Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-10

report of President Herbert c. Libby Of
the Maine Referendum league, read at
the meeting i'll this city, Tuesday even
ing.
officers and Members of the League
take very great pleasure in sub
hitting to you my annual report as
President. together with some sug-
gestions and recommendations for the
future gooo of our League
l believe we have reason to feel
sratified over what the League has
accomplished since its organization in
September 1905. Like most organiZa-
lions. founded upon broad lines Of
human interest and Civic hopefulness
with nothing behind the movement
involved except a few earnest mon who
saw in the triumph of it's principles a
step toward a more consistent
Democracy, it could not be differently
than that it's initial growth would be
slow and steady. Similarly TO like
organization, this very slowness and
steadiness of growth has lent a
strength. certainty and permanancy to
the movement that is entirely COM
parable with its Importance
From mere handful of men the
League now has an excellent member
ship. the larger per cent Of which COM
prise those who may be termed the
students of civic problems the
thinking men of our communities. Be
yond the very commcndable effort on
the part of our officers to secure mem
bershir in order to gain interest there
has been no distinctly pecuniary motive
involved.
Our membership. therefore. is repre-
sentative of the general and wholesome
interest i'll the scope of our cndeavors.
rather than anything else, and ac-
cordingly the growth in membership
has been a healthy one.
A second cause for general eatisfac-
ton arises from the fact that the
Leagues work was promulgated and
has been advanced in q very conscrva-
tive way. There was fear expressed in
some quarters at one time lest the
class of literature coming from other
states where appeal seemed to be
made to classes and to loss educated
minds. and which had unfortunately
the socialistic temper. would give to
Jul II';dSCI ellot unhappy tuTll
and an unfortunate color But this
happily has been avoided. There was
fear also lest the labor organization of
our state whose leading representa-
tives and earnest workers had advo-
Gated valiantly and well the principle
Of direct legislation, should suffocate
the child of its rearing by display of
affection: but with cOmmendablc fore
sight and wisdom the labor orsaniza-
ton has taught the child to walk alone
There was fear expressed at one time
lest the whole movement would be lost
in the whirlpool of politics; but your
officers and members have seemed
thus far to steer carefully between
Scylla and CharIbdis, with the very
apparent result that the anchoring
ground is proving rather an attractive
meeting place of Conference for those
who seek to place themselves in Office
at the urgent request of their friends
There was fear also expressed. lest all
of US should go about the work in
haphaZard way. employing the tactics
of the crank. the man of the one idea.
But this has been avoided. Without
exception. l think. your officers, gentle
men, have looked upon this whole
question as a fundamental and impor-
tant one. and they have advocated the
cause day and night, by mouth and
letter and newspaper paragraph. in a
most considerate and praiseworthy
way. l believe that nothing has gained
so many friends for the Referendum
League throughout the length and
breadth of Maine as has the every -day
n ne a,,it nf ;,,Ip
business policy and positive faith in
our ultimate success. shown in the
work OF your more active officers and
members
Again we have reason to feel Gratified
at the success in securing the endorse
ment Of our movement by the State
Federation of Labor the Unions. the
Maine State Grange and subordinate
Oranges. as we'll as other smaller
organizations. all of which has been OF
inestimablc help. I regret to report
that the one organization to turn it's
back upon the League, was the
Christian Civic League of Maine. But
its Committee on Resolutions was n
mistake. Professor Anthony of Bates
College treated the whole matter With
evident contempt declaring that the
agitation was but bubble" while
his declaration was endorsed by Mr.
Burrowes of Portland. These two
gentlemen comprised the Committee
that refused to resolve in the Leagues
favor. However. the general endorse
ment by the Federation and the Grange.
has marshalled thousands of loyal
supporters under our banner, and this
is certainly cause for conEratulation.
There is occasion to rejoice over the
very general support given the move
ment by the newspapers Of Maine,
particularly among the weekly publ
cations Of the state. In a few in
stances there seems to be open OPPOSE
ton. but l have faith to believe they
| will eventually swing into line.
I now desire to make two or three
suggestions or recommendations
| urge upon the League that it devise
| ways at once whereby it may add in
membership to our League 5000 citi-
zens Of Maine within the next four
months. | urge this because every
member added means a greater awak.
! ening Of interest in the movement.