The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-17
LINCOLN
Political 0Verturn Due Largely
10 Desire For Decent Gov.
Ornmlnt Lesson For 0'her
Sections

Lincoln has always been regarded by
those who claimed to know as debatabl'
ground, politically, between the two
great parties.
on this account many politicians have
! been rather surprised. and some have
! been alarmed, at the recent election by
! such decisive majoritcs of the candi
dates on the Democratic and Indepen'
dent town and assembly tickets
I The town has an organization known
| as the Voters League. Two years age
a body OF about 80 OF the leading citizens
OF the town. OF all shades of party and
belief but all disgusted with the exist
ing Cpditions In regard to law enforce
ment met in the parish house in Ions
dale. Sunday liquor selling. Sunday base
| ball playing, gambling, hoodlumism and
rowdyism were prevalent in certain Sec
| tions of the town and these men talked
il over
The prevailing idea expressed by those
present was that responsibility 10 constit-
present was that responsibility TO rings
and bosses on the part of town officials
must give way TO responsibility 10 con-
stituents.
How TO accomplish this end was
the question. Reference was made to the
state of affairs In Chicago, where certain
representative citizens had formed an or
ganiZation called the Voters League a
with the backing Of the people. in driv-
ing out the CRATER and the boodler from
the city council In that city.
on motion of leading clergyman OF
Lonsdale IL was voted to form such an
organization. The basis OF the work of
the league was to keep a system of rec-
ords of the officers of the town. The
organization began It's labors by appoint
ing committees TO investigate the nom
inees OF both parties for all offices. 1t is
marvellous i'm town like Lincoln how
much mans neighbors know about him.
These men went right into candidates S
home locality. They investigated every
fact that might help the league TO know
Of the education, honesty and ability.
business or professional standing, polti-
cal and private reputation. and the past
record in office, IL any, OF each candi-
date.
The labors OF this committee resulted
in many cases I'm the finding OF a high
class citizen who would honestly repre-
sent the town In other instances rec
ord indicating total unftness for public
service was unearthed.
The candidates having been thorough
ly investigated, the league made up a re-
port OF them. setting forth nothing but
cold hard facts, which IL had the evil
dence to support, recommending the
worthy and condemning the unworthy
men. This was done In an absolutely
non-partisan, non-sectarian manner.
Party lines had no influence whatever
in determining the qualifications of man
for office.
These records of the men were then
published and distributed to the voters in
a pamphlet report just before election.
The election over, the league transferred
its attention TO the town council. IL has a
representative present at each session OF
he t-.lI 81,
sentative takes notes of the activity on
the part of each councilman for good and
bad measure. His voting on such mea-
sures is noted and his stand in relation 10
law enforcement I'm the town Is reported
TO the league.
Such are the objects, aim and methods
OF the Lincoln Voters league. 1t is COM
posed of men who have no favors to be-
stow, no enemies TO punish. no preJudices
to overcome and no glass houses to be
shattered. The men are some of the most
respected citizens In the town. They care
not for party or creed, but they are de-
ternined TO have a clean town, so far as
possible They have no ak TO grind and
they expect no reward but the conscious
ness OF having performed a duty to their
townspeople.
This is the organization that indorsed
tie Democratic and Independent candi-
dates this year.
An instance or Intlf FAIRNESS IL 1OunO III
the fact that they sent a communica-
ito nto the Republican town committee
expressing the desire to support for re-
election to the council George +. Pierce,
the president of that body last year. Mr..
Pierces record had shown that he had
done his best TO enforce the laws against
Sunday ball playing I'm Manvile. Mr..
Pierce was turned down by the Repub-
llcan machine for a denomination.
He was then taken up by the Democrats
and Independents, was given n nomlna-
ton and by the help and Endorsement OF
the league backed by the good, law-abid-
ing citizens of the town. was triumphant
Is reelected this year. The Voters league
OF Lincoln is one influence that has made
itself felt for reform and has contributed
materially TO the large majorities of this
years candidates.
There are other influences also at work
for good in the town and while many
matters exist which will be difficult OF adj
iustment during the coming year. still it
is felt by the citizens that the other
towns OF the state may we'll profit by the
example set by Lincoln.
The members OF Kano branch, Catholic
Knights OF America. held their annual so.
cial and dance in Lonsdale hall last eve
ming. Members OF the order from the diff
fcrent branches I'm the state were present.
Frederick j. Swan, assisted by James
Skenyon and a corps OF aids, performed
the duty OF floor director The committee
I'm charge OF the affair consisted OF John
Griffin, William Crommey, Hugh McSher.
nv, James Skenyon, NJ G. Ryan and Fred
erick j. Sweers. The reception commit
tee consisted OF William Edmonds. Pat
rick I.arkin. John j. Connolly. Patrick Nc
Carthy, Thomas Conlon,, Mortimer Ma
honey. Michael Clancy and Edward Pick
cit.