Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-03-17
CIVIC REFORM SWEEPS CITY.


i Manchester was advised Friday
i evening OF the need of law enforce.
/, ment in this city, at d mass meeting
4 held at Central Opera house. Hon.
, G. W. Durham, eX-State Senator from
, the SSrd district. and Rev. j. Frank
. Moore, pastor of the First Congrega-
!. nonal church, briefly but clearly pre-
sented certain matters relating to
an alleged civic reform to an audi
!, ence OF nearly four hundred people.
The chairman of the meeting was
Rev. Roscoe A. Barnes, pastor of the
), Methodist Episcopal church, who
explained thai the meeting was nom
political, and It's object, was for
. creating general demand for good
clean government in Manchester.
Senator Durham was introduced by
the chairman, and hurriedly reviewed
one of the indirect causes of present
tday lawlessness; namely: the liberty
, given to four million slaves forty-four
I years ago. Mob violence has been
common in both the north and south
as a result Of race troubles, and a
lawess disregard of order seems gem
eral throughout the country, which
not only pertains to racial troubles,
Nbut to disobedience of statutory
laws regarding the sale Of intoxi-
Giants.
A number of sections from the
Code Of lows were read by Senator
| Frnham, who said in this connection
that there seemed to be misun-;
derstandings among peace officerSrel-
alive to their duties under the law.
Direct mention was made by the
speaker concerning the use of per-
|mits for the purpose of buying liquor
from q drug store. Reasons for the
abuse OF this privilege were offered,
and likewise for the sale of--intoxi-
cDnts by pharmacists. Mr.. Durham
offered suggestion regarding the
Prostitution of such Illegal sales,
wherein the state might appoint an
agent in eve<y community to serve
the. medicinal needs OF the people by
supplying liquor upon the receipt of
q written order, signed by a physi-
cian This agent or represe ntative
might possibly be the LATEST man in
the vicinity, and not at all influenced
| by any bribe which might be offered |
him 70 disobey his duty, which would
be satisfactory to, the temperance adj
voeates.
motion was made by Senator
Dunham that the chair appoint o
committee of three men, whose duty
lii should be TO choose from the cit
liens of Manchester a committee Of
seven substantial, public spirited men
lovers of good, clean government,
who would organize civic league.
TO aid in the enforcement of the.
law. This committee is to be chos-
en- outside of the ministerial pro-
.fession.
Senator Durham was followed by
Rev, j. Frank Moore, who spoke of
conditions throughout Iowa, and
stated that he preferred not to ex-
press any personal opinions regard
ing local affairs, Icing as yet u9ac-
quainted with such. MIR. Moore sug-
sested that no reactionary or violent
measures be taken, as such vicious
methods are hurtful % any cause.
although tie facts should be pre-
sented to the people and a full re
port made of the situation as to
external circumstances
The chairman of the meeting then
read Q resolution which was almost
unanimously adopted. 1t pledges
those who accept it to the support of
tie officers in the enforcement of
the law, and pledges them only to
support men for office who would,
in the opinion of the voter, use the
powers of his office faithfully for
law enforcement. The resolution is
published herewith:
Resolved, That, we the citizens of
Manchester in mass meeting as
senbled, do hereby express our faith
that the unchanging principles of
righteousness, made effective. in
laws we'll enforced by local officers,
will bring prosperity and exalt city,
and that violation of law and a wide
open policy is a disgrace and re-
proach to any people.
We realize that, in order that
they may enforce even the best
lsws, local officers must have the
moral support and influence of the
citizens, and to this, end
we declare that whoever may be
elected in the coming contest will
have our earnest support in making
Manchester q law abiding city.
And whereas, the citizens of Man
chester, on March 10th are TO choose
Ay ballot mayor and five aldermen
into whose hands we are to commit
our municipal welfare for two years,
Therefore, We hereby declare and
pledge ourselves, that we will vote
for and support for office, only such
men as will use every power dele
gated to them by the laws, to sup
press gambling in every form, put
stop to Illegal selling of intoxicants,
and prevent minors from visiting
pool halls; to prevent Sabbath des-
Lecration and other forms of law
lessness.
We stand for strict enforcement
of all laws, the creation of such or
dinances as are needed to this end.
and government of the City on,
business principles without waste
of resources or lack of enterprise for
fear expense.
An extreme and radical measure