The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-01

/A\ was tho synonym for oil that
" y bad '' and d'srepnsa01o in city
governments, Tho tongue o
government. Tho tongue Of
scandal had spread this rnr beyond tho
State, and cvon beyond tho confines Of
tho Nation. Year by year tho honesty
and ability of tho Council wero becoming
IONS were compelled by mingled sonso
OF pride md shame. MS we'll as for the
protection Of public interests. to search
for Some means OF relief. Aftor various
unsuccessful efforts tho. Municipal yo-
tors League was organized In 1896, Tor
the purpose Of calling tho attention OF
the mass OF votoru to q proper view OF
public questions, md particularly to the
necessity OF exercising greater care In
the selection OF candidates for nldermnn:o
positions. This League Is composed OF
men we'll known In the business ana pro-
fesslonnl walks OF life, who h~ve realized
the necessity OF IorceSul and drastic
methods to stem the tide OF corruption
and dishonesty In the Common Council.
1t was therefore obvious that tho first
task toward which tho Voters League
should direct its attention was to secure
an honest Council. Franchise values were
being voted away with alarming rapldity,
and without any regard for the public
interest. Machine and ward politicians
Of dubious character held sway and con-
troll over tho Council; their will was law.
and from positions OF ignorance and OBJ
ri 10, - a
Of power and opulence. AS in many other
cities Of tho country, tho Common Coun-
ell of Chicago was at this time a traves-
ty upon representative and democratic
government. Public service corporations
bought valuable rights. and the citizen
stood helpless to protect his interests.
We are now to trace briefly the work
Of the Voters League. which has become
a Transforming power in the municipal
politics Of Chicago. The League was or
ganlzed on q non-partisan basis, and In
vted the cooperation Of all persons who
wore Interested In tho well-being and
good name Of the city of Chicago.
But, Ike most associations Of It's kind,
tho main work was to fall upon tho
shoulders OF a few mon. Tho Offices of
tho League, during municipal cam
pagn, become tho political clearing
house Of the city. The methods employed
by tho League are simple and direct, but
entirely unique FOR their open and fear
less criticism Of candidates who seek
place In tho Common Council. The League
first devoted its attention to tho gather
Ing Of Information cor cerning the candi-
dates who we're nominated by the differ
ent parties In tho various wards. This
Involved a great task, because Of the
number of candidates concerned and tho
y, f1t, 4>,
be sought before the officers of the
League formulated their conclusions. AS
soon as the campaign is on, 1t begins
Its work, which consists quite largely in
commencing and indorsing worthy candi-
dates and In exposing and rejecting those
who have been found weak and wanting.
This part of its work has greatly Inn
proved during the last two or three
years by reason Of the fact that an ex-
tenslve canvass Of all prospective cand-
dates has been carefully made, and their
public and private records are securely
filed away. This canvass has been care
fully and systematically done ard Is
fundamental to tho success and purposes
Of the League. Every bit Of information
Is followed to Its source. and the utmost
care exercised by the committee In or
der that Its conclusions may be safe
and secure. Persons arc secretly en-
ployed to gather these facts, and are
often Independently set at work upon
the record Of q given man. This poll Of
the prospective candidates in each ward
Is entirely unique, believe in the field
Of reform, and It's effectiveness is album
dainty shown in the results which have
followed. Thus, In the heat Of tho cam
paign the labor of collecting this infor-
nation does not fall upon the commit
tees. and their efforts may be directed
to other matters.
A oil N Sapfq NHncerpf n o. n NH,
lilo and private record of the candidate
are fully worked out. II found question
able ne Is called into the office Of the
committee and given chance to be
heard in his own defense. or withdraw
from the race, before the committee
makes public Its statement. If he still
decides to continue. he does SO with thu
knowledge that the essential facts OF hi
public and private l!Se will be given K
the voter under the official seal OF tn,
League. The leading papers OF the cit.
render generous aid by giving these re
ports Il prominent place in their columns
as we'll as by editorial support Thes,
comments arc made up of brief state
ments OF those public and private act
Of each candidate which are considere,
essential IN determining his efficiency a.
| an Alderman. No partisan ship is show
In tho preference. but often both candi
dates arc re1ecteu as equally bad and dan
gerous. And, on the other hand, both ar,
| often Endorsed az equally worthy of sup
port. With uhese facts fully before tn
| public. the voter is urged to make hi
! choice in the interests OF honest ant
| efficient government. The nature of thes
bits OF information can be no better con
| yeyed than by tho insertion OF the char
4 acter!zation OF three or four candidate
| who sought election to the Commo
Council In tho campaign this spr!ne
4 They are copies from the press reports
and may DO taken as unique models o
choice biography.
.......FARD.
........Dem resides 1904 Michiga
Avenues; self-styled banker with ONO
In room 2l0, 2l3 La Sale Street: hnishin
four term in Council commonly know
as 'Bath-house;" formerly rubber /
Turkish bath; afterward saloon keepe,
to which occupation no has lately adde