The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-20
BAL IInOR[ VOTERS
FORM A LEAGUE
Modelled After Similar Body
III Chicago.
SEEKS NoN-PARTIsAN ENDS
VIII Take Part in Municipal Campaign,
Supporting Only Good Men
for Councils.
SEEKS NoN-PARTIsAN ENDS

BALTIMORE, Feb. 20.-Baitimore has
launched its municipal voters league,
for the purpose eof forcing the two great
parties to place in nominat ton for the
city officers, particularly members of the
city councils. men whose public and pri-
yate records will entitie them to nom
partisan support.
Fourteen weIl-known men of both par
ties. led by John Z. Semmes. met In
MIR. Semmes' office Wednesday evening.
and after e!ecting David IIutzler, q mil
lionaire merchant, as president. and VIII
liam II. BuckIer as secretary, appointed
a committee TO call general meeting ~
the citizens interested in good govern
ment for home affairs At this meeting
an executive committee OF nine members
viii be given charge of the work.
The seed sown by Governor WarfIeId
IN his banquet speech d few weeks ago
has sprung into vigorous life. and the
machine politicians OF both parties are
vastly surprised at the growth of the.
sentiment to force non-partisan rule tE
this city.
Chicago Its Model.
The plan Of the association, which may
be considered permanent fixture in the
municipal life Of the city, Is on lines
similar TO thatof the Municipal Voters
League of Chicago. which has worked
wonders In the windy town.
The constitution under which the
league will work provides as follows:
The purpose is TO secure an efficient
and honest government for the city Of
Baltimore: the nomination and election
Of the best city officers without regard
object the league is to investigate the
character, public and private, OF every
person nominated for office and publicly
announce its findings. The league will
n 80 all In fI<.-
termIu alton OF all municipal questions
Gf Importance TO the city, and to COR
later appear. Every citizen OF Baltimore
who approves the objects OF the assocfa-
ton may become a member.
TO member Of the executive commit
tee of the league may be candidate for
Office while member of the committee.
The general committee IS 10 number 100.
twenty-five to retire each year. and their
places to De filed by new members.
Won't Make Nominations.
The question Of actually nominating
candidates was discussed, it arising on
the proposition that neither party might
nominate a fit candidate. The league
finally decided to make no nominations
In any event, following the Chicago plan
Of refusing to indorse either candidate
under such circumstances and awaiting
the announcement of an independent
candidate who, IL worthy of support,
would De given the lea que 3 filQorseIneIiIr
What is hoped to be accomplished by
the league IS best stated by ChaarTna.
Semmes:
| I'VE, in the face OF the great expen-
dftures to be made for public improve
| nents, feel that the time has come 20.
take the handling OF the sums out OF
the hands OF the politicians and for
| once let the people get their money 3
worth. We are organizing 10 force
the politicians TO do their duty and
give us flrst-cIass men In the councils
and other municipal offices.
I'VE are organizing the voters 10
awaken in them the idea that while
parties are ali right. the people are
greater than the bosses, End that the
bosses must execute the ill Of the
people. We want good. honest m.sn 10
spend the millions VIC are going 70
raise by taxation We are going 10
obliterate party lines IN home govern
rnent if possible. IF the bosses Won {
do their duty we will try and defeat
their candidates. We are going to The
| last ditch to defeat an unworthy caEsdi-
date"
lTf1e first test of the leagues effective
ness Will be shown with the May stec-
ton. at which twenty-fouT members
OF the first ir.sncl: e councils and four
members OF the second branch are TO
| he elected.