Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-19
niacElLANEous RAcoRn
The Antl-Brlbery Campaign.

Low iAN t"r
The Anti-Brlbery Campaign.
Thus far, more than ono hundred-to
be exact, llS-signatures have been at
tached to the anti-bribery pledge which
was formulated and launched by Mr.
Robert G. Houston, editor of the Sussex
Republican Of Georgetown. BY their
signatures these men have pledged them
selves not 10 contribute money or any
thing Of value towards influencing voters
ut primary OF general elections, or at
registrations, and also TO do all in their
power to enforce the provisions Of the
Constitution against bribery. In other
words, to refrain from doing the slightest
thing towards vote-buying, and also TO
use their endeavon towards Furnishing
those who may have no compunctions
against engaging in this most debasing
and Illegal practice
These names include many leading
citizens, and the representative character
Of the movement is attested by the fact
that the signers to the pledge include
residents from all Of the three counties.
Not section of any Importance is un-
represented.
The nucleus Of the anti-bribery or
ganization having thus been secured in
the most encouraging manner, the next
thing in order is the organization itself
When and how this shall be effected now
becomes a matter of serious considera-
tion. AIr. Houston, in the current issue
of bis newspaper, the Sussex Republican
of Georgetown, requests the signers 70
notify him at once If they can attend a
meeting, to be held at Dover within the
next two weeks, for the purpose Of con-
iorung upon the host ways and means
of forming an organization. ave be-
levc in making haste slowly" he says,
Sand a matter of such grave Importance
necessitates careful thought and considera-
ton. Before an Organization is formed
we believe it would be wise for those citi-
zens, who have enlisted in this cause by
signing the pledge to meet az some CON
venient place, within the next two weeks,
ON date to be agreed upon, for the pur-
pose Of comforting on this matter of or
ganzation and 10 decide upon the best
way Of eiiecting the same. Il is import
ant That this preliminary meeting be well
attended"
This request brings the signers Of the
anti-bribey pledge face to face with a
practical test Of tho sincerity and strength
Of their professions Now comes tho
time for work the time for an outlay
of the time and money necessary TO make
this movement a complete success. Time
will be taken in travelling to and from
Dover which town, as central point
is most convenient TO a majority of IN,
signers. Money will be necessary foi
travelling expenses. Every man who il
interested in the movement, and desire,
70 make it successful will have to Civ,
his time and his money to this laudabl,
purpose.
IL Is not necessary, at this stage of tho
proceedings, that all the signers shall &c
to Dover for the preliminary meeting
A few from each county may adopt al
the proceedings necessary to set tn,
movement under way. There is ample
time for preparing for active operations
but it is undeniable that the sooner th,
organization is formed, and its machiner,
put in motion, the better it will be. There
fore, while few men may do this wolf
effectively, the more there are to take
hand, the better it will be.
It would be an inspiring result, and
shoulder blow at election corruption iron
the beginning, to have nearly all of thes
more than a hundred signers present a
the initial meeting for organization. Sucl
a gathering would practically win IN
battle in advance, as il would be an indi
cation Of sincerity of purpose and desir
for action that would scare every bribe
and vote-buyer into a state Of fear an
trembling and make them afraid to eve
think Of engaging in their miserable bus
ness. Therefore, let every signer writ
TO Mr.. Houston and inform him as {
what date would be agreeable for holdin
the organization meeting. Then he ma
select the date suggested by the large.
number whereby a most encouragin
meeting would be secured.
Let the signers Of the anti-briber
pledge now show their faith by the
works. and all will be we'll