The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-11-07
mot my VICTORY,
BUT HEPEOPLES."
SAYS MAYORELECT
of Leaders in Long Fight
for Change in Civic COndi-
tionS in Memphis Give
Views on Recent Campaign.

'iO"S VII neGeHl OdIHpdlylI'
Rowlett Paine, industrious as he al
ways Is, was at work az his desk early
Friday morning, and at first declined 10
express himself In IN way on his cleo
uon, except to task that all his friends
ana warm supporters be given his
hanks. But when he was pressed for
AZ least a few words he showed that he
believes in the principles which he has
advocated In hundreds of campaign
speeches during the past month.
victory FOR a new order of
lhlngS in Memphis, for a renewed re-
spect for the law and for higher ideals
IN cur civic life, vas won by the good
women and good men Of Memphis, not
by he he said. Il do not take any
personal credit for It. ] am deeply
thankful 10 every mar and woman who
voted n worked for my election and
l snail give my utmost Of effort to de-
serve their confidence.
The credit for our sweeping victory
lies In the principles for which we stood
and for which we shan stand during the
next four years-that is in our pledge,
which we will keep. to remove factional
politics from the city hall, and bring
about a renewed respect for the law.
My associates and ] have worked
IN hearty sympathy with each other
during the campaign and / am sure /
shall have the same loyalty from them
after we begin our terms of office. |
only want the people of Memphis TO
know that appreciate the support they
have given me-, and especially to thank
the good women Of this city, who, in
exercising their right Of franchise for
the first time. have spoken in such Elm
phatic terms for civic decency and high
regard for the law"
When the people, disregarding fac
uonalism, and fixing their minds on
one important issue, decide for any
great thing, that thing will be accom-
plished,' said Leslie NJ. Stratton, man
ager of the campaign for the Citizens
league.
Il was never in doubt how the great
majority Of the good women and FOOD
men OF Memphis would vote, II they
once grasped the meaning of the organ
ization OF the Citizens league, and the
fact that the candidates we nominated
did IN fact stand squarely and honestly
for Its principles.
Best People for Paine.
Perhaps we had best let bygones be
bygones, but the results show that Mr.,
Paine and our other candidates carried
every strictly residence ward in Mem
phis, and that the wards In which our
opponents got their votes were those
In which the old political methods could
be used for controlling the voters.
And just thing more. and that
la that no band OF women in any work
ever showed more devoted spirit than
those who worked for the success Of the
Citizens league ticket"
X. r. Ellis really deserves the credit
for beginning the movement IS months
ago which finally crystalliged into the
organization OF the Citizens league.
He and a small group Of men made an
effort to improve municipal conditions,
md mnda many FinnS oil Of which
failed for lack OF public support. Later
Mr.. Ellis and a large number Of men
and women who were determined to Sc
cure a change In political conditions in
Memphis organized the Citizens league.
Speaking OF the success Of the move
ment and the election of the ticket, Mr.,
Ellis said Friday:
ut is q glorious victory for law and
order and decency, and also a great
victory for higher ideals of citizenship.
This movement has proved that five
honest, capable men could be found to
run for office in Memphis. II has
proved that such men could be elected.
i a proved that as many good, law
abiding men and women live in Mem
phis to the square foot as In any city
In the world, and that they only needed
an opportunity to express themselves in
a way that would count.
THE Citizens league ticket offered
the first opportunity In years for such
action, With the wonderful help OF the
women, a new day has dawned for
Memphis, our home city, God bless
her"
Mrs. Ellis Is Happy.
Mrs. Samuel ]. Ellis, vice chairman
Of the Citizens league said: MY be-
lief In the honesty Of purpose and the
sincerity Of the majority OF the women
OF Memphis has been indicated. From
the beginning OF the campaign my faith
that the women OF Memphis would
stand for decency and law enforcement
has never faltered; my steadfast opin-
ion that their Judgment could be trust
ed has been Justified by the splendid
victory which they work has achieved
for the city of Memphis. 1t is to the
ward chairmen that the credit is due.
The quiet transformations, unremitting
efforts OF the mothers and sisters in
their W wards that carried the day.
From many platforms II has been
my privilege to say to the women OF
Memphis that their honor was at stake
In this election. and now 1t Ii my wish
publicly to thank zach woman who used
her Influence to elect Rowlett Paine
and hts ticket, and TO congratulate them
on the result of their work, To many
men. also, my earnest thanks are due
for the fine assistance they have given
me in selecting the ward chairmen and
for the sustained encouragement and
cooperation which they have SO gen
crously accorded me-"