Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-29
Permanent Republican Clubs.

Inc North American Review for March.
has series Of articles from prominent Re-
pupiicah7 IN every section of the country,
giving their opinion on the importance of per-
manent organization Of Republican clubs in
their locality. There are twenty-five articles
IN all, and among the contributors are Mr..
James 7. Foster, President of the National
League, .enators Edmunds of Vermont. Al
drich of Rhode Island, Chandler of New
Hampshire, Governor Alger of Michigan.
Hon WIN. Walter Phelps of New Jersey.
Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts,, J. s.
Ciarkson Of Iowa and Mr. Manley of this
city. The collection of views is valuable
contribution to the movement now spreading
over the country, to form permanent Repub-
hcan clubs. We quote from Mr. Manley's
article, which sets forth in a clear light many
reasons in favor of the club system in our
State
The Importance of permanent organiza-
ton of Republican clubs in Maine canno, be
oyerestmated. Fixed club life of any kind
is unknown within our borders. outside of the
cities of Portland and Bangor The one
great need of the Republican party to-day is
thorough discussion of the tariff. The per
manent ri ib will occupy to the Republican
party the relative position that the Sunday
school does to the Church. 1t will be
the training school the great volunteer
army the party organization repre-
srntlng the regular army. The club will fill
a long-needed want; organized as it is to be,
for the purpose of electing the party candi-
dates, and not debating its nominations it
will not SAVIOR of bossism or machine. twill
be the rallyng point for the enthusiasm of
youth and the conservatism of middle age ; it
will be the means by which and through
which the people of the State may become
thoroughly educated and instructed on all
political questions; it will be the debating
club in our long winter evening for the dis
cusSion of Republican principles, and upon
election day, will be the rallying committee,
whose duty it will be to see that every Re-
publican elector votes. No party can hope
for success without thorough and perfect
organization. The club system will do val
liable aud effective work, which party COM
mttecs could not hope to perform. 1t has
long been known that the regular party com
mittces could not reach large class of
voters; the club can, through its general and
popular organization, accomplish this object.
The club will not in any way diminish
the work or restrict the duties of
the party committees. but will supplement
and make more thorough party work. The
Republicans are reading and a thinking
people aud large class of them do not
interest themselves in party contests, unless
some great principle is involved. The club
viii have this field to cultivate in dissemnat-
ing proper literature upon economic and
political questions, by the circulation of news
papers the distribution of public speeches,
and the encouragement of public discussion;
work in the broad field of educating people
ou the great questions which should absorb
their interest. our State is especially adapted
for its work; reaching cities, towns, and
large villages, the club will add to the
strength, yigor, power, and increase numer
icaly the Republican party in Maine"