The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-24
BY GOOD WORK.
Plan of Republican Organiza-
tion in Last Campaign
Made Public - 1t Included 49,
900 Men
WHO WERE IN TOUCH
With the Republican State Cen
tral Committee
Text of Important Circular
Sent to the Workers.
WHO WERE IN TOUCE

Much has been said about the match
) less organization of the Kansas Repub-
licans in the last campaign. How this
organization was made is now made
public.
During the last campaign the officers
of the Republican state committee were
in constant communication with 1900
men, or workers, maintaining, as it
were, an endless chain of information
and suggestion as to plans Of work and
needed assistance.
In this method is found the secret Of
Republican success. No campaign in
Kansas was ever conducted with so
much system and so much care as the
one just closed. The organization was
never so perfect and the work was new
er before so effective.
The plans for the Republican cam
paign were developed Immediately after
the nomination of candidates on the
state ticket. The state committee, as
. never before, took hand in the cleo
tion of county committees.
The best men were selected for mem
bership on the county committee. repre-
senting each precinct. This member was
then empowered to select five or more
helpers, according to the size of the
precinct, and the work of organizing
for the state campaign was inaugura-
ted.
When a county Republican committee
meeting was held these precinct work
ers would be present, sometimes to the
number of 200 or 300 men. This indiCa-
ted harmony and enthusiasm and IN
many instances the opposition was as
founded at the great show of strength
by the Republicans. These things, how
ever small, have their effect in the
minds of some people and is thought to
nave been responsible for many votes
which came to the Republican ticket.
Ihe state committee kept in close
touch with these 1900 workers. Sec
retary Brown was constantly writing to
them It was the first time in the his
tory of Republican politics in Kansas
that the local leaders were consulted by
the state committee. This was a. grace
ful compliment which Trey appreciated
and Immediately put forth their best
efforts to follow the suggestions of the
state committee, and perfect the work
ing force.
When meetings We're advertised these
local workers turned out in force and
took their friends with them. In many
counties the workers wrote and sent
to POpulists, polite invitations to attend
the meetings and hear the Republicans
discuss the issues of the day. This was
especially true with reference to Mr..
Stanley's meetings Everywhere he ap-
peared there were many Populists pres
ent and his fair treatment of them and
the absence of abuse in his speeches
made him many votes.
In addition to these plans representa-
tives of the committee would be on
hand to explain matters to the local
workers and urge them to renew their
energies. In the last letter sent out
before the campaign closed appears the
following paragraph:
''Sfnce 1896, the Republican party has
not been able to defeat a fusion in this
state. We know we have the votes to
do it this year if they are gotten to the
polls. Two stay-at-hOme Republicans
in each voting precinct means a loss OF
nearly six thousand votes to the state
ticket. We urge you not to permit your
precinct to contribute to such loss"
From the following circular letter the
local workers gained information con-
cerning organization for the campaign.
Upon the suggestions herein contained
all work was based:
''First-I4et the committeeman and
workers from each precinct at your
meeting get together after the adjourn
ment of the regular meeting of your
committee and apportiOn out the pre-
cinCt in which they live, each one taking
his portion of the territory. In case any
committeeman is not present, arrange
for a a~meeting later at his residence or
elsewhere in his township.
SecOnd-Each committeeman and
worker should pledge that he will per
SOnally see every Republican In the fer
rttory assigned to him prior to election
day and urge each one to go to the polls
and cast his vote before u O'clock. In
conference with these voters, discover
who may possibly be tardy in reaching
the polls, or is likely to not attend and
ascertain what influences are necessary
to induce such voters to get out and i'm
with such list.
'Third-Each worker should secure
two Republicans in his territory who
have good team and buggy and obtain
from them a pledge that they will have
their rig a the polls by 1 o'clock on elec-
ton day, ready to send for absent
voters.
''Fourth-Each worker in canva ssing
mis- territory should look carefully after
the oppOsitionists about whom there is
question as to their right to vote and
report the names of all such to the COM
mitteemen so that if they attempt to
vote they may be promptly challenged,
'Fifth-Arrange for two challengers
one Of whom should be at the polls from
the opening to the close, provided with
a list Of all legal voters in the precinct
who attempt to vote
Sixth-The committeeman and every
worker should be at the polls at the
opening and remain until the close. This
as absolutely necessary as each mar
knows his territory better than any
other, and if he is absent at any time he
loses check on the voters of his terri.
tory, and it gives illegal voters an op.
portunity to slip in their ballot
Seventh-See that all trades and
0eaIs are carefully avoided, urge every
republican to vote the entire ticket
the Republican party always gets the
worst of 1t in a trade, while the fusion.
lists are at home in that kind of bust
ness.
Eighth-Watch the count c1osa1v W.
have had it demonstrated to us in this
state that the opposition stops at moth.
ang to gain an Office. A sharD pom
Judge, with two careless judges can dc
much mischief in the count
Nlnth-Immediately upon the con.