Middletown transcript., 1905-05-13
THE NEW CITIZENS LEAGUE
Formed by Convention at Dover to Work
for Purity of Elections

tVh vs. A<A<StsVAAc
DOVER, DEL, May 11th.-A Delaware
Citizens League was formed here to-day,
to improve the condition of political af-
fairs iu Delaware, and to give the voters
of the state the privilege of voting on the
question of license or 10 license to sch in
toxicating liquors.
Republicans, Democrats and Prohibit
tionists made up the large assemblage
which filled the Century Club rooms.
Among the prominent politicians of the
state who joined with the Prohibitionists
in effecting the organization of this
League were: John p. Holland Milford,
delegate to the National convention from
the Democratic party of Delaware; State
Auditor George H. Dick, Regular Repub-
lican; President George M. Stevenson of
the Kent County Poor Trustees, Union
Republican; D. J. Fooks Of Laurel, Demo-
crat; Former Congressman Walter o.
Hoffecker of Smyrna, Union Republican;
w. HI. Franklin of Harrington Republi-
can; Garrett S. Harrington of Harrington,
Democrat.
The object of the league is to force upon
the Two principal political parties the ne
cessity OF the nomination of men who
will be favorable to local option and the
purity of elections. Should they fail to
accede to the request of the leaguers,
they will have to contend with a separate
Citizens League ticket.
The opponents to the local option in
the last Legislature were vigorously de-
nounced, especially i'll regard to tie
Kent County local option bill, and some
sensational statements were made as TO
the efforts that had been made to inditt
for perjury those members of the Legisla-
ture who failed to vote for the measure, in |
compliance With the constitutional RI.
quirements.
The convention as .embled at 1890, |
President Robert Watt Of the State Tenn
perance Alliance, presiding. The Rev. |
Ralph 7. Coursey of Milton, led a song
service. Mrs. ]. X. Barney of Provi-
dence, K. l., National evangelist of the |
Women's Christian Temperance Union,
pray ed that the meeting might not be
simply conference for the passage of
resolutions, but that deep foundations be
laid for great work for righteousness and
for the redemption Of the state from the
thraldom of the saloon.
Remarking upon the objects of the
meeting, DIR. Watt declared that the sit
uation which confronts the righteous
people of Delaware to-day and the men,
bers of this convention, sis not of our
own making" He declared that the
logic of events dictate to us that we arrive
at some plan of campaign which the con-
scientious voters of to-day can stand upon,
fight upon and win upon.
Presiding Elders NJ. Morgan of Dover,
the Rev. s. w. Lightbourne of Middle
town, T. E. Terry of Laurel, C. w. Pretty
man OF New Castle, Alfred Smith of Dover,
Presiding Elder A. S. Mowbray of Will
mington John P. Holland and B. F. B.
Woodall, both of Milford, were appointed
a committee to draft a declaration of
principles for debate.
The Rev. George p. Jones of Milford,
the Rev. Howard 7. Quigg of George
town, Presiding Elder w. G. Koons of
Smyrna, Mrs. L. w. Emerson, president
of the Wilmington w. G. T. T., and Mrs.
Mary B. Bonnell of Newark, president of
the New Castle County W. c. T. u,
were appointed committee OH nomina-
tons.
The Rev. c. 7. Wyatt, the Rev. E. H.
Nelson, the Rev. w. o. Hurst, George
w. Todd and Lewis NJ. Price were ap-
pointed a finance committee to audit the
accounts of President Watt, and devise a
financial system for the progress of the
work.
Zone of the chief attorneys of the re-
cent legislature" said DIR. Watt in his
address, gave as his professional opinion
that the word 'shall' in the constitution
may often be interpreted and often mean
may think he ought to be chief
Justice of the United States if he lives
long enough.
81 solicited the opinion of Attorney.
General Richards and Former Attorney
General Ward whether every member OF
that Legislature who voted against the
ocal option bill for Kent County would
not be committing perjury in violating
heir oaths. Each said they would. l
asked them if We could not proceed
against them for perjury, for l believe
would do God and my country justice
BY putting some of these false represen-
,atives in Jail, and was prepared to sign
Ill the warrants myself. They informed
ne, however, that the only way they
'ould be reached was by expulsion.
"The time has come in the history of
Delaware when parties must be subordi-
lated. 1t has gotten beyond politics. 1t
9 now question of plain American
which confronts u.s.
He then told, briefly, of the efforts
made to secure local option legislation
lnder the liberal constitutional provision
howing that further effort appeared USE
ess.
Rev. A. w. Lightbourne, Phi. d., A. G,
Jox, William Brockson, George F. Wilson
nd William r. Kates wara the dalaootas |