Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-04-30
CIVIC LEAGUE
ORGANIZATION
Sweeping Reforms Promised
By Those Allied in the
New Movement

After charging the Lewiston news
papers with pe1ng unfair In the news
reports of their proceedings and sug-
gesting that some of the ministers
lacked sufficient backbone to stand
for a reform movement, the Lewis
ton Civic league was organized at y
meeting held at the court house last
night.
The meeting also adopted resolu-
tions and named q committee to call
upon candidates for city offices and
demand that pledges to the league
platform be made by those to whom
support will be given.
Charges Of neglect OF duty on the
part of the street commissioner, MEM
bers of the city council and other
city employees was made after which
the voters OF the east end were warn
ed aaginst a combination OF west end
interests that might be expected to
enter the city campaign for the pur-
pose of selecting city officers favor
able to the saloon element and open
lawlessness.
1t was stated that all of the saloons
were located In the two west wards
and the league should labor for the
election of officers from the eastern
section of the city.
In connection with the charges OF
unfairness on the part of the news
; papers it was suggested that the lea
que secure printed circulars setting
forth their platform and have other
: campaign literature generally circu
lated over the city before election.
1--WE do not realize what we are up
r against" said Rev Sewell. "Our new
city charter has been prepared by
persons who have designs upon the
interests of the city and is a most
0 dangerous affair II manipulated. The
city machinery Is now in the hands
q of those who designed the charter ana
we should cut loose from the saloon
e element and the bad men and bad
: women who control the city affairs
s F. r.. ParlSins stated that the city's
laws are not respected and that few
realize how wretchedly the ordinances
are enforced. He stated that the press
ent city officers do not care to en-
force the laws and that the better
class Of people have been afraid to
= assert themselves.
u. g. Orr McMinnimy suggested that q
committee be appointed to call upon
a the candidates and find out what they
intended to do II elected TO office.
That the committee be made per-
NJ manent organization for the purpose
!" of holding the officers to their pledges
after the election. II was also sug-
gested that the committee secure the
record Of the various candidates and
that reports be made to the league
from time time time during the cam.
paign.
1t was in naming the membership
= of the committee that the minister
MS were brought to task for lack
to backbone" The original Commits
- named was composed OF q. Orr Nc
Minnimy. Rev. Chase, Rev. seweil' "a
a'e Flickinger, DIR. Roe, Rev. Custer an
ac- Rev Mussleman.
'ces After the announcement OF g
,a,s membership Rev. Custer and Re
Chase suggested that there were z
MANY ministers on the committee 81
asked that their names be taken
ock. and other citizens named, Mr.. Fiic
oer- niger believed the committee shou
5 OF have to stand pat ana MIs ~ y
and Mills thought If the ministers did
~. stand for the reform movement q
n would be dificult to find citizs
who would serve. A compromise
made by the substitution Of the ma
OF MRS. Green in place Of Rev. Cha
II have been in politics for
.sir years. said John Long, "and n
iiou worked with the element that We
'ese" now IN against in this campaign
sn win hnd they are sharp manipnia'
uis and that we will have to fight
win. i have been told that the rel
tration has been manipulated ana
4 some Of the candidates already nal
have been endorsed BY the BaftenO
union.s
.MrH Addresses were made by g
.VN swanson. NJ. d. Mills, Dr. Roe
aOhN others. All speakers were favor
= tba closed town. the eiirinaficl
music and other entertainment "
e.rsat sa1oons ana II was also suggested
.ro-s,a s, .nraens ana curtains be taken
]. and the saloons IN order that me ps
,s re night have an unobstructed vieS
-,ver .hs ,pterior Of such places SUI
fcontinued on Page riHe)