Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-08
OHIO POLITICS.
THE DEMOCRATIC NEED OF 0RGANl-
ZATl0N.
Discipline vs.. 0rganizatiOn-A MOmentOus
Campaign Impending Republican
Tactics - Their Plans in
Close Counties.

have been rather SOleUr de rare, and the
facts have justified me in so reporting.
Nor do l see anything yet but the bright
est prospects ahead for the Democrats
il they will only 20 to work. 1t
is an axiom, though, as old and
well-grOunded as the rock-ribbed hills,
that the Lord helps only those who
help themselves, and unless the Demo-
Gratis get TO work soon, they can expect
no assistance, neither divine or mum
dane. The great drawback 10 the party
at the present time is its lack OF organi-
zation. In the words of song lately so
popular in London, slightly paraphras-
ed, however, to suit time and occasion:
We expect to have 10 fight
And by jiugO II we do,
We've got the men;
We've gut the votes:
We've got the people, too.
But all that will not avail us if we
have not an effective organization. 1t
behOoves the Democrats, then, 10 or
ganize; not reorganize-God knows the
PARTY has done enough Of that-but
organize thoroughly and efectivelyly in
every county, township, school district,
ward and voting precinct OF the State.
! The Republicans have adopted and en-
| tered upon an elaborate and cOmprC-
| hensiye scheme of organization, and the
| Democrats should proceed to do so
forthwith With complete and thor
Ough organization there need be no APP
/ prchenSiOn felt concerning the result OF
this election, the Democrats can carry
this State. Without this organization
the fight will be hopeless.
The coming campaign promises to be
/ mOmcntuOus one, not only from the
calibrc and rude reputation Of the can
didatcs, but in view of the influence it
must exert upon the country at large
/ We feel this responsibility over here,
/ and recognize the importance of
/ this situation. The election of Ewing
means "cue" which other doubtful
/ States will be quick To- take at the
| general November elections 4 month
| later, and will induce such States to
/ wheel into line in the Democratic
| column, rendering the election OF a
| Democratic President next year mat
| ter of certainty. A Republican victory,
| on the other hand, will lead TO similar
results for the Republicans. 1t is not
| To be wondered az, then, that we feel,
over here, the responsibility OF our posi-
| ton. The pivotal State in American
| politics, the CynOSnre of all the eyes OF
| two continents, we feel weighted down
/ with responsibility, as il were, but eX-
/ peCt 10 be able To withstand the pres
/ sure.
Nothing but the magnificent discipline
Of the Democratic party has conduced to
-. r.. s,,.....,..- : ,siiO, VuU o'O" '',tS
discipline, etlicacious as it is, cannot be
pitted much longer against the thorough
organization of the Republicans. The
party discipline of the latter does not
compare with that of the former, but on
the other hand the organization OF the
| former does not compare with that ot
| the latter. Always thorough from hav-
! inc means i'm abundance at command 10
| perfect il, this organization is being re-
| duced to a system that enables the party
managers here at Columbus TO know
| the exact political status of every voter
| in Ohio. 1t requires many agents and
large expenditures, as a matter Of course,
| 10 ACQUIRE this information, but these
the Republican party has had dd EbitItm
and the benefits accruing therefrom, in
4 a
repaid the original cost. The Democrats,
on the other hand, from long exclusion
from the public crib, have been
and are poor. They have been unable
To effect an organization such as the
! Republicans have from lack OF means,
and it must be confessed, also, have
been rather indifferent and careless.
The time has now come, though, when
inIitference and carelessness must be
nut aside and all hands set to work or
ranizing. Money is lacking, but the old
time party discipline remains and the
managers must appeal To every com
mand, their party adherents to manifest
their LOYALTY 10 Democratic principles
and assist i'm the work of organization.
! This they are doing, but the work Is
| slow. Ii they succeed, however, IN et-
fccting an organization even One-halt as
perfect rs that of the Republicans, this,
! coupled with the esprit and discipline
for which the Buckeye Democracy are
famous, will certainly elect General Ew-
ing and 4 Democratic Legislature and
United States Senator, with President
wear later. twill be seen, therefore,
that much depends upon the result oi
our oct pber election.
The Republican campaign this year is
10 bee an aggressive one. They began
by carving the war into Africa, and
have continued the same tactics. But
even Democrats are found TO acknowl-
edge that they had been instrumental
i'm inaugurating the reforms. Their
policv this wear has been 10 90 into
Democratic and doubtful counties, and
bv interviewing the better class oi citl-
ZcnS, who, mayhap have become dis
gustcd and withdrawn from actual par
ticipation in local politics, nominate a
ticket which shall be uneXceptlpnal IN
its composition and mOrdit. Notably
has this been the case in this franklin
countv. For 80 long time back
that the memory of man knoweth
not 10 the contrary this county
has been n Democratic stronghold,
the majority being anywhere from
eighteen hundred to twenty-five hum
dred. the city having 4 reliable majority
Of eight hundred. The biz malOrltles
and their reliability brought professional
politicians and political triCkstcrS to the
front. until every Office was filled by a
member of the ring, the official deSlgna-
ton of which was the ~ Dung Men
Democratic Club OF Franklin County.
Long immunity from interference made
them bold and still bolder, until they
carried things with such high hand
that decent Democrats not only became
| luke warm, but many refrained altogeth-
er from participation in politics.
Thus matters stood last spring when
". Neil Dennison, son OF eX-Governor
DenniSOn, and 4 renegade Republican,
obtained the Democratic ring nomIna-
ton for Mayor Of Columbus. 1t was then
that the Republicans developed their tao
ties, nominating good municipal ticket,
the better class OF citizens, irrespective OF
party, rallied to its support, and the
Democratic majority OF eight hundred
was converted into an opposition ma
iority of eighteen hundred. Although
this conSummation was maniiestly due 10
the hundreds of Democrats who either
| ,,f,,s,J ,ltc.,athpr IN vote or else voted