Los Angeles herald., 1890-09-01
Suggestions About Organization

EDITOR HERALD The discussion now
going on as to how the primaries should
be held, if it does no other good, will re-
suit in incidentally awakening the Dem
ocracy to the necessity for more effective
county organizations.
All the local clubs have declared
themselves in favor of purity in primary
elections, and it is fair to presume that
the wisdom of the county central COM
mittee will devise some satisfactory
plan.
The question of organization however
has sea, cely been touched upon until
the adoption by the Seventh Ward Dem
ocratic club OF the resolutions appearing
in Sundays HERALD. 1t seems to me
that the suggestions are in the right
direction as far as they go.
To a person familiar with political
methods in the states OF New York and
Indiana, where every foot OF ground is
contested and every nook and corner
ransacked for voters, the plan OF cam
paign in this county seems loose and
ineffective.
am believer in a political machine,
not only because it is a necessity to
evitable. There will always be a ma
and the machine is the best one which
most nearly reflects the popular will.
In this city and county there are sew
eral influential clubs, each independent
of the other, and each naturally ambi-
tious to be regarded as the most potent
factor in politics. There being no COM
mon authoritative power to direct their
efforts, the work of campaign is many
times duplicated and the attendant ex-
pense increased, while the struggle for
supremacy often leaves lasting scars on
the party. The clubs are composed of
loyal, enthusiastic Democrats, and that
very enthusiasm leads to these results.
1t is the fault of the system.
Again, it handicaps the committee.
If it avails itself of the services of a
particular club, it is liable to be charged
with partiality, while if it fails to do so,
it may be said to be guilty of negligence.
The need of the hour of this county is
strong cohesive organization with its
branches radiating from common CEN
ter, the central committee, and under
it's direction and control.
The plan in operation in San Francisco,
limited at in the resolutions, modified to
suit this locality, would it seems to me
be as nearly perfect and come as close
to the people as any that could be de-
vised.
This scheme, as the HERALD knows,
consists of district and precinct clubs
organized by and subject to the central
committee. The precinct club is the
Democracy ofthe precinct. Every Demo
cratic voter, as nearly as may be, is ex-
pected to be enrolled on the club mem
bership, and he cannot be so enrolled
unless he is registered voter. In
these clubs the party battles Of the
Democracy are fought, contests are set
tied by the central committee, new cleo
tions are ordered if necessary and party
conflicts settled within the party. In
this method the entire strength of the
party is utilized and directed against
the common enemy; and the central
committee has behind it powerful and
compact organization.
This does not, by any means, do away
with the Independent club which, out
side of the regular organization, per-
forms most important part in educat-
ing public sentiment and creating en-
thusiasm in the party ranks.
In an ''off year, victory is secured by
getting out the party vote. With this
plan of organization and the Tilden
method of canvass in operation, | believe
that harmony would be prompted,
many votes gained and the interests OF
the party and the people best subser-
we'd.
The opportunity for the county CEN
trail committee to distinguish itself is an
excellent one. VIM. ALEX. RYAN.