Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-12
PREPARE NOW FOR Isos.
Otey Suggests
Scheme Of Organization.
Washington Post

burg. As an organizer he Is without
peer. and IL vas due to his genius in this
direction that he was selected as the
chairman of the silver forces, organizing
n campaign which led TO a strong delega-
ton for free coinage from that state. lie
is now the Democratic National Commit
teeman for Virginia. and his position, as
well as his long and successful expert
ence in politics. make his views on the
present situation Of the Democratic party
of more than usual interest.
I'm time of peace prepare for war;
said Major Otey, quoting an old proverb
TO a reporter yesterday. 1T is MAXIM
he added. which presents Il key to sue
cess in many undertakings.
Eat this particular time-this year OF
lS97-everything is propitious for It's APP
plication TO the Democratic party Ihere
are no elections of a national character
this year. To take advantage OF this in
te.val of peace. while there Is no poiitlcal
storm. when no candidates are TO be con-
sidered. I'm order to prepare for the battle
for Congress in 1898. and for the presi-
Dental campaign of 1900. would be, in my
opinion. the essence of political sagacity.'
A NATIONAL CONVENTION.
what would you suggest?
set us do what has never been done
call a national convention "a delegated
convention) Let the National Committee
of the Democratic party be at once called
together and officially make the call for
this convention. one delegate from eacn
congressional district would insure full
attendance. and the body would be com
posed of about 800 delegates, large enough
to be representative and small enough 10
be expeditions in business.
This convention should do what no ma
tional convention ever has done tand
never will dob in the quadrennial meet
ing-apply itself to securing unity OF
action in the party and uniformity OIL
organization throughout the Unlted
states. In the quadrennial convention
candidates are uppermost in the minds OF
all delegates. In a convention IN 1871
even the names Of prospective candidates
for Congress would not embarrass its
action. The whole aim and object OF the
convention would be to adopt plan OF
organization and a party policy with
view of winning, first, the congressional
battle I'm 1898, and, second, the presiden-
tial battle in 1860.
ALREADY advice has been promulgated
bv our Campaign Committee, Congress
sionaI Committee. and Hon. William j.
BRYAN TO keep up the club organizations
Advice easily given, but difficult 10 take
WHY ORGANIZATION Is NEEDED.
"a Danish proyerb says 1T is easy 10
sit at the helm i'm fair weather When
the storm comes, however. IL not mfre-
auently finds the helmsman unprepared
and the rudder gone Now this advice
is given. What organization is there TO
see that it is Needed?
"The disposition OF all political parties
is 10 lapse into apathy after an election
and especially after defeat. To cor
rect this is wise. How best TO do it is
the question. How better to solve this
question than by holding a national dele
gated convention of the Democratic party
i'm this year 1897? 1t could be in no mans
interest It could be in the interest of the
people only.
Money has become such factor in
elections. and the men OF the money
power having drifted together into the
Republican party. it behoOves the Demo-
cratic party to perfect an organization
which will neutralize this power OF pelf
1T is an open secret that checks were
sent to local Republican leaders, as well
as TO many hitherto Democrats who had
announced themselves gold Democrats
with Mckinley proclivities. The rank
and file of silver Republicans have been
nursing their wrath ever since, 10 say
nothing of many of the rank and file OF
the gold Republicans who were ignored
financially and otherwise They are not
disposed TO be fooled again
HOW TO ORGANIZE.
How would you effect an organiza-
tion?"
1--WE must devise an organization that
will reach the individual voter. Passing
resolutions and issuing addresses will not
accomplish this. Just as the company Is
the elementary part Of our army, so IS
the precinct or voting place the elemen-
tary part Of a political organization.
Get the company well drilled and
equipped. and your regiments, brigades
and divisions will be all right on day Of
battle Get the precinct well organized
and equipped. and the district. county
and State Will give good results on cleo
| tiOn-day. Constant communication should
be kept up between The National Com
mittee and the precinct. Literature must
| be sent them direct. The present distri-
button of literature is faulty. Sacks full
are sent State chairmen, who, in turn
send sacks full to county chairmen, who,
having no funds for postage, the sacks
remain till called for on perhaps some
| court day, when some speeches and other
literature are delivered in person"
VALUE OF INDIVIDUALS.
would you utilize individual work.
ers?'
Certainly; vanity is a big asset i'm all
political parties. Every man likes to be
noticed One or two prominent men
selected from each voting place or pre-
cinct in the United States, If written to
by the National Committee soliciting his
| or their services, at once enlists him or
/ them. He feels complimented that he Is
noticed; that his identity is recognized.
and his services valued. He will see TO
| it that his friends become interested, and
/ so on. until his pride stimulates him 10
work for success.
Twenty days before election every pre-
oinct in the United States might be
polled. thus showing weak points which
| might be strengthened. A simple blank
| sent TO this precinct worker with instruc-
/ tions to fill il and mail it on the twentieth
day before election would be invaluable
as the campaign neared its CLOSE
blank like the following, which | have
used for years:
Dear Sir,-If the election were TO take
place to-day. l believe the vote would be
/ about as follows at this precinct:
" For the Democratic candidate...........
Combined vote against him...............
"(Name your precinct below)
Yours, &c
NOT EXPENSIVE.
"Can the National Committee undertake
such detailed work, and would II not cost
too muchT"
"If Il is admitted" was the reply, that
the tree will bear good fruit il should
be cultivated to the smallest detail. TO
say il win not work. and that the Ma
! tional Committee cannot go into such de-
tails. Is 10 beg the question, for the COM
] mlitee has never tried II. AS 70 the cost