The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-04
TO RUN ALL THE TIME.
The Republicans VIII Have
Central League Headquarters.
Similar to Those Established
by Free Silver Forces.
Which Shall ba Open Continuously,
and Where the Work of Propo-
eating Republicans Shall
Go On.

:.
establish permanent headquarters in
the city, place a secretary or other COM
petent officer in charge and maintain
place where the members of the party
may meet to discuss matters of party
policy and from the headquarters di-
rect and carry on constant campaign
This scheme has also another object
that of centraiizing the influence and
cementing the Republican forces, both
as to city and county.
The plan to organize this league was
suggested some weeks ago, but the first
meeting to consider it was held Satur-
day afternoon at the Republican Elan-
beau club rooms
w. A. s. Bird was selected tempor-
any chairman. William Venorsdal of
Silver Lake was chosen secretary.
The discussion of the methods which
should be followed with reference to the
organization brought out some ideas of
interest. A. K. Rodgers was the FIRST
speaker. He said:
THE idea of perfecting an organiza-
ton of the Republican party in Shaw
nee county is a good one. The oppo-
sitiOn is at work, and we should be-
They have the advantage of US by rea-
son of the fact that they have all the
offices Yet we must get to work if
we expect to carry Kansas in two yeats
Some of the members of our party are
leaving the state. Some of our StrOn =est
workers will not be in future cam
paigns, and we will have the work to
do. We must organize; we must arouse
interest; we must have more meetings,
say at least twice a month. and we
should have some of our local speak
ers, who, by the way, are as good as
can be found in Kansas, out to Ialk.
We might secure larger quarters, fit up
q reading room and have d place where
men from the country could come in.
sit down by a fire, wash their hands
and faces, or eat lunch. We could
give some one the privilege of serving
coffee and lunch for taking care of the
rooms
In concluding, Mr.. Rodgers suggested
that the bad weather had probably pre-
vented delegates from the country from
coming in, and that it would be well
to defer action for a time.
To this plan Chairman Bird dissented
and said: 'Since we are here, some
thing should be done towards starting
the work of organization"
Mr. Vanorsdal said: ITO adjourn
without doing any hing would establish
a bad precedent. 1t would be bad
thing for TO fail to do something
here today, because such news would
delight our enemies. Therefore, IN
in favor of taking at least the prelim-
mary steps"
II. NJ. Phillips asked for the senu
rnent of those present upon the league
plan. He said some had objected to
it, and inquired if any one had other
plans. I'VE want good organization
said Mr.. Phillips, but not too much
of it. That is to say, we don't want
want to organize in the city for the
spring campaign. OF course we will win
then as we will in two years from now.
The opposition is constantly at work.
only a few weeks ago 1 heard that Mr..
Tillotson had q list of 1000 former Ike
publicans who had enrolled as free sill
yerites and that he was going to pub
lish the names. That's just what we
want him to do We want to get Mt
the names of the free silver supporters
who are sucking the life out OF our
party We must get to work, and L
believe a league is good thing.
ITO enable us to get at this matter"
said Mr. Rodgers, Il move that we pro-
coed to preliminary business necessary
to organize the league.
The motion was duly seconded and 1t
was adopted after considerable discus
Peter He'll was the first to speak upon
the motion. He was not convinced as
to the merits of the plan, and said:
MY observation and experience has
been that a county or a district league
will not succeed unless fostered or
kept up by a central organization we
cannot keep up a league in the country
unless we have the cooperation ana
aid of the town people. If 1t is the in
tention for everybody to work together
and we can devise some means to
keep up the interest of members, then
1 favor the organization.
w. T. Mcknight: ITO succeed in
politics we must carry each election as
will organize thoroughly in city and
county,
The vote upon Mr.. Rodgers motion
was then taken, and on motion OF john
Van Vechten, Chairman Bro nafnet
the following committees;
Permanent Organization-John an
Vechten, James Mccoy, L. T. Owens, A.
K. Rodgers and Peter He'll.
Constitution Oscar SwayZe, chair
man: A l. Brooke. w. T. Mcknight, E.
e. Lair, J. A Alexander and w. E.
Stewart.
In discussing the permanent organi
cation, Mr.. Brooke received the appro-
baton of all present when he said:
In effecting our permanent organi-
cation, 1 would suggest that the COM
nnittee proceed slowly and with great
care. giving all an opportunity for
equal representation. We want har-
moniOus, aggressive Republican or
ganizatiOn in th-5 county and pec1ai
care should be exercised to prevent the
formation of what might be termed a
close corporation I take it that no
one has any such intention, but in mat
ters OF this kind, good judgment must
prevail. The best men in the county
should be selected for officers; the most
careful thought should characterize our
government. With wisdom in all of the
various plans which we may have, we
can make the league a success And,
while taking it's place as formidable
organization, it will likewise command
respect
meeting to be held two. weeks from last
Saturday at the same place, following
a meeting of the county central COM
mittee.
A resolution was adopted authorizing
each club in the county to send five del
egates to aid in completing the perma
nent organization.
The delegates participating in Satur-
days meeting were as follows:
First ward, Will Stewart; Second
ward A. X Rodgers, E. E. Lair, Frank
Merrill John Alexander and John
Mangen: Third ward, H. I. Monroe and
w T. Mcknight; Fourth ward, John
Van Vechten and Bert Swan; Fifth
ward, l. T Owens, Mckinley and Cur
tbs club; North Topeka, James Mccoy;
Silver Lake, VIM. Vanorsdal: Quinton
Heights, CIV. Humbert; Mission, Peter