THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE OF PHILADELPHIA 355
stood. As Mr. George Burnham, Jr., pointed out in his address at the tenth anniversary of the founding of the league :
While I believe that the true work of the league is educational, let me hasten to add that I also think there is no better way of educating voters than by conducting campaigns at the polls, as it has done in the past and no doubt will continue to do in the future. Every time you place a worthy candidate on the ballot as against a machine henchman, you force the issue of good govern- ment upon the attention of each voter. He cannot escape it. He has not heard the general appeal of the minister in behalf of political righteousness, because he does not go to church ; he has not read the warnings of the press, because he seldom looks at the editorial page; he has not read your specific campaign circular; but he must read his ballot; and the fact that he has a chance to vote for worthy candidates, as against unworthy ones, is placed before him at the critical moment.
The aims and purposes of the league were always primarily educational. It sought in every possible way to bring home to the people of Philadelphia the gravity and importance of the muni- cipal problem as it affected them ; the necessity for personal effort, if it was to be solved, and solved in the interests of the largest number. It sought at all times to enforce the fundamental prin- ciples for which it stood ; it did this not only by the printed page, of which it circulated many hundreds of thousands ; not only by the word of mouth, but in every other feasible and honorable way. It had numerous meetings of a social character, to bring men of like mind together, and to bring into contact with these men others who would be influenced by their personal example and influence. It sought through the medium of receptions, informal suppers, and similar devices to create and maintain an esprit de corps, an intelligent opinion, and a personal touch, the benefits of which are to be seen, not only during the years of the league's active work but at the present time and in the way that those who were brought up under the league's influence are attacking the present problem.
For years it advocated the establishment of a city or municipal club; but apparently the time was not ripe. Now a movement for the establishment of the City Club has succeeded beyond expectation; and within a few months there will be opened in Philadelphia a clubhouse for municipal workers for men who
