New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-23
VALUE OF POLITICAL CLUBS.
DO THEY OR Do THEY NOT STRENGTHEN
\ PARTY?

OUTLINE OF \ DEBATE on THIS SUBJECT By
THE HARLEM DEMOCRATIC CLUB ODD
POINTS NAMED BY THE NEGATIVE SIDE
MEETING OF THE REPUBLICAN,
NATIONAL LEAGUE COMMITTEE.
A debate of particular interest 10 members o.
Republican and other political clubs TOOK pace ON
December 10 at the Harlem DemocraHs
Club. New-York Do Political Clubs Strengtheh
Political Parties ," was the subject OF IT, ana the
fact that all those who participated IN 10 were
Democrats does not necessarily detract from l's
practical value 10 any one Interested III the NC
publican League movement.
There was n large attendance John !. y Relily
called the meeting TO order and :. Adler was
chosen chairman John A. Mason opened the oe-
bate for the affirmative. saying among other
things This subject is one of the most lmpor-
tant that members Of any party can discuss Ae
first one would say that the question does not al
nit Of discussion For if political parties are
more than a lot Of men banded together for the
purpose of securing Office, if they are formed 10
advocate certain principles of government ana %
establish those principles then the value OF CLUBS
10 a party is evident. No party can succeed I'M
less the people educated in IFS principles anu
understand the purpose of lis existence am
firm believer in organization. | believe IN inc
political machine \ political party without
strong machine and without strong men al us
head is little more than a dsorganiZed mob. we
have evidences of This at every election
Education is the work of the hour. Ever
since Grover Cleveland issued his tariff reform
message we have been educating the people II
this work had been left 10 Taunmany Han ana the
County Democracy IN this city, and to like organ
81.
have been informed as 10 the issues at stake The
result of the last election was not due TO the potl-
cal organizations but to the educational work OF
nolitical clubs From the time of Jefferson
political clubs have done much for the good OF
fine peoDle Tilden owed his success 10 the pohtl-
cal clubs and tine education of the people Pohicat
clubs with right principles are doing a great WORK
spreading news and interesting people IN the heens
of the countrv History teaches that the
tendency of political organizations Is TOO often 10
tie vestng Of the authority IN the hands oil one
man. a Boss only by having numbers VINO are
brought - believe in the principles and objects
OF the party can that party succeed.
Edward O. Shea was the first speaker on tie
negative side Of the question. lie SAID tha', IKE
a true soldier he o0eyed the command TO speak
on the wrong side OF the question. Iheh lie
created something OF a stir by declaring: Polli-
cal clubs composed Of professional politicians VIII
disntegrate any party. On the other hand, clubs
of intelligent men may place our great farm fe-
former in the White House We may even "A-
meet 70 s4e member of the Harlem Democratic
Climb made United States Consul 10 Cork.
d. y. Caryalho was tie next speaker tor the
affirmative He said. had the honor of being
secretary of the convention Of Democratic CUBS
in Baltimore and while there senator Horman
said that political club, an indispensable adj
iunct 10 a political party. and more especially I"
the Democratic party are of great service L
am of opinion that he is right Men seek as
ISOLATION with each other. and II is nat"ral Tor
these clubs TO exist Men sometimes meet others
in politics whom they do not care 10 mA WIN
sociary but they are willing TO vote with them.
The FOOD that is accomplished by the clubs Is -
Great thar il can no longer h. disputed.
Era 4 Tutte preiaccd his argument pN re-
mark that if his views were moi IN ACCORD WIN
tLos. of others. he hoped that ANYTHING ne might
SAY will not stand in the way of his political pre-
ferpeut. adding: If the question had hern
stated a, referring 10 tie political community
ufsht have been on the other SIDE. me ci'p ID
,u,rical TO the STRENGTH Of the political party
..,pt.nd il Is a weakness to have any large num-
b.r of men in Il party To think Tor th"mSeNtS'
II +, better Tor the party 10 Work IN NC %. n,
All history bears me out IN the assertion ua' NJ
STRENGTH Of the party depends upon me supuilS-
SION 10 the boss How would kls'Ht TX I" r t.n
political clubs. and political dlSc"SsoI,s "o ~
pLn look part would be allrooGe" 10
Ne 'E know that raumauy Hall did not poll more
than one-thirl of Tire vote III lnis :" ,i"u c.,,"n
civ That was because The people of ms Srrt3n
,LinL for themselves. and vote as theA lhllN.
Whrr. did Iammsny sct IFS Str'n&lh Am ,.,,ss
the masses It's vote was ciS' Nv me" 49,. "',n -,
icon within party lines and pay no attention 70
discussion and exposure. IniriHsehce ana dclNe
minds IN club have CAUSED dlS>eh'ioh ana spi''
along the line. l. ,ho aoor said.
am, a believer m political clubs. Last election
was due mom 10 the work oil '' Guns 'i'" ~
any party orgenizatl9"' or 10 P;iN t%s ci,bs NAV
disseminate club literature, more information Is
10 he gained from the daily papers. .,.
VI Fr,nkrl considered knowledge ne strength
of any political Organization The political party
xlIrL adopts thr lest principles VIII come Qua
ahead Tie social life OF the political cI"o yves
= lett,r idea of a candidates PERSONALITY
I'm closing the debate Mr.. Mason said ne
opinion expressed that the people of inns 'oIn'N
20 10 the polls 10 cypress the WI OF DOS T 40
o. blink j. right This = not Russia. ms -
R.nuhiir Il i governe not bN gar = lhat
was attempted within year, ana ln'a; FTnnce ,
for generations was a MONARCHY. pay '!UoS WEI"
formed aud republic Was created 'n" ehIuir'.
In Fuglond tremendous changes ne being wrought
bv noticnl clubs Travel from London TO me
smallest town and ON WI ma ine Pot aonn
club The same i truc Of lreland IN ms coun-
trv n party founded upon honorable and lnst
prnciplr> is bound t. he strengthened by ;he Tor
nation of political clubs.
r., nm OVERWHELMING vote i, decided that
political clubs do strengthen political parties.
The date of he uiecunI oi me kePnphc'"n NJ
,innal League Executive COMMITTEE las mol Aee
loon G\pd but Il will probably De- held gust he
fore or Immediately after the holidays WASH
iu,tou has been decided upon rs the place oi meet
ipy President Thur~top - anxious to haNe every
member Of TN committee IN attendance. and II -
hi. rudeavor 10 SECURE the attendance OF all that
has caused the delay.