Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-11-26

- 49, ~ -a@I SAt 49,
coined. They have the right to join
what church they want to, what secret
societies they want TO, and certainly
ought to be privileged to Join a po-
litical association which advocates and
teaches the doctrines which they be-
lieve in. There are probably about
six hundred or seven hundred out of
the twelve hundred police officers In
st. Louis who are members Of the JEFF
ferson Club. Six hundred or seven
hundred members out of 1900 men,
bers certainly would not give them the
domination of the organization, as IS
claimed by Republican speakers,
At various times in its history the
Jefferson Club has been differed by
some of the most distinguished Dem
ocrats in the City of st. Louis. Its
officers to-day consist Of some of u
best business and professional men.
The treasurer of the association, who
receives and disburses all Of its
moneys, is Mr.. T. r. Ballard, at the
present time president of the Mer-
chants Exchange of st. Louis, an hon
orable man, of unquestioned character
and standing in our community, who
certainly would not deposit into bank
any money coming from Objectionable
sources, nor would he sign his name
to a check for money to be spent in
any improper way.
The character of the membership Of
the Jefferson Club is that which might
naturally be expected. 1t has on its
roster almost every Democrat in the
City of 81. Louis who takes an active
part in the PRONUNCIATION of the doc
trines of Thomas jefferson and in the
advocacy of good state and municipal
government. You will find the names
Of our most distinguished lawyers and
bankers. mechanics and men from all
walks of life.
There Is 40 restriction upon join
ing the club other than that the mem
Der pledges himself to support the
platform and candidates Of the Dem
ocratic party. This naturally brings
good men of all kinds together. |
have seen seated at the tables Of the
Jefferson Club some of our foremost
citizens, men learned in the law and
high in the councils of finance, side
by side with teamsters, drivers, clerks
and laborers. | would not have the
membership, IL | could, of any other
character.
1t could not be a Democratic club
and be exclusive. It numbers in its
membership many poor men, who are
loyalty supporting their party, who
do not seek Office or want reward OF
any kind. They contribute their Sc q
year as do the rich men. They march
in our parades and attend our meet
ings, and they have their voice in all
that appertains TO the government Of
the club.
The Jefferson Club has no boss" as
did the old city organization. Each
year an election is held, Judges, CLERKS
and challengers are appointed. Tho
polls open at . o'clock In the morning
and close at 8 o'clock at night. Any
member may become a candidate fol
president whose friends desire to place
him in nomination. Each member
votes for the officer OF his choice. The
president of the jefferson Club Is mo-
a sel~f-selected, s~elf-sppointed boss
He is elected by the members Of thu
organization. If he loses their conf
dence or esteem. or displays incapacity
for the work for which he has beer
selected, they can at the mex annua'
election replace him by a NOR suit.
able officer.
The members of the Jefferson Clul
are opposed to bosses" to "bossism'
in politics, but believe in leadership
There is no body or circle of men oil
women who are not influenced by some
one person. Each church choir has
its leader, each sewing society of WON
en- has one directing spirit. in each
board of directors there will be found
one man who takes the lead and
through force of character or superior
ability guides the rest. This is true
Of q family-it may be the husband
the father. II may be the wife, or II
may be the daughter, that dominates
or directs. But in all walks Of life
in all conditions of the affairs of men
where men and ome come together
some one compelling force, either By
virtue of superior will power, greater
intellectual ability or lofty moral quail
ifications, becomes a leader or what
is sometimes termed a boss" This
will always be o In the nature Of
things 1t must be so. We find 1t true
in animal and bird life as we find Il
true in human affairs. This leader IN
politics is always called by the oppo'
sition the boss" In financial circles
he is still the boss" although he IL
there called a dominating force. In
the church he is a leader, and the WON
en- that preside over our households IN
their sphere are also the bosses"
The jefferson Club, however. doei
not confne its work exclusively to pol
itics in a practical sense. 1t has it'
Ideals and its charities, The annual
newsboys' dinner in which the LITTLE
E~e0l.eUlSn Vi tue oitccb dio lui hioiiSe
with a healthy meal, with caps, hat
or sweaters, to keep their heads ant
little stomachs warm, is certainly 9
commendable work. In the summer
We furnish ice to the poor, and in the
winter we furnish coal, Efforts ar'
being made at the present time to col
lect all of the cast-of clothing OF oul
members, the same TO be cleaned
mended and put in shape, for distribu'
ton among the needy poor.
I know of no finer piece Of senti'
menialism, combined with good practi'
cal politics, than the trip which thu
jefferson Club took back to old Vir'
elnia to the home of Thomas Jefferson
Two hundred and fifty men Travelled
nearly a thousand miles to Monticello
They CLIMBED the mountain, headed by
their drum corps dressed as Colonia
soldiers, the members carrying flags
and visited tie old home of Jefferson
and there on his front steps, in 9
sublime and picturesque spot, com
manding a view of historic ground. dot
ted over with graves of distinguished
men who played conspicuous parts II
the early history Of our country, Il
was sought to revive an interest in th'
teachings Of the father Of Democracy
Ills work for humanity was reviewed
"a. polftfea1 doctrines