Evening journal., 1913-05-14
CAMPAIGN OF
EDUCATIONFOR
REFERENDUM
Delaware League Wants PeO-
pie Informed Before Leg
iSlature Meets Again
Mr.. DOLE DISCUSSES
CIVIC JUSTICE SUBJECT

taken on the candidacy of Francis |.
DUPONT, president of the League, for
the Office of Mayor on the Bull
Moose" Progressive ticket The by
laws Of the league prohibit il from
indOrsing any candidate for Office be-
cause of the many different political
parties its members are affiliated
with. While the name of Mr. DUPONT
was not brought up at the meeting
the general feeling was that almost
every member of the League, person
ally, indorsed him as a man who was
sincere in his principles and an eX-
pert in municipal affairs.
Plans were discussed last night for
the beginning of a campaign Of edu-
cation in the initiative and referen-
dun all over the State, so that by
The next session OF the Legislature
the people of the lower counties will
understand just what the League is
lighting for and that a sentiment for
its principles will be created all
over the State. Addresses on the
subject were made by the Rev. r. l..
Jackson and the Rev. George Henry
Dole.
Mr.. Jackson said that from the
Mayors Office down, Whining
ton is sorely in need of exports.
Tie spoke of the financial straits the
city is in, and the many things that
1t is trying to do but cannot accom-
plish because Il either has not the
funds or has spent them.
"A city should no more turn out
It's officials than a banking house
would turn out it's directors" said
Mr.. Jackson. He urged the adoption
Of new city charter and said that
one of the things the State was lack
ing in was course in Government
in its State College.
The Immediate Need in Advancing
Civic Justice" was the subject Of the
address by the Rev. George Henry
Dole.
Mr. Dole said in part:
"The standard of public service
has immensely advanced during the
last few years. Doubtless we all are
aware of this; but our State and city
have not been as yet visibly im-
pressed by the fact. States and cities
about us are feeling the uplift of the
new spirit OF civic usefulness. but
Delaware and Wilmington have not
responded to the demands for prog
ress. and they are suffering badly in
many ways. seen and unseen. because
the political atmosphere so suffocates
the broader and true patriotism
when it was first proposed to
recommend the commission form OF
city government. | was told by one
of our widely interested citizens that
I would find no civic interest in the
people OF Wilmington. ! was SO op-
timistic as not to be convinced.
am yet so optimistic as not TO be able
to believe it, Notwithstanding our pro-
gressivc measures went down in de-
feat before the last Legislature But
| do not believe those measures pro-
posing the commission form of gov
ernment. modern laws for assessing
and collecting taxes and the initiative
and referendum, we're defeated be-
cause of the lack of civic interest or
exalted patriotism. They were defeat
ed because the Legislature did not
truly represent the people, and be-
cause certain representatives violat-
ed their party pledges.
THE public conscience needs to be-
come more sensitive to the gravity of
the offense when public officer dis
regards the party pledge. II is a
serious offense, for it is the violation
of a public trust. II is an offense that
should be odious to every good citi-
zen. If a man promises you some-
thing provided you will do something
for him, and then after you have full
filled your promise, he utterly dis
regards you and his promises to you,
what would you think of him? Would
you trust him again? Would you
commit into his keeping your goods
Then what of man who breaks his
word ten thousand times by disre-
garding his promises to the people
and state? The violation of a pro-
mise to the people, misrepresentation
made before the people, is the grayest
kind of an offense, because il is be-
travail of the state and unpatriotic 1t
Is the deepest and widest kind OF
fraud and wrong. We may be ac-
customed to look upon this offense
as light. but there is no criminal act
lntrinsically more base.
because things are not better than
they are we should not criticisc any
party; that is. we should not place
the fault i'm some intangible thing
What is a party? Il is a compan,
OF people, and the party is nothing
other than the people. If party y
bad and faithless for any period O
AAiitf ~ 10 AaA' AahiN VI AhN lRoEAE ~
that party.
"The most effective means for goot
government ever devised are those
OF the Initiative. Referendum and Re
call. Under their powers govern
mcnt has been almost perfected Tie
most perfect government upon tho
face of the earth was made through
their efficiency. The reason Why the,
have been so efficient is easily seen
Small political rings soon bccoml
selfish. and designing men perpe;rat'
their self-centered schemes through
them, while the general body of th'
people is essentially patriotic. Govern
.nlent was intended for the universe
good of the people, and not for smal
sets of men to be benefited at th'
expense of the others"
letter was received from Francis
|. dupont stating that he could no
be present at the meeting, but thai
as the important matter of the river
iron is to come before the voters a
this election. he recommended thai
the League have circulars printed
on that question and distributed e
the voters of the city. The matter
was referred 20 the executive com
mittee.