The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-20
REPUBLICAN ORGANIZATION.
The Plan Followed in Pennsylvania for Twelve
Years. and How 1t Has Worked.

devised In 1880 by Chairman Cooper has
been in successful operation ever since, ex-
cept when the party has revolted against
unwise denominations. This one fact. that
the so-called machine failed to work
when popular sentiment was against it,
and tina. it never failed to build up an
enormous majority whenever the party
will had not been thwarted, shows of It.
self that the Cooper plan of organization
il not tyrannicai, but flexible, TO the feel
ing of the rank and file of the party.
The plan of organization as put in opera
ton in Pennsylvania Is:
First For the State chairman to obtain
a correct list of the county chairmen, with
the postoffice address OF each.
Seeond-Write TO the county chairmen
and obtain from them n correct list of the
members of each county committee by
townships and voting districts. The coun-
ty chairman must be urged to furnish the
correct postOiiice address of each comm T.
teeman. This is especially i'm portant as in
corresponding with so large number of
persons correct address for each Is essen
tial. not only to he sure that communica-
tions reach their destination, but In order
TO avoid betraying to the political enemy
the plan of campaign in every county OF
district.
Third-After this list OF county commit
teemeu and their addresses has been OBJ
tanned it becomes the duty of the State
chairman TO write to each county commit
teeman calling his attention To the neces-
sity of making canvass of his prec met
seeing that every Republican Is registered
and fully qualified for voting. AT the same
time the county chairman must be notified
of the absolute necessity OF looking after
Republicans who have failed to qualify.
At the same time there should be sent TO
the county chairman poll-books for dis
tributIon among the county committee
men. These poll books and their distri bu-
L md.
tial feature of the plan of organization,
because they are the basis of n preliminary
canvass. The name of every voter should
be placed in these poll books, and opposite
every name should he marked 'R" for Re-
publican. ID" for Democratic. ~" for Pro-
hibitlonist. II" for independent and 'F''
for Farmers Alliance. This work. care
fully done. furnishes the true basis for
work and organization. 1t shows the
county chairman just what has to be done
in bis county, and IL shows the State char
man the exact condition of feeling and
opinion among the people throughout the
State.
This is but preliminary canvass. After
Fourth-The county committeeman now
begin TO organize the counties. This is done
In the following manner: Each county
comm tteemen selects ten of the most Of
fectiye workers in his district. and for
wards their names and addresses TO the
State chairman. These ten men are known
as "vigIlant committee" The prepara-
tlon of these lists of ten should be TO each
county committeeman work of care.
Each one of these phalanxes of ten should
be known as n good. active. sober Repub-
lican. Each should be known as man
who Will take an Motive. earnest part in
the campaign. Moreover. and this Is
especially important, wherever there are
local fractional disagreements every ele-
ment of the party must be represented
upon this "vlgilant committee" of ten.
That tends to bring local elements into
fusion for the State and national tickets.
Especially important it Is 10 the State
chairman to know the exact postotfice ad-
dress of every member of each of these
vigiiant committees. In sending their lists
OF these men the county committeeman
should designate their city or town. their
street and number (If in the city, or their
postOtfice. If In the country.
Furnished with these thousands of names
and addresses of trustworthy Republicans
it becomes the duty of the State chairman
to write a personal letter TO each of them,
imposing the necessity of canvassing all
the voters of his neighborhood and learn
ing their feelings. lt Is important To enlist
the personal enthusiasm of each ''vigilant"
Ii is also important for the State chairman
TO write TO each ''vigilant" informing him
that his district cast so many votes for
the Republican nominees at the last cleo
tion, and that his influence is relied upon
TO secure certain number more in the
Finally, in rural districts il is an essent-
ial point to provide horses and wagons
without stint to convey voters To the polls.
This Is OF the utmost Importance, because,
If the weather lie bad In the country con-
veyances arc necessary To bring out the
vote. 10 secure this the State chairman
will secure from each of his "vigilants"
list of ten or twelve good Republicans in
his district who own horses and wagons,
and Will then send 10 each of them n
strong letter. asking them to give use of
their teams TO the party on election day.
This still further enlists an army OF men in
the organization.
The entire plan of organization, from its
beginning with the State chairman To Its
end with the individual voter. involves no
corruption of the ballot. IL involves n
large expenditure of money. but the dol
lars are used for postage stamps and they
go into she national treasury. Every cent
spent IN this plan of organization could he
submitted 10 tho scrutiny of the most cold
blooded committee Of expert bank examin-
ers. There Is no buy ing of ''hoaters:" there
IN no hiring of men 10 stay away from the
voting 10 ooths. On the contrary, the ex-
penditure Is wholly directed To bringing
out the full vote of the party. The plan is
here submitted. and expressions of opinion
as to Its DUPLICATION are invited.
1t has added 8. 600 votes TO the Repub-
lican strength in Pennsylvania. That is "a
proved fact. Why should not the Same
plan. carefully carried out. with n liberal
expenditure OF money for postage. under
skilled direction. accomplish the two pur-
poses of any political campaign III New
York-to reduce the TamInany majority IN
New lork city and TO bring out the full
Republican majority In the interior ofithe
STATED