Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-07-31
The REPUBLICAN LEAGUE.

THE REPUBLICAN LEAGUE.
This distinctly Republican organiza-
ton held is first National convention in
Chickering Hall, Boston, December 18th.
10th and 18th, 1887, and adopted con-
stitutiop. The officers of the National
league are a president, secretary and
treasurer, a vice-president and a men,
Der of the National executive commit
tee from each State and Territorial
league. The present vice-president
from Vermont is DIR. R. NJ. Chase of
Bethel, and the present member of the
executive committee is the Hon. Hamil-
ton S. Peck OF this city. The objects of
the league are to encourage and assist
in the formation of league clubs in every
town in each State and Territory, to
unite such clubs for executive and or
ganized work, and generally to advance
the principles of the Republican party.
We quote from the constitutions: This
league shall not in any manner endeav-
or to influence the action of any Ma
tional, State, county or municipal con-
vention, nor shall it, as league, recon-
mend any person as an applicant for any
official position"
1t will thus be seen that the league
was not formed to advance the political
prospects of ally man or any set of men.
It's broad foundation is the platform of
the Republican party. Its purpose is to
spread abroad the Republican gospel
and to aid in electing the nominees of
the Republican party; not to dictate nor
influence the selections of these nomi-
nees AS such an organization, the
league has had phenomenal success.
Every State and Territory has State
and Territorial league. The National
league has had for its presidents such
men as Judge John NJ. Thurston of Ne
braska, personally known to many Yer
monters, and the Hon. James 5. Clark
son of Iowa. It's present president is
the Hon. W. w. Tracy of Illinois, a
young and aggressive Republican. Its
efficient secretary is the Hon. A. B.
Humphrey, who has several times been
reelected to this Office. The last Ma
tional league convention was held June
Goth, at Denver.
In Vermont, State league was organ
lied soon after the formation of the Ma
tional league. In 1888, Senator Redfield
Proctor was It's president, in 1890, the
Hon. Josiah Grout. In February, 1892,
a very enthusiastic and successful State
league convention was held in this city.
At that time Col. George T. Childs of
st. Adams, was elected president; Wal
ter b. Gates of Burlington, secretary,
and the Hon. F. A. Dwinell of Mont
pelier, treasurer. They are the present
officers of the State league. Local
league clubs have been organized in
nearly $50 towns in the State.
By common consent, politics in the
State are quiet, except when the time
comes to elect governor or president.
The voters cannot afford, nor do they
wish to be kept on the alert all the year.
They have other business to attend to.
So it comes about that, while our local
clubs continue their existence, they do
not hold meetings and do active work,
except during the biennial campaigns.
Our Republican majority is so large
there is no need of keeping up constant
warfare. In some States, like New
York, Ohio and Massachusetts, a yearly
State league convention is held, and the
machinery of the local clubs is kept in
order. The reason is obvious. Our
population, being largely rural, our in
dustries chiefly agricultural, and our
people intelligent enough to do their
own thinking, the demand that calls for
ceaseiess activity in other States is lack
ing in this State. Besides a president,
secretary and treasurer, our State league
has an executive committee consisting
of one member of local club from each
county. Our State league and local
clubs have all the machinery necessary
to carry on a vigorous and aggressive
campaign. The particular business of
each local club is to lead the young yot-
ers into the right political fold, to aid in
correcting check lists, to disseminate
campaign literature, to do individual
missionary work, and to help elect the
Republican nominees. This, and kin
dred work, the clubs do, and do it with
marked success.
Every National league convention is
made up of delegates from the State and
Territorial leagues. 1t will be noticed,
therefore, that the State leagues are
kept in touch with the National league
and its work, and that there is offered a
grand opportunity to young men to see,
hear and learn of National politics, and
be active and interested members of a
large, intelligent and successful organi-
cation, whose sole purpose is the main
tenance of sound Republican principles,
and the continued ascendancy in power
of the Republican party.
1t is hoped that our local league clubs
will get into speedy working order. Let
the present officers call meetings for the
organization and the election of officers,
for consultation, and interchange of
thoughts and plans, touching the pres
ent campaign. In this way, young Re-
publicans, you can add lustre'to the rec
ord of the party of your choice, and I'm
prove golden opportunity for self-edu-
cation in Republican principles. In tails
way you may become potent factors in
rolling up big majority in September,
for Woodbury. and Mansur, and the
other State nominees. Free Press.