The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-20
ADDRESSES
YOUNG
MEMS CLUB
Gov. Garvln Speaks on GOOD
Government In tho Vssfry OF
First Presbyterian Church.


There was a most enthusiastic sa.ns
ing OF the Young Mems club OF the parisn
an the vestry OF the First flesus. ,.'a, 80
church on clifford street last evening 70
welcome Governor Garvin, the speaker
OF the evening, who was 20 denver Hn
address on How Good Government May
be Had" ,rS.
shortly after o'clock when Rev. Thos'
A. Fenton called the meeting TO oroer tne
room was full. and as an Introductory
20 the proceedings there was Ne1y
sxcellent rendition of piano SOLO py
Mr Newsome. one OF the members or
the church. -
This was applauded heartily. Then pr.
starritt. the musical director, rendered
vocal selection that was applauoeo 20 ,ne
echo. SO appreciative of the seiecuon
was the crowd that II would not be 81
,enced till the second had been hearo'
which was equally we'll receiVeu
After that Rev. Fenton introduced 'he
governor, who spoke as follows
Ry good government I do not mean an
administration which makes no mistakes
That degree of perfection Is not 10 De ex-
pectsd SO long as man In fallipie' But
the conduct OF a government. either city
or state, should be equally GOOD ana
similar I'm character TO that OF sue
cessfui private corporation.
1t Is perfectly safe TO say that no city
or state I'm this country remotely sp-
proaches to such degree OF success
Nor do / believe II 10 be possible 10
secure continuous good government under
existing conditions. Tho conditions 10
which I refer are the overwhelming IN
fiuences OF money in elections ana the
tremendous power possessed py party
primaries and conventions.
- sAl.s hxFf T.
penditure is shown by the fact that with
nca rcely an exception the richest party
ss. and for many years has been. domi-
uent in every state. In the southern states
A Is the Democratic party; In the north-
ern states the Republican party; and,
few years ago. in the Rocky Mountain
states, the temporarily wealthiest silver
Party.
Money counts In campaigns and cleo
tions I'm several ways. First. Il secures
n powerful organization with a dictator,
An common parlAnce a boss. In command
With unlimited money at his disposal ne
pays the expenses OF party clubs when
necessary; he has a small army OF we'll
paid hired subordinates; he supplies MS
favorite candidates with funds for pack
ing the party caucuses. and denies to IN
dependent members of his party all pc
cuniary aid in securing their nominations.
Occasionally. I'm straits. when strong
opposition forces upon him degree or
good behavior, he puts forward as a decoy
an attractive candidate for some snowy
but unimportant office, never, however.
IN such numbers as to endanger MS con-
troll Of legislation. But In any event,
the political machine OF the monied party
controls absolutely the destiny OF every
aspirant of that party for public office.
IL goes without saying that the ricnsr
party can conduct costly campaign,
hiring bands and halls and distributing
literature without stint, whilst It's op-
ponent Is fortunate II 1t can reach the
public in the most modest manner.
The second way in which money Is used
by the boss to maintain the supremacy
of his party is In various kinds OF ex-
penditures on election day. Some uf these
expenses are called Legitimate" such
rs paying for carriages, for workers about
the polls, etc. but In many states Tar
greater portion OF the immense sums sub
scrfbed is expended corruptly. Money LIS
thus used not only to buy votes outright,
but to hire the services OF workers OF
opposing parties and OF persons known to
have some Influence with voters.
But a time comes during the reign OF
the moneyed party when all OF the above
combined are insufficient to overcome the
public desire for a change. so-called
tidal wave arises which threatens to
carry everything before It. Influential
men OF the dominant party are ready 10
1oin hands with an opposition party In
order TO secure that change, and a revolu-
tion Is begun which In theory Is never TO
70 backward 1t &c at this Juncture that
the boss is ready TO concede anything In
the way OF figurehead candidates. He will
even welcome reformers TO places OF hon
or but little power. Indeed. he will do al
most anything to break up the formida-
BILE combination which Is being formed
Fusion Is his bette noire.
IL IL at this stage OF the game that a
big campaign fund becomes most effec-
Tive. For money shrewdly invested can
prevent fusion and carry confusion into
the ranks OF the poorer party. IL can Sc
cure the substitution of weak opposing
candidates for strong ones. Seemingly IL
succeeds In working the miracle OF caus-
ing a revolution to 60 backward. Indeed
the boss sometimes succeeds In playing
both sides OF the game. With his right
hand he moves his own pieces 20 win;
with his left he moves the pieces OF the
opposing party. and plays give away.
With our present machinery OF elections.
the power OF the caucus In monstrous. IL
is no uncommon thing for the presiding
o6iter OF a caucus TO pay no heed 10
ounter-nominations. 10 declare the can
didates who receive a minority OF votes
the cnOice or the caucus, ana declare the
meeting adjourned contrary 10 the vote OF
the electors present Under our law this
can be done In thirty-three OF the thirty
eight cities and towns OF the state The
nominations 80 made by the presiding Of
hcer go upon the official ballot as the
regular party candidates. All that the
etate machine needs 90 do I'm order TO die
tate nominauons by a party In these
towns is TO buy the services OF the per-
son who calls the caucus 10 order. Give
MIN enough money, and II venal and
shrewd he will do all the rest
In three OF the cities OF the state such
outrages are prevented In a measure by
the caucus law. but the dominance Of the
party caucus and convention IL excessive
and the rights OF individual voters are
grossly traspassed upon.
venting the rich people ~ any electorate
from allying themselves with one marty
the only remedy for the evils pointed on,
n 20 lessen the power OF the caucus.
Temporarily. ~ IL true. persistent inde-
pendent voting can do much. IN thinkIns
and independent citizens are Determined
that the tricks which prevented fusion.
md which have created confusion IN the