The herald., 1896-03-15
DEMOCRATS MUST ORGANIZE
A Movement to Form a Local lroquois
Club
Heeting Last Evening at Which the Pre-
Iiminary Steps We're Taken-i1sx Pep.
per and Louis Metzgar Attend

preliminary conference was held at
the offices of Hon. T. +. Gibbon, in the
Byrne building, last evening, with a view
to forming a branch of the state Demo-
cratic lroquois organization. There were
present Max Pepper. past sachem of the
state league, Louis Metzgar, the state vice.
sachem, and Messrs. T. E. Gibbon, Gen.
Charles Last, Frank G. Finlayson and Ira
b. Wood.
Mr.. Pepper briefly outlined the purposes
of the conference and urged the import
ance of organization. He said that he did
not regard the outlook for the Democrats
as gloomy as the Republicans seemed to
regard it. The attitude of Mr.. Mckinley
on the financial question had again put his
party on tine defensive, and if the Demo-
Gratis would only organize and take advan-
tage of their opportunity, there was good
fighting chance. This uncertainty on the
financial question, Mr.. Pepper said, was to
a great degree responsible for the present
state of affairs, and it would be immeasur-
ably better to go in at once and have the
matter settled once and for all than to have
matters go on as at present. Mr.. Pepper
favored organizing on broad national lines.
The time had gone by for maintaining par
ty lines on municipal issues. and it could
not he done. In any organization this
would have to be eliminated to be success
full. In the matter of the proposed organ-
ization, Mr.. Pepper said that the name was
immaterial. OF course the lroquos club
would feel complimented if that name was
adopted, but this was not essential.
MIR. Gibbon was of the opinion that the
organization should be effected on high
lines and should be composed of men of
standing who really represent the princi-
pies of the Democratic party.
Mr.. Pepper called attention to the fact
that the meeting was not called primarily
for the purpose of organizing, but to con-
slider it's feasibility. II it was decided that
such an organization was desirable and
feasible, then n canvass could be made and
the actual work commenced.
MIR. tiniayson thought that the organiza-
ton should be educational in it's character.
All local jealousies must be avoided, and
there must be no antagonism of local in
terest. If organized on right lines this
could be done, and the club could be made
a power for good.
A general discussion followed. in which
all those present took part. 1t developed
that sentiment was practically unanimous
that an organization on the lines proposed
was not only desirable, but a necessity.
There we're some slight differences as to
details, but even these disappeared as the
debate proceeded.
Mr.. Metzgar gave an interesting sketch
of what had been done by the IroquOis
club in San Francisco, especially during
the last campaign, and instanced. among
other things, the monster mass meeting at
the pavilion, which, perhaps, as much as
any one thing turned the tide in favor of
Gov. Budd Mr.. Metzgar went into de-
tails as to the conduct of the club and the
part it had taken in the politics of San
francisco and the state.
Mr.. Pepper said that if it was decided to
organize he could promise that Raleigh
Barker, the state sachem, with Mr.. Metz
gar, possibly himself and other members
of the organization would come Down and
assist.
There was some further debate. when an
ad ournment was taken 10 Tuesday even-
ing next, at the same time and place, when
final arrangements for the organization
will be decided upon.