Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-04
CIVIC LEAGUE.
Continued from page ~

First, to relieve Secretary Pringle of
the editorial responsibility of the Rec
ord; second, to organize the citizens of
the State who are in sympathy with our
purpose wherever it seemed practical
BILE, in order to secure a more agrees
sive participation of the moral forces
in the duties Of practical politics; third.
to assist Secretary Pringle in sustain
ing the finances of the league.
In regard to assuming the editorial
management of the Record, l wish to
say that 1 found Mr.. Pringles manage
ment of the paper, Notwithstanding the
fact that his other duties made it a
side issue, was so skillful and the paper
edited ION the run" so to speak, was so
satisfactory that / shrank from at
, tempting to give him the relief you
proposed. Not until the April number
did 1 assume the editorial responsible
, ity for the Record. In holding back
from relieving my associate SO long
time was given me to become acquaint-
ed with the real drift and purpose of
the paper and to prevent in some meas
ure the serious and sudden decline in
quality which / felt sure would inevi-
tably follow the change of editors. Mr.
the standard of the paper, contributing
each month articles which his expert
ence makes especially valuable.
1t cannot be doubted that the Record
is an agency of great effectiveness in
stimulating interest in the purposes of
the league among our constituents and,
as honest and faithful officials. discov-
er the real attitude of the league to-
ward them, they recognize the Record
as friend, sorce of encouragement
and assistance in prosecuting their diff
ficult duties. The growing list OF sub
scribers among the faithful officials of
the State is evidence of this fact.
The purpose of organization, as / con-
ceived it, is to secure the prompt and
aggressive action of the best citizens
in behalf of good government. This
conception is based upon the belief that
government is an ordinance of God.
Hence, Christian people above all 9TH
ers must of necessity have duties and
responsibilities in civic affairs. To be
passive or Indifferent to civic duties is
for the Christian to be dislOyal to his
God as we'll as to the State.
The work of organization assigned
me is one requiring discretion, time and
patience. The present need of organ
iZation by us is not everywhere appa-
rent. In somewhat rare instances the
management of civic affairs in a COM
munty is in the hands of the best cit
liens and the moral forces prevail. In
such COMMITTEES there seems to be no
present call for further organization by
the league. In other localities the pow
er of the ring" is so supremacy domi-
nant that it is difficult to awaken hope
or courage in those who claim to be
good citizens. Where the need of Or
ganiZation is greatest it is most diff
cult to secure. Progress is being made,
however. and though no complete coun-
ty or State organization has yet been
committees in the State which are
much better prepared for uniting the
moral forces upon definite moral issues
by virtue of the simple organization
which We have secured. Patient and
persistent continuance of this kind of
work will inevitably bring the best
class of citizens to the front in civic af-
fairs. A higher quality of officials in
all departments of government will be
honored in having the enthusiastic sup
port of the best citizens.
give my associate. Mr.. Pringle. upon
bility of the league is recorded in the
condensed financial statement herewith
submitted:
Amount of collections from Dec.
l. 1903, to May l. 1904. s640.36
Disbursements for same time for
supplies, clerk hire, travelling,
postage, etc, 1914
Applied to salary sii292
Hon. George l.. Crosman of Saco was
then heard on the subject. THE De-
mand for a Higher Quality of Candi-
dates for office. How shall it be met?
Mr. Crosman is fluent speaker and
treated his subject in a highly interest
ing manner. He was listened to closely
and loudly applauded at the close Of his
remarks. Hon. c. L. Dunn of Houlton
spoke very interestingly of the condi-
tions which exist along the northeast
boundary of Maine in his address on
1.-The Boundary Line Nuisance" Mr..
Dunn portrayed the existing conditions
in a manner, telling of the line stores
and of the manner in which the bars
are located in them SO as to eVade the
clutches of the officials on both sides
of the line. Mr.. Dunn said that petit
ton has been sent to Washington to
have these stores removed and that the
people in the towns along the border
will soon have a constitutional right
to deruolish these stores. practical
Politics. was the subject of the adj
dress by Horace Purinton of Waterville
and it was ably handled. Rev. J. w.
Hatch of Belfast spoke on THE De-
mand of the Hour In Waldo County
telling of the conditions existing there
and of the ways in which they can be
remediad. Rev. Fl. N. Pringle had n
very interesting paped on 1.-The Plans
and Possibilities of Civic League
Work" Mr.. Pringle spoke as follows:
THE plans of the Civic League of
Maine are circumscribed by the small
number of men engaged in it's work
and the great area of our state which
comprises half of New England. The
Massachusetts Anti-Saloon league en-
ployes five men and in the same space
is another temperance organization do
ing similar work with six salaried
workmen.
Since our last annual meeting the
efficiency of the Civic league has been