Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-03-01
HOW TO ORGANIZE CLUBS.
AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT ISSUED BY
THE OFFICERS OF TIE NATION
Al LEAGUE.

prepared for the approaching campaign
by the new National Republican League
has just been completed. It is little
pamphlet entitled Permanent Organ
ization," and besides containing names
of the officers and executive committee
men of the League, has this table OF
contents:
History Of the Republican League.-C Constitution
of Republican League.-ReSulutiOnS of National
ConventiGn-PcTmanent Organnaiion-EoW To
Organize Republican -lncorpoTated CtihS.
First Step in Organizing Constitutions for New
Clubs.-FOmatiOn for State LeagueS.-Iarlh and
Other Campaign Literature
The book is the work of President
Foster and Secretary Humphrey. \
concise introduction states that it is IS
sued by the League for the purpose Of
supplying information daily called for at
headquarters. 1t adds: "Our object is
to secure immediate permanent Repub-
lican organizations in every part of the
country. The League plan is to enlist
Republicans under one national banner
of RepublicaniSm, and not to antagoniZe
anything by the common enemy"
On the subject of permanent club or
ganization it is stated that the primary
object of the League is the organization
of permanent Republican clubs in every
State. county, city, town and school dis
trict where it is possible to perfect a Re
publican organization. It is particularly
desirable that it should be thoroughly
understood that this organization is not
to seek, or in any manner to promote,
the interests of any candidates prior to
their nomination by the regular PARTY
conventions. The first object to keep
in mind is thorough and complete party
organization upon broad, fair and lib
eral basis, which will bring into the ranks
of the party all Republicans who may
wish to become identified with il. 1t is
particularly desirable that special efforts
should be made to enlist the young men
Just entering upon their first political
duties, and men who have hitherto been
more or less Indifferent to the manage
ment of political affairs. Campaign
clubs and legitimate campaign work are
not to be disparaged- they are essential
and most important in their proper place,
but it is an error to suppose that mere
enthusiasm is sufficient to produce the
discipline and organization required TO
develop the full power of the party. The
ideal Republican club is an organization
that maintains its activity throughout
the year, and every year. Its primary
object should be enrolled among its
members and good Republicans within
its territorial limits. 1t should hold a
meeting at least once month, at which
a paper on some political subject should
be read by member or invited guest,
or some living question discussed. 1t
should provide comfortable club house
or headquarters, open every evening,
where the members may meet in politi-
cal and social intercourse. 1t should
found a political library (however small
at first it is sure to grow, and furnish
the club room with the current political
literature of the day as found in the
party newspapers and the magazines. 1t
should see that every Republican voter
discharges his duty on election day.
The first thing to do in the organiZa-
ton of a club is to briefly write out a
declaration of intentions, something like
this:
We, the undersigned Republicans Of, he
lieving that the principles of RepublicaniSn can
he further advanced by organizing a permanent
Republican club in this locality, hereby enroll our
selves for that purpose
It is advisable to secure as many names
as possible to this list, and particularly
of the solid influential business men of
each locality, and the young, active men
of intelligence and energy, ,enlisting every
Republican who is in sympathy with the
movement and desirous of success.
When this is done call a meeting of the
subscribers for the purpose Of temporary
or permanent organization.
The stated objects Of the new clubs
are to advocate, promote, and maintain
the principles of Republicanism as enun-
ciated by the Republican party, to direct
and interest in politics those who have
been more or less Indifferent to their
political duties; to encourage attendance
at the primary meetings, in order that
honest and capable men may be nOmin-
ated: to guard and defend the purity of
the ballot box; to promote the cause of
government; to work in harmony with
and carry out the plan of permanent Re
publican Club organizations through the
Republican League.
Here is an important section of the
constitution for clubs:
This club shall not endorse any candidate for
any public office except those duly nominated by
the regular National, State, Congressional. Sena-
tOiial and County conventions Of the Republican
party, and in no case shall any Democrat be en-
dOrScd.
In regard to State leagues the instruc-
tions are that, where no State leagues
have been formed, State conventions
will be called by the officers of the Re
publican League of the United States
representing those states, and by au-
thOrity of the national organization in
States where its officers have not been
selected.
The convention should be composed
of three or more delegates from each
permanent Republican club in the State,
and when assembled will exercise its
own powers for the purpose of Organiz-
ing a Republican State League under
the Republican League of the United
States.
ISAAC r. Hill. of Washington, D. c.,