The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-18
VOTERS LEAGUE
REPORT IS OUT
First Document Puts Coed Gov
eminent Up to the Individ-
ual Citizen.
NEXT REPORT TO PICK
MEN WHOM LEAGUE o. KS.
Recommendations Will Be Based
On Merit Without Regard
to Party.

After several months spent in per-
fecting it's organization and in inves-
|tigation, the Minneapolis Voters league
makes its first report today.
Politicians interested in the campaign
affecting aldermen and the county
league report in order to get a line on
that organizations methods. To- !
days report, however, is only a
starter Making a general review of
council conditions, it proceeds to sum-
Marie the records Of the thirteen re-
firing aldermen, some Of whom seek
reelection. Facts are stated and no
recommendations made. Later, as
soon as possible after Aug. 80, the
final day for candidates to file, the
dealing with the qualifications of all
candidates, recommendations to the
voters as between candidates In each
ward.
The third and final report will app
pear just prior to the election in No
the nominees Of the respective
parties, and will also include recon-
mendations. Also, there may be is
sued before the primaries. and before
the final election, special reports deal
ing with individual ward conditions
and candidates, intended solely for
ward circulation.
In the case Of the county commits
sioners, the league will issue reports
similar to those dealing with candi-
dates for the council.
! The active management Of the af-
fairs Of the Voters league is in the
hands of an executive committee of
seven members. Reinforcing this
committee is an advisory committee of
| siXty-five members, including many of
the best-known Of the city's' business
and professional men. The organf-
cation grew out Of the conviction Of
a large number of philosophical citi-
zens that there was urgent call for inn
provement Of municipal affairs in
Minneapolis, and that to effect such
Improvement and make it permanent,
there must be a permanent agency at
work. The organization in method
and scope follows closely those of the
! Chicago Municipal Voters league,
which has been. such a tremendous
factor in council regeneration in that
city.
The Report in Full.
!. The Minneapolis Voters league here
! with submits it's initial report on the
l city council and the records OF the
retiring aldermen:
The purpose of the Voters league
is to acquaint the community with the
actual state of affairs in the city coun-
Gil; to insist upon a higher standard
Of official duty and efficiency in that
4 BODY; TO present a Ialr anu dcCuTdCS
! account Of the main issues of coun-
i ell administration, and to put before
the voters in a fearless and impartial
manner the official records of the peo.
pies servants.
The league will seek to Impress
upon the voters the conviction that
honesty and capacity, and not part.
ian services or good fellowship, are
the essential qualifications for munici-
pal office. 1t also purposes to aid
them in practical way to make an
intelligent choice between candidates
by acquainting them with the facts as
10 the official records and personal
qualifications Of such candidates. The
league will do it's work without per-
sonal or party bias. It will base It's
report on the qualifications of candi-
dates and it's recommendations for
: office solely on the facts Of personal
: merit and official service. In this
: work it recognizes no such thing as
; friendship or pull Everybody con-
, cerned will get the same fair treat
: ment, irrespective of his politics or
f his social and financial status.
! The condition Of affairs in the pres
5 ent city council offers many Interest,"
3 ing points for the local student CT
3 municipal administration There are
s defects due to the council system;
S there are defects due to the council
Q personnel.