The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-01
A GREAT POLITICAL POWER.
influence of Democratic Clubs to BE
Felt on Election Day.

I
Felt on Election Day.
NEW YORK, Oct. 31.-The tremendous
potentialities of the National Association
| of Democratic clubs appear not yet to
have occurred to many people. When it
| is reflected that the association represents
the most compact and withal the most
comprehensive organized force the party
has ever had. it's, value in this campaign
| becomes apparent. In commenting upon
the work of the association Secretary Max
| f. Ihmsen said tonight:
! When the returns are in and the result
is announced the efficacy of the National
Association of Democratic Clubs will have
J been demonstrated. During this campaign
! the association has become the largest
! political organization of the world. II
| consists of more than 10000 clubs which
| have an aggregate membership of more
! than 100000 members. ard a realization
| OF what these figures mean Will prove the
energy that has characterized the work
and the intelligent and patriotic spirit
manifested by the associations president.
| W. X. Hearst.
THE greatest membership the associa-
| ton las ever had in the past was in 1882,
when there were more than 1000 clubs
| and less than 500. 900 members. That was
| prior to this campaign, the associations
| high water mark and source of wonder
to the politicians. That was when Grover
| Cleveland was elected. The spirit ex-
hibited then by persons not usually inter
ested in political affairs is being again
manifested. but in 4 much greater degree.
when Mr.. Hearst was appointed presi-
dent of the association, vice Chauncey +.
Black. of Pennsylvania. who resigned on
account of i'll health, the records were IN
complete. Most of the clubs instituted as
campaign clubs had lapsed and the num-
Der of prominent clubs on the rolls was
small With characteristic energy Mr..
II aarst determined to, if possible, realize
the desires of the Democratic leaders and
make the organization a potent factor for
Democratic success. We got into cor
respondence with every Democratic SEN
ator and Representative, and every men,
Der of the Democratic National Commit
tee with every Democratic State chair
man, and with all of the chairmen of the
various county committees of the United
States. We called the attention of each
of these gentlemen to the purpose Of the
association and solicited not only the
names of members of the Democratic or
ganization Of the entire country but also
the names of Democrats and patriots ir-
respective of party ties, who might be
relied upon TO organize Democratic clubs
When these names came into the head
quarters letters were sent to each of the
persons represented by the names and
they were asked to not only organize
clubs, but to furnish the names of per-
sons of their acquaintance who would
likely be disposed to assist the cause by
organizing clubs.
In this way the plain people were
reached in the manner that | believe had
not been thought of previously. The eff
fectiveness of the plan has been made
manifest, for now, approximately one
seventh of all the voters of the United
States are enrolled in the association, and
perhaps the most remarkable feature of
the movement has been the enthusiasm
shown by these club members Some are
men of means, others are daily wage
carriers. Hebrews. Catholics, Protestants,
Germans, Irish, Soandinavians, Hungar-
ians. Bohemians, and negroes are includ- |
ed in the number. But no matter what |
the character Of the club member each has |
seemed to realize the responsibility that |
rested upon him as an individual. Each |
mas been exhcrted to secure the CONVEX |
s,cn of one voter who in 1895 was hostile |
to Bryan.
AN honor roll has been established and |
versions as well those who have been |