Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-24
One Help to Civic Conscience

NJ OTHING could better illustrate Rich
l mond's need of some such institution
as a city club than the existing situation af-
fccting the suffrage, that has been brought
so bly-althouch too tardily for most
efficient results--to tho attention Of the peo-
pie city club discharging its function,
would go far toward relieving that unhappy
lcthargy and Indifference to civic RESPONSE.
hiliiies that oppresscs large proportion
OF l&chmond's citizenship.
Virginia and other Southern States, in re-
moving the menace Of ignorant negro
electorate, have erected another menace in
the shape of this very Indifference National
issues are decided here party lincs--and
before they are raised. Men come TO feel
that their national interests are not cndan-
Scred by their abstenton from registering
and voting. They look on State and city
elections mere struggles Of rival cand-
dates FOR no one Of whom. perhaps, they are
able 10 feel any special enthusiasm They
would be eager" one Of the speakers said
az thursday nights meeting Of the Registra-
ton Association, Ito express their choice be-
tween principles whereas. they are apathetic
about choosing between individuals.'
The necessary result OF this apathy is what
we have and sec in Richmond to-day. Pub
he indifference as TO men results in good
many Indifferent men being placed in public
office When what comes to be recognized
generally as a principle is at stake, great
numbers Of the potential voters have not
qualified to bear part in it's approval or
rejection
Wherever they have been organized city
clubs have taken the lead in the creation and
direction of Il civic consciousness and a civic
conscience. The Baltimore News discussing
the impending appearance of Secretary Of
State Bryan and former President Taft be-
fore the Baltimore City Club. says:
The presence of such men as sneaker.
luncheon
tion of the power which that organza-
tion can exercise, and is exercising. The
growing success of the club Is n n illus
tration of tho awakening Of a new spirit
not only in Baltimore. hut in other cities
1t symbollzcs the dawning of n new in
tcrest on the part Of business and profess
sional mon, In municipal ana public
affairs. To borrow the words Of an
official 1T is n social club with civic
purpose: watchful and informative,
but not n didoctic, organiza ton.
Public questions are threshed out in the
open and before the representative men of
the community in Chicago, Boston, Balti-
more and other cities. The luncheons and
other gatherings OF such organizations are
nicipal finance, education, organized charity,
free libraries public music and art play
grounds and recreational centers and the host
of other activities that engage the modern
municipal lily absorb their interest
If there were city club in Richmond 1t
would be very vitality interested in the fact
that half the potential white voters Of tho
city are not registered. 1t would find mea ms
OF effective protest against this condition
ways In which to cry from the housetops it's
warnings of danger. Its members would he
missionaries, carrying abroad the gospel OF
civic responsibility for civic inenlciency