Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-01-19
LOCAL DEMOCRACY.
The jefferson Club Hold an Enthusiastic
Meeting Last Night and Feel Correspond
ingly Happy To-day.


Meeting Last Night and Feel Correspond
ingiy Happy To-day.
The following report of the Jefferson
Club meeting. held last night is sent to the
and cheerfully published
because of its virtue as an interesting news
item:
To the Editor Of the Globe Republic:
The local democracy are feeling good to
day. and ii must be admitted they have con-
siderable cause for feelings Of exuberance,
as they have accomplished thing that
Springfield republicans, with all their pres
tige, numbers and power, have been trying
In vain to do for year past They have In
active and prosperous existence political
organization, known as the jefferson Club.
which bids fair to be power in local demo-
cratic councils in future. The success of our
democratic friends in accomplishing such an
organization may be due to the fact that they
are out in the cold, so far as local affairs are
concerned. and feel the need of holding to
gether 10 keep warm. while the republicans
are i'm tOasting their shins by the warm fire
side. and consequently have the same feel
ing of independence that induces q pro-
gressive euchre player to ''go it alone. y
But be this as it may, the fact remains that,
while the republicans have been making
futile efforts to organize the Lincoln club,
the democrats have been moving right
ahead, and today have an organization past
its first year, with all debts paid, and with
a most prosperous outlook for the future.
Last evening was the time for the regular
semi-mOnthly meeting, and the club rooms
i'm the Buckingham block were well filed
with mterrifed and exuberant democrats.
The meeting was lively and almost red-hOt
at times, as Johnny Kinnane was there to
keep the boys stirring. when In
terest seemed to lag. During the week
previous. the directors Of the club had been
busily engaged In putting up lazy and indo-
lent democrats by means OF circulars and
personal solicitations. md the result was
that iifty-three new names were proposed
for membership by different members. The
fact that the initiation fee was put down
from five TO one dollar was largely instru-
mental in this good result The success Of
this reduction induced the club to further
cut down the cost Of membership by
reducing the annual dues from six to three
dollars The members now have high hopes
Of bringing In one hundred more names by
next meeting. and should such be the case,
the dues will probably be still further re
duced. thus giving every democratic voter
in the city chance to join. The
discussion over the amendment reduc-
ing dues was rather exciting at times,
some members, notably Johnny Kinnane,
insisting that they should at once be re
duced to one, or not more than two dollars
annually. Johnny became very much ex-
cited. but cooled of when he discovered
that the directors. who have 10 stand re-
sponsible for all bills, were unanimously
opposed to so great reduction at once.
1t was decided that the room be kept
open every night, and that periodicals and
newspapers be furnished BY the club. A
committee consisting Of Messrs. thinner
man. West and Harris was appointed to se-
lect this reading matter and report at next
meeting. Dave Conner offered to donate
one copy of the Enquirer for one year,
which generous offer was promptly accepted.
An amendment to the constitution, making
ten members instead Of fifteen quorum
was passed. A committee consisting Of
Messs. Zimmerman. Hagan, Williamson.
johnson, and Dr. Myers was appointed on
literary and other exercises, as II is the pur-
pose Of the club TO invite speakers 70 ad-
dress it at each meeting. A committee COM
posed Of Messrs. J. K. Kershner, w. R.
Burnett, Frank Grove, John A. Funk and
J. W. Thomas was appointed ON banquets
and celebration. The first celebration will
probably be that of JeffersOn's birthday.
Before the meeting adjourned the following
resolution was introduced +. NJ. Hagan:
Resolved. That this club has learned with
pleasure of the return to Springfield of her
distinguished citizen and democrat Hon.
John w. Bookwalter, to whom we extend q
hearty greeting. and hereby request him to
address the club at its next regular meet
ing. Monday, Feb. 1st.
Looking at the meeting in the light of
the action taken. it was the most important
the club has yet held, as on such action the
future success or failure Of the club, as il
may be, will largely depend. The re-
ductiOn of initiation fees and dues was
certainly shrewd step, and should serve
as pointer to republican organizers.
DEMOCRAT.