The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-16
The Ne System OF Political Manage.
ment-Clubs Are Trumps.


The Know Nothing party invented new
system of political management. By assem-
bling in secret clubs or lodges they were
enabled to get their voters we'll in hand and to
bring them to the polls with something like
military precision. The republicans adopted
this idea, and formed Wide Awake clubs to
elect President in 1860. The plan worked so
well that it was revived In 1864, and the
campaign was managed exclusively, on the
republican side, by Loyal League clubs. The
system, having been thus approved by three
successful canvasses, now bids fair to COM
pletely supersede the old political organiza-
lions. The political leaders have endorsed it,
and are determined to use it as novel and
effective means of party management For the
present the popular clubs may be allowed to
die out, since they can easily be recognized
on the eve of the next Presidential election;
but the select clubs of party leaders, now
formed or in process of formation will be sus-
tanned in order to act as inside "rings" in con-
trolling patronage and nominations.
The radical republicans of this city already
have club, called the Loyal League, which
did the party some service at the last election,
and which is actively laboring to influence pO-
litical events. This club is composed of promi-
nent radical leaders, who assume the character
of private gentlemen when they wish to entrap
popular generals into visiting them, but resume
the role of politicians when there is Custom
House appointment to be made, or delegation
to be sent on to Washington to find fault with
President johnson. Another branch of the re-
publicans, under the lead ofthe poet Bryant, Of
the Post, are now getting up u Free Trade club,
in order to propagate their favorite idea of ap-
plying the principle Of universal freedom, not
only to the negro, but to commerce. The init
alton fee to this new club will be two hundred
and fifty dollars, and the ten per cent scheme,
as illustrated by Henderson, will be o distinc.
tive feature of the membership. II is under
stood that every candidate viii also be required
to repeat one Of Bryant's poems verbatim, and
that rigid cross-examination In regard to the
political economy Of free trade, the beauty and
expediency Of the ten per cent principle In all
transactions with the government, and the COM
parative excellence of rhyme and blank verse
will be imperatvely insisted upon before the
candidate is admitted to the brotherhood.
It is rumored that Mr.. Thurlow Weed is try
ing to patch up club of conservative republi-
cans and war democrats at the Times Office, in
order to head off the Loyal Leaguers and the
Free Traders; but the Bohemians Of the World
are already in the field ahead of Weed. Bel
mont and Barlow are about to match their
4shent-pcr-shent" democracy against the ten per
cent republicanism Of the Post people. They
are organizing club, as they started their news
paper, for the purpose Of getting the custody Of
the good things of the party. The initiation fee
to their club is one hundred and fifty dollars
and they expect to make considerable political
capital by judciously distributing honorary
memberships. We suppose that Mayor Gun.
Their has been the happy recipient one Of
these memberships, for he has recently placed
the World upon the list Of corporation papers
i Signor Mantilini Marbleu Is to have charge o
the cuisine Of the new club, assisted by his stat
of Bohemian cooks and bottle washers. All the
viands are to be cooked in copper kettles, Il
suit the palates of the copperhead members
and the table service is TO be of brass, instead
ofsilver, to guard against population. The clut
uniform and the livery for the Bohemian
walters will be straw hats and linen pantaloons
Army ale and porter are to be the standard
beverages, and the club groceries will all b
purchased at hardware stores. The Bohemian
who are employed by Signor Mantilni Marble'
will be kept ss sober as possible; but In orde
to prevent accidental intoxication all bottle
will be placed upon the table corked. Gutta
percba will be used to decorate the club hous
in various new and fantastic forms. All game
of chance, except faro, seven-up, poker, monte
roulette, euchre and stock gambling, will b
strictly prohibited. The rules and regulation
will be printed in Hebrew for the convenience
Of members, and any reference 70 the Christian
religion in the club rooms will be deemed sun
J Gent grounds fox expulsion. The Chicago pla'