Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-04
CLUB ORGANIZATION

sNiiNA~A- A-NriNA
Der last, and on the formation of the Ma
tional League of Republican Clubs, the
REcoRD-UNIoN urged upon the Repub-
licans Of California early organization of
the club system here under the League
Jurisdiction. A number of our contempo-
raries seconded the suggestion. 1t is now
full time to act upon it. Mr. Daniel j.
Ryan contributes a paper to the North
Ame-ioGn Repie,g upon the general subject
As he says, the Club Convention was an
event unprecedented in our political his
tory; bold experiment and brilliant
success At the time we expressed the
conviction that it indicated spirit among
Be 'ublicans that would demand reforma-
tion Of methods, and a closer approach to
purity in politics. The same idea, it is
clear, is entertained by the essayist re-
ferred to.
The chief immediate importance of the
Convention, he thinks, was its restraining
influence upon the hotspurs of the party,
who are disposed to rush into platform
making and declarations that are apt to
commit the party to given lines of policy,
In short, the Convention represented the
conservatism and caution of the party. 1t
therefore favored neither this nor that
candidate, and took up neither one nor the
other Of the booms that were attempted.
1t was National Convention in a broad
sense-the regret is that California was not
represented it brought new recruits and
veterans in the party face to face from the
North, South, East and West The leading
men in it were those who wear scars alike
of victory and defeat, and who command
profound respect from the younger ele-
ment
When the body got down from the plane
of enthusiasm to that of work, it wisely
resolved TO express no preference for candi-
dates, present or prospective, but TO devise
means Of better organization and co-opera-
ton. And this was done by formation of
the National League. Under this head it
is provided that there may be State or
Territorial leagues or clubs, and these are
TO hold annual conventions. There is to be
an Executive Committee, composed of one
member from each league, which is to
manage for the national body in the re-
cesses OF that body. Leagues and clubs
are prohibited from endeavoring in any
manner TO influence the action of any
national, State, county or municipal con-
vention, and from manifesting, as a league,
any preference before any political con-
vention, and from recommending any per-
son for ofiC ial position"
All this clearly indicates that the or
ganization is to be devoted to educating
work for the party, not to the advance
ment of private ambitions. One of the
best evidences of the value of the organiza-
ton is found in the fact that the Demo-
crazy has proposed similar league or
ganization, and convention is soon so be
held to effect it.
This system is one Of discipline; it
brings all the subdivisions of the Republi-
can party for missionary work under a
control agreed upon by the membership.
1t resembles the control in an army, with
a central head, and under it divisions with
their heads through which the several
sections of the force are reached and di-
rected. From this central club control
will emanate political information, sugges-
ton, advice, pamphlet political literature,
etc. In the Executive Committee will be
determined the best methods OF gea ,ral
work, the best means to be employed to
achieve specific ends, etc.
wei regulated, efficient club in party
work, says Mr. Ryan, is the most effective
party agency known to politics. He is
certainly right. Let the bosses control the
clubs and they rule the party let clubs
WORT at cross purposes, and the party will
sutier; let the party be without club organ
ization, and it lacks avenues through
which to direct its work The trouble has
been in the past, in Sacramento at least,
that the party clubs have lacked perman-
eney. They have been born of temporary
enthusiasm and mainly supported by levies
made upon candidate system repulsive
to independent men; they have not en-
listed the permanent interest of the men,
bership; their conduct has been left to the
few, and only on marching" and "boom"
occasions has their general strength been
made manifest. Under the league system
the clubs will be stable, lean upon the
membership for support only, be independ-
ent of candidates, cultivate political duty
doing, and stir up the indolent and neg
lectful to a seIse of their political obliga-
tons. The temporary club dies out as the
campaign torch expires, and it may well
be considered if it is not an injury to the
cause it assumes to forward, since it reveals
to voters how little the boss element cares
for them when the election is over, and in
disgust they 60 into retiracy and sink into
indisposition to engage in campaign work
Not so with Independent clubs, pledged to
no man, self-supportiug and permanent and
backed by the conviction of the member
ship that the policy of the party is the
best policy for the Government, and will
produce the best results for American
society. These permanent clubs have
strength also, rs Mr.. Ryan well saws, in
their social features; they bring party
men into closer communion and thus
smooth paths by interchange of thought,
that otherwise might remain rough, aud
encourage unity of purpose and action
where Jealousy, distrust and inharmony
IA sht prevail. Then, toe, as Mr.. Ryan
expresses it, they have healthy intellect
ual influence and bring to the front what
ever there is of political wisdom and
craftsmanship in the party
In whatever light the subject is viewed
at grows in favor; this compacting of the
party; this disciplining ofthe membership;
this harmonizing Of its elements ought to
be encouraged by permanent club forma-