Evening journal., 1911-11-15
RECTOR PLEADS
FOR PROGRESS
MIR. Wells Tells Referendum
League Delaware Is
Behind Time
WOULD SHAKE OFF
TIE political SHACKLES"

The meeting Of the Referendum
League of Delaware, held last night
I'm Pythian Hail. was made interest
ing by the visit OF six members OF
The Delaware Equal Suffrage Associa-
tvin, who became members OF the
league. They included the state
president, Mrs. Martha S. Cranston,
and the city president. Mrs. Winfield
S. Quigley. The Suffrage Society wish
it explained that this is not an al
fliation Of the society with the league
which they are joining as individuals
Several members Of the League also
became members Of the Suffrage 80
ciety. The feeling between the Two
societies was cordial and each is pre-
pared to help the other
Upon suggestion by George Litz' ana
motion by William w. Knowles, the
following committee was elected 10
ask the Board of Education for the
use OF a school room for the league
discussions, the League saying that
they are as uon-partisan and pubic
body as the Civic Association, whicn
has met in the High School auditor
mm: Hubert w. Wells, Robert >.
Monck. S. c. Singleton. W. w. Knowles
and Frank White.
In a talk TO the League, w. W.
Knowles said that Robert c. White
stated that referendum and inluatlVe
sentiment was growing like wildilre
i'm Sussex county, and that he scntl-
mcnt was even greater for the recall
than for the initiative and referendum.
Mr.. Knowles said Mr.. White had
said that # they would send a speaker
ike Senator Clapp, OF Minnesota. or
Senator Bourne they could fill a hall
twice over, down i'm Georgetown. Mr
Knowles suggested getting an organ
izer in the field, and having speakers
like LaFollette Clapp, Bourne and
others who have said they would
sneak here. but he said they would
need money. The finance committee
of the League recommended that every
voter be sent a circular letter asking
for contributions to the campaign
Robert G. Houston, Of Georgetown
has sent letter inquiring about the
League.
There was big attendance last
night. and Francis I. DUPONT was IN
the chair during the business meet
ing.
The principal address was made by
the Rev. Hubert w. Wells, who was
introduced by Mr.. Monck. Mr.. Wells
told tho league that Delaware was
fifty years behind the times both IN
political and theological matters. he
said that what he wanted to do in Del
aware is to break party shackles, that
| the greatest bar to reform In this
] L.,
that any vile thing can get done u
only the doors Will mesmerize mei
into an atmosphere Of politics. Tic
said that IL a man desires to forward
new movement with only human
welfare in view, he has TO struggle
against party loyalty" and othe
stock phrases put out by party or
ganizauons. which we're meant e
fool us
Mr.. Wells said that this country
was not, conceived according 10 th'
spirit of the new democracy, the mel
who wrote the Declaration of Inde
pendence, though worthy of all reyer
ence, were thinking of the sort Of per
sons they themselves were--a selec
few. He did not think we should
hold TO the ways of our grandfather
when we had outgrown them. lie
quoted Hamilton's sentence, "The peo
pie is a beast" He said the fore
fathers Of the country we're men, witt
no more foresight than men now.
Mr. Wells said that the new democ
racy has conquered. this was show
In the recent reform victory in Phil
adelphia. which might be temporar
ily defeated again, but not perma
nently. The plain man. is coming on
to control and to have a say II
things. Mr. Wells probably had d
mind his own experiences last winte
on committees going before the Legis
, lature. when he said that an attemp
to do something for the common goo
{ was met with objections by those VIII
, would lose by a change. He said the
) would cry that it meant "Ruination I
: the land In an eloquent defense q
, tho initiative and referendum, he sal
= anybody who had ever tried 20 get
: law passed by a State Legislator
would realize what it mean
{ not to have direct control OF the law
u