The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-29
ORGANIZATION OF YOUNG VOTERS.

ORGAN lZAIION VI 1OSNN w
The Norfolk Landmark prints a
long article about "well-orsan-
lied" movement in that city to form
a club to be known as "The Young
Mems Democratic Club 1t VIII De
composed solely of young voters. me
object of the organization VIII be the
good of Norfolk" The entrance re-
quirements will be faith in the city,
a desire for political honesty-and q
vote 1t will be democratic In It's
membership. drawing no social lines,
and will charge reasonable member
ship fee, and maintain quarters.
Committees will be formed to thor
oughly examine every proposed ordl-
nance and all candidates for office.
These reports will be received and
acted upon the body" The motto
of the club will be. probably publicity
for public affairs"
The formation Of the club is due to
the fact that in Norfolk there mas
been strong undercurrent of criticism
of certain political affairs recently.
This feeling took new life during the
summer and has been crystallized by
the criticism of the recent primary
The Landmark further says:
The young men of the city have
been criticised for not taking more
active part in the elections in the
past. and a score have determined
that they will now make concerted
movement for the betterment of Nor
folk at the present time and for the
future.
The reasons for forming the organ
izatlon, as explained by one of the
leaders yesterday, were. that the older
men who have been in charge during
the past have apparently become sat
isfied with the present manner of ad-
ministering the city's affairs, or they
seem TO be unwilling, for either bus
mess or other reasons, TO fight GER
tain evils which they have been ac-
customed to condemn in private. and
that the best manner in which to
remedy evils that may exist to-day or
in future is to have a body of men
who are not bound by either political
or business affiliations to any one fac
ton.
1t was explained that there are a
number of matters, which come up for
general criticism periodically and that
they are never brought TO head, but
are allowed to slide back out of the
public attention.
This Is a commendable thing for the
young voters of Norfolk to do, and II
the club can BIO organized with a sub
stantial membership and can live ur
to the purposes set forth by It's char
ter members, 1t will be an eff
cient factor for the good of Norfolk
If the organization can be kept be-
yond the influence of local politicians
it will, in time, be a most useful
agency for securing better govern
ment and better conditions in poll
tics. Much has been said of late about
ring ridden" Norfolk; this club, ac-
tive and aggressive could do much to
repel such statements
The novel feature about the plan
which especially strikes us is the in
spection and study of proposed ordi-
nances. In this way, much unwise and
improper legislation might be modified
or prevented. The consideration OF
candidates is another good feature.
Such an organization as this will
have beneficial influence upon the
municipality in which it is formed and
can be at the same time wise check
and progressive help in the administra-
ton OF city government. If the Nor
folk club succeed, it will doubtless
be followed by like clubs in other cities
in the State. We wish it well, mighty
WELL,