The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-02-19
LAROCHE is LEADER
PLACED AT HEAD OF THE UNION
CLUB.
FIFTEEN VICE PRESIDENTS.
CLUBS AVowED PURPOSE is TO
DOWN THE RING.


of the Club to Activity, and Warn
ed Them That the Opposition Is
Made Up of Trained Political
TricI<sters Who Can BE Taught
Nothing AbOut the Little Game.
First Victory of the Liberal Club
Recalled - Slater, Hohenstein,
BIase and krOuskoR the other
SDenkers-Mr. slater Said Hard
Things About the Administration.
MIR. KrOuslSOR's characteristics
Speech.
With Mr.. Walter p. LaRoche as
president the Union Club was perman-
emily organizer at Masonic Hall last
night to oppose the administration
forces. The members of the club ex-
pressed themselves as being perfectly
satisfied at the size of the meeting,
which was termed only a preliminary
one.
David L. Christian was made secre-
tary and fifteen Independents were
elected. They are; Col. P. w. Meldrim,
Louis c. Blase, Miller Bearman, Edwin
NJ. Frank, William Gibbons, P. II.
Gearon, Charles " Hohenstein, Col
John Juchter, Capt, C. Konemann,
Capt. f.. A. Leonard, James McCosker,
Thomas H. Mcmillan, William F. Sla-
ter, John w. Smith and Anton p.
Wright. Those of the vice presidents
who were present occupied seats on the
stage.
In presenting it's report naming Of
ficers the special committee announced
that the object of the club is
to arouse amongst the voters of Chat
ham county an interest in our local
political situation, with a view, to de-
feating the political ring now dominat-
ing our home government, and doing
away with the extravagant spoils Sys-
tie now infiicting our community, to
elect competent men to office, to require
the practice of strict economy in every
department in the city and county, to
reduce the enormous taxation, now
burdening our citizens, to the lowest
possible basis, and to promote gener-
ally the public welfare"
Mr.. LaRoche accepted the presi-
dency in graceful manner, and urged
the club to get together all it's energy
and devotion to make it a successful
factor in the coming political cam
paigns in Chatham county. He said
that the club had opposed to it men
skilled in political chicanery, but that
those who know much about politics
predict its success if it is properly run.
The first meeting must of necessity be
the baby meeting, he said but he pre-
dicted that before the close of the
month a meeting of the club will mean
a mammoth gathering.
The president spoke of the se-called
conservative element and of those who
are opposed to clubs. In many cases,
he said they are of no more value to
community than the citizen whose
names do not appear on the registra-
ton books. He spoke of the trained
schemers, tricksters and experts in the
opposing columns, and of the habit of
registering some newcomer in each
voting district, thus giving one man as
many as or votes. He declared that
club organization is the only thing
that can keep down such corruption,
and the stuffing of ballot boxes by
trained political managers. The
registration books should be close
ly guarded Those opposed to
political clubs, he said, would, by their
actions, permit the ring crowd to re-
main in power forever if it could
Mr.. LaRoche said that never before
had a club started under such happy
auspices. He recalled the glorious vic
tory of the old Liberal Club in gloomy
days, and of the defeat that followed.
He thought that the club could
a similar victory can be won.
The president said that in adj
dition to the old crowd there is a
strong Jewish following, where in the
old Liberal Club days there were hard
ly any Jews in the ranks, the fine
sprinkling of Crackers and of the
grand old conservative German Amer
too, al vf,,nr NTY. on
with such a combination there can be
only victory.
Mr. Blase was called upon and
thanked the club for his election as
vice president. He received by far
more the most pronounced applause
accorded any of the speakers. Mr..
Blase's remarks were brief, but he an
nounced his allegiance to the new
club.
Mr. Slater thought that the people
have cause for complaint. There is
much dissatisfaction in the ranks of
the opposition, he said and the people
will not trust the majority of those
holding officers with their private bust
ness affairs. Taxes are extremely high
he said and the enormous bonded debt
of the city. as high as the constitution
of the state will permit, is attracting
attention! He declared that taxation
has become a burden upon the people.
He spoke of increases in salaries, pros
badly he said for the purpose of helping
along a campaign fund. He charged
that some of those who draw these sal
aries scarcely now what they are
supposed to do, and their only acts
are to sign the payroll once a month.
He declared il these individuals did
all of their work on a Sunday it would
be impossible to secure evidence enough
to convict them of breaking the Sab
bath, and if they were sold for horses
they wouldn't bring a dollar each.
MIR. Hohenstein told the members of
the club what should be done to as
sure victory, and just how TO do it.
Hes spoke earnestly and went over
the ground thoroughly, as he sees it.
He warned the members of the clue
that they must win the fight for the
Legislature and with this victory the
contest for municipal offices will be
easy. He urged that the club work to
get control of the next Legislature.
Mr.. S. Krouskoff was called upon
and made a characteristic speech
which caught the crowd. He said that
II he thought that the club had been
organized for the sole purpose OF put
ting those who are in out, and getting
control of the city for the spois, he
would take no part in its delibera tons
He Joined the movement because he
thought IL to the best interest of the
city.
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