The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-15
RnlmuymG lispaitls.
SATURDAY. :. SEPTEMBER 10, 1888
Precinct Committees.


We hear that In some OF the counties
The Democrats are slow IN organ
iziug. They seem 10 be in no hurry TO
carry out the plan adopted by the authori-
ties Of the party, though experienced CAM
paigners look upon the precinct commit
tees as the most important part Of the or
ganization. Here Is the plan:
"County and city committees shall forth
with appoint precinct COMMITTEES. consist
ing OF five or more active working-Demo-
Gratis from each voting-precinct sucn
precinct committees shall prepare lists OF
All the voters IN their respective voting
precincts, ascertaining and recording ihe
political proclivitics OF each voter, when
list shall he furnished, when completed, 70
the county or city secretary, ana by MN
recorded in a book, whereupon the origi-
nails shall be returned TO the precinct COM
mitiee.
"The precinct committee shall visit every
voter prior TO an election; shan see 10 the
question OF registration and transfers; snali
furnish the voter all necessary information
10 that end, and shall be charged with the
duty Of procuring his vote to be properly
cast.
"When, in the judgment OF the precinct
committee, their number should be III
creased. they may enlarge it by their own
appointment. They shall elect chair
man, secretary, and treasurer"
Asa leading Democrat in Southwest Nir-
ginia writes us, this portion OF the plan
brings the organization down to the pco-
pie. Ii allows every voter TO be commit
teeman IL necessary. These precinct COM
mittces are the people-the voters them
sclvcs-and when we secure their active
cooperation the victory is as good as won.
Will not the Democrats Of every precinct
In the Commonwealth go to work at once !!
Shall there longer be any reason for appre-
hensionf Is the cause in which we are
engaged unworthy of the little sacrifice of
time and ease which such a course would
render necessary?
Now is the time to strike the blow which
is to break the letters binding the Old Do
minion to the car of MALONE. This is the
year la which to fight the presidential bat
tie of 1884 so far as Virginia Is concerned.
Nav, more: IL you lose Virginia this year
other southern States next year. Her eX-
ample may lead astray her sisters. Ohio
may he lost TO the Democrats on the
9th OF October. She votes four
weeks before Virginia does. II, then,
in addition to the loss OF Ohio,
the national Democratic party shall this year
lose Virginia. dark and gloomy indeed will
be the prospect OF that party. 1t is the
battle OF the national Democratic party that
you are fighting here in Virginia. We
bear the banner, but the noble Democratic
sons OF other states watch us with the
deepest interest and sympathize with lis
to the fullest extent. HANCOCK, SEYMOUR,
RANDALL, TILDEN, BAYARD, THURMAN, and
a whole host OF true Democrats beyond the
borders OF Virginia, will keep their eyes
fixed upon lis from now until the day OF
election; will rejoice over our victory in
November, il we gain one; and mourn
over our defeat, il defeat shall be our fate.
Appoint, then. your precinct commit
tees. Thus viii you throw the response
bility upon the voters themselves. Thus
you will make the triumph or the failure,
theirs. Thus you will recognize them as
an important part of the party-as indeed
they are. Surely that voter will be in
place on election-day whose duty it is to
see that others attend the election; and
this duty will be every voters who serves
upon precinct committee.