Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-14

| In a very enthusia site meeting hell
at 11.45 A. NJ Sunday at the local Y.
M. c. A. the Augusta Federation Of
Laymen held spirited discussion
over the topic of corrupt mana cement
Of elections, in Augusta. and adopted
resolution in which it was stated
er to prevent the use Of brides in the
form of LIQUOR or money in the coming
election The first speaker. after pray
er had been offered by Rev. f. 5.
Phibrook of the Winthrop street Bap-
fist church, was President Ernest Nc
Lean, who spoke briefly Of the pur
pose for which the meeting was call
ed. that of lettering the local election
conditions in any way that might
prove practicable. and asked for sug
gestions as to the best means of so
doing.
He was answered by John Keller.
who spoke Of the methods and means
which have been used in the city cleo
tions the past few years as being a
disgrace to the city, and proposed that
resolutions be adopted regarding the
position which the Federation should
take on the subject.
President Mclean then stated that
there were two chief evils to be con-
sidered, one the use of money in the
elections to buy votes, and the other
the use Of liquor. He added that prac-
tically every citizen knows that these
evils do exist, glaringly. State SUPP.
Of Schools Taylor then addressed the
meeting, and spoke of the futility of
teaching civics and good government
in the High schools Of the State, when
on every hand the boys and young
men of the cities can see for them
selves what methods are employed in
the civic elections. He also said that
the boys Of the average city are as
we'll or better informed than the men,
and he thought that the federation
ought to at once go on record as be-
ing opposed to the methods now in
vogue.
Rev. Mr.. PhilbrooR then spoke of
the work which has been done in Ban.
gor by the Danforth Club, and spoke
of a case in point, where young man
who had been drunkard was reclaim
ed by the club, and is now one Of it's
most energetic workers. That the club
has threatened the liquor dealers in
Bangor with prosecution if they dare
tc sell liquor to q member who wears
the club button, and he also said that
several members had been refused
liquor by the dealers. He further
stated that almost every second place
on Exchange street is a rum hole.
Alderman Wilbert Wilson was the next
speaker and stated that he believed that
each and every citizen should take ar
active interest in civic politics. He also
said that he knew something Of the pre-
vailing conditions and that he did not
believe them necessary, ss he worked to
prevent the use of brides in Ward last
year, and the vote there was as favor
able as it ever was. If not more SO. He
added that the party which uses rum to
get votes always says that they do 1t be-
cause the other side will and they must
70 protect themselves, but that 1t is his
belief that city election can be carried
on just as successfully without it. for
the better class will stand behind the
party that refuses to use such methods.
The following resolution was presented
by John Keller and adopted:
I'VE. the Augusta Federation Of Lay
men, hereby stand for clean elections in
this our city, personally and as class.
and we pledge the support Of all our
members to this end, and win do what we
may to further this end"
Then a committee was annointad "a call