The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-12-01
FROM -FOUR STATES
NOTED MEN AGAINST PARTY
eossisM GATHERED IN
NEW. YORK
Mayor Tom johnson Favors "The Pow
or Of Recall" Which Gives the
People Power to "uneieot"
Officers Who Fail r.
Do Their Duty.

New York, Nov. 2S.-Men who have
made the battle against party bossism
In the domination of political parties
and elections In at least four states
sat side by side and spoke fearlessly
of their political opinions, their deeds
and their future aspirations along the
lines of political reform at the DO
litical independence dinner given by
the City club of New York tonight.
At the speakers table and address,
ing the meeting we're District Attor-
ney William r. Jerome of New York,
Mayor John Weaver OF Philadelphia,
Mayor Tom l.. johnson of Cleveland,
Everett Colby, state senator OF Essex
county, N. j.; Mark M. Pagan, mayor
of Jersey City; George l.. Record,
comptroller of Jersey CITY; Peter Fin
ley Dunne of Chicago, Sir q. z. Clarke,
II. Fulton Cumming, James Gordon.
Jacob III. Schiff and Julien T. Davies.
Austin G.. Fox, attorney for William
II. Hearst. was toastmaker. Among
the 800 gusts present were some OF
the most prominent reformers and
business men of New York
District Attorney jerome was the
frs speaker. He attacked poll ical
bosses, particularly Leader Murphy OF
Tammany Hall, and offered sugges-
tions for political reform which were
loudly applauded. He recommended
ballot in New York and other states.
with or without the use of the patty
emblem on the ballot, and declared
that the number of elective Offices now
voted for ought to be reduced. The.
sensation OF his address was an at
tack upon the judiciary of the city of
New York, which he declared, with
few exceptions. is corrupt and under
the domination of political bosses or
business interests, and recommended
that supreme. court judges ought not
to he elected by the people.
Mayor Weaver was given a big ova
ton. He told OF his fight against ring
rule" in Philadelphia and recommends.
ed ballot reform, the divorcing Of Of
fee hoi4ers from political party Or
ganizations and declared that the law
ought to make it crime Tor candi-
dates to use money in elections.
either directly or indirectly.
Mayor Johnson of Cleveland de-
clared that to Lincoln Stelfens, the
author. more than tora other one
man, the city of Philadelphia and the
state of Ohio owed their deliVerance
from the domination Of political
bosses" He recommended that the
power of recall" the law now opera
tive in Los Angeles, CAL, which gives
to the peor'e the power to ''unelect"
officers who fail to perform their du-
ties to the satisfaction of the electors
Is the only remedy for the evils o.
the present political system.
There are two extremes in poll
tics" he said, "the plutocracy or con-
servative element. and the socialist.
One is as rulnous as the other" He
made reafIirmation of the principles
of municipal ownership, of which he
is an exponent. and uttered optimistic
predictions of future political condi-
lions.
The other speakers followed along
the same line until the dinner re-
solved itself into what might be called
an "experience meeting" of men who
have successfully made political fights
I'm the name of reform. Everett Colby
of New Jersey recommended a direct
primary law.
There was informal talk of the or
ganizaticn of a national league for the
propagation of ideals of civic right
eousness. but It was not taken Off
cial motion of nt the dinner