Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-01-08

Reform Movement startea.

The Sussex Republican of Georgetown
has formally launched reform move
ment which may result in great good TO
the State Of Delaware.
The editorial from that paper which
was printed in Every Evening on saturu
day was preceded by personal statement
OF the editor Mr.. Robert G.. Houston,
former collector Of the port Of Wilmington,
in which he said "The influence OF this
paper and its editor will hereafter be ex-
erted to prevent the illegal use Of money
in elections in this State" As a practical
move IN support Of this declaration, the
Sussex Republican suggests an organi-
ration Of voters 70 be formed Of those who
are willing to subscribe their names to the
following anti-bribery pledge, which in It's
wording follows the exact language Of the
State Constitution in relation to bribery
at elections:
~ do hereby solemnly promise on my
sacred honor that I will not directly or
indirectly pay, offer or promise to pay,
contribute, or offer or promise to con-
tribute, any money or other valuable
thing as a consideration or reward for the
giving or withholding a vote at any gem
Grail special or primary election TO be- held
ia this State; and will not by the use or
promise Of money or other valuable thing,
or otherwise, cause or attempt TO cause any
officer of election or registration officer TO
violate his official duty or by like means
influence or attempt TO influence any per-
son to be registered or abstain from being
registered; and TO do all in my power to
enforce the provisions of the Constitution
and statutes Of this State against bribery"
When one hundred names are secured
70 this pledge the suggestion Of the Sussex
Republican is that they form an organi-
cation to more effectively enforce the law
against election bribery. "Such an or
ganization, backed by the prosecuting
officers Of this State, and we have no doubt
il win be" it says, "will prove effective. "
II is almost needless 70 say that Every
Evening earnestly and sincerely indorses
this movement on the part of the Sussex
Republican and It's editor and will Join
heartily in forwarding the proposed no
form. II any of our readers desire to take
part in the suggested organization, they
may do so by cutting the pledge from
Every Evening an enlarged copy Of il
viii be found elsewhere in this issue and
sending il, signed, to this Office We will
forward the pledges so signed TO the Office
Of the Sussex Republican or take any
other steps that may be desirable for
securing an anti-bnbery organisation in
New Castle county.
An organization Of this character could
not fail 70 have an important bearing upon
the next election in this State, and 4
properly elected could put stop to bribery
or send those who attempted TO violate
the law before the courts for punishment
The only thing needed to make the or.
ganization effective is good men, actuated
by a righteous public spirit Men Of al
political parties may join in this move.
ment, as its purpose is one which appeal.
70 all good citizens. Given a vigorous
well-ofhcered organization Of this char.
acter, and the election districts Of thi,
State could be so closely guarded, al
registration, primaries and general cleo.
ton, that he would be hardened poll
teal scoundrel indeed who would dan
offer a venai voter a single dollar for hi
suffrage And even the use of money il
purchasing partisan influence could b,
rendered so dangerous that even th,
wealthiest Of political criminals, ever
the arch corrlptionists Of the election o
1904 and Of previous ones, would be afraic
TO make a single contribution Of none,
for any improper purpose
The honest people Of Delaware shout,
avail themselves Of this favorable oppor
tunity 10 enroll themselves in the cause o
honest politics. AS the Sussex Repuhli
can says, It will not interfere in any wa,
with the nominations Of political parties
Il will not interfere in any manner witt
honest political work But It may inter
fere with election corruption, to such Al
extent as to make it impossible. and wha
greater reform could the people Of Della
ware ask
f'Io iail with the voia-buversu ebo,,l,