The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-01-01

eseunses Editorial which .Knocked''
Municipal League.


40 the Editor OF the Daily Item:
Your editorial Of tho 2oth instant
on the organization OF the Municipal
League is quite surprise. especially
%. when you misjudge the purposes
and intentions Of the organization.
As ! understand II. this Is an organ
ixntion composed Of the white voters
Of the city. who desire to become
member. II h opposed TO anything
RESEMBLING ring rule. or any attempt
TO dictate who snail he the officers
Of the municipality. Its sole object IL
20 give It's endorsement to men for Of
oce. who are known for their prog.
ressiveness recognized ability. expert
ence. sound business integrity. and
3udsment. It's primary principles arc.
that the Judgment Of the majority of
- members In the selection and en-
eorsement Of candidates for the city
e6Sces. viii be q better endorsement
~ candidates for the city ofYices, will
- better guarantee that better men
would be selected. than could be by a
clique Of men who would make up
slate behind closed doors. and offe.
snem TO the primaries for election.
M The Municipal League proposes to
- absolutely dcmocratic In every
way Its principles and bylaws are
esmocratic and based on the past
prtrciplss OF democracy In selecting
~ Representatives IN the councils of.
the national and other governments.
lts main object 10 to prevent ring rule.
or possibility OF Il. a. the majority
% the League must endorse q candi-
eats for once. the possibility of ring
ruIs is reduced to minimum.
The, existence Of the League will ce-
usnt the bond Of democratic govern
fneut. because Il 10 the essence Of
democratic organization. and has
bssn the only proceeding by which
ths democratic principles df states
and municipalities have been rs-es-
tablIshed on sound and honest founda-
lions IN the last forty-nve years.
the organisation Of the League IL
~ Intended TO casA the slightest Inn
Dutatson on any usmber Of our city
0oysrnmsnt a. they are too well
knewn 10 Be men Of established honor
ond Integrity. The orsanisation In
nrst lea and all the time opposed to
eny rtng rule IN the govsrnmspt Of
ths clty's aaairA The ersanisation
v1f net sivs it, sndorssihent to any
eand1dAss who - not selected by q
uAjortty Cor the once. and he win 20
bsSDrs the primary election on the
sans basis - any other candidate.
1Asrs can certainly bs no unfairness.
aching undsmocrstic. or ring rule in
tAis.
Evsry member Of. the Lsague WIN
- stimulated by being q member. TO
becoms interested IN the management
and a6airs of the city. which wound
- dlsedssed at the mestlnss OF the
organization.
The League win endorse fun and
complete publication Of the city's az
fairs. oficiai. financial and executive,
- the citisens may be informed In re-
gard TO the business Of the city.
Tho League does not propose to act
- . convention or in any way inter-
+. fsre with the present arrangement OF
ssisctins candidates by primaries. It's
onscsrs shall be . president. vice pres
idsnt. secretary and treasurer. who
shall hold office for one ssar.
II would be impossible for the Lea
sue to disrup: the city democratic or
gsnisation. because the organization
OF the League viii bs to strengthen
and psrpetuate . strictly democratic
organisation for the people knd by
the people. a. . body polite. at all
times denouncing any clique or ring
attempting to control the affairs Of
the city or control the candidates to
20 before the primaries.
~ A~~s s""s s"o ASoSuo Will IL
ways be open to every white voter of
the city. makes II a democratic organ
ization. strictly and purely 40. As be-
fore stated. II does not propose to In
terfere with the selection Of the Of
ncers Of the city by the regular pri-
maries. but II does propose to give It's
endorsement 10 the most suitable can
didate Cor ofsice. and will use all hon
est endeavor to elect them. and any
voter. who wishes the Affairs of the
city conducted on business principles
should not hesitate to become a men,
Der OF tho municipal League. and
~ the League is to be organized on
these principles. one cannot see the
objection to Il. or the grounds for