The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-06


of detailed work connected
with the management of a
political campaign, particularly pre-
liminary to a presidential election, are
sometimes led to conclude that the
contributions Of money called for are
either in large part wasted or else
used for purposes which will not bear
investigation. This impression is not
removed by the empty accusations.
made by buncombe politicians. con-
cerning giant corruption funds.
An idea Of the legitimate expenses Of
campaign management is afforded in
a current description of the methods
employed by the Republican state or
ganization in Nebraska to win that
commonwealth from Populism. 1.-THE
state organizatio writes a special
correspondent of the New York Sun.
began work on Dec. ]. 1899. 1t OPEN
ed headquarters in Lincoln and began
the accumulation of data and the
gathering Of information about men
and neighborhoods. At the State con-
vention on May 9 of this year the
county chairmen We're chosen and the
headquarters moved to Omaha. The
chairmen at once appointed man in
each township. Each township is d.
vided into four road districts. A
township committee was at once ap-
pointed in each town, of which the
township man was chairman with four
assistants one from each road district.
The road districts have on an average
$50 votes each. Early in June poll
books We're sent to the town chairman
with instructions to set down therein
the name and address Of every voter,
his religion and his past and present
political affiliations The books We're
returned to headquarters and a card
catalogue of the voters of the state
was made out. Tho cards We're dlvid-
ed in three sets. First the sure Repub-
licans; second the sure Bryanites
whom no argument could move nor
reason sway, and third. those who were
for any reason doubtful. All the work
Of the campaign has been concentrated
on the doubtful class. Each man
whose name has been on a doubtful
card has had literature adapted to his
particular needs sent to him direct
from Omaha. He has received person.
al letters from Republicans prominent
In the state, men whom he has never
seen. but who are known to him by
name and reputation. The headquar-
ters meanwhile has sent the card bear
Ing his name to his county chairman
who has instructions to return it as
soon as any certain information about
the mans political course this year
can he obtained"
Another idea of how money in large
sums Is often necessary to effect poll
teal results by proper processes may
be obtained from the incident Of Col
onel Quay's city directory artifice
which elected General Harrison presi-
dent in 1883. This Is described in de-
tail In the current issue of McClure's
magazine. but briefly summarized It
was as follows: Early in the cam
paign Quay learned that Wholesale col
onization of voters was contemplated
by Tammany Hall. He made an ap-
pointment with trusted man in a re-
mote Jersey town, issued instructions,
handed over wad of money and re-
turned to headquarters >with nobody
the wiser. One day an immense BAN
ner swung across Broadway, together
with advertisements In the news
papers, informed the natives of
Gotham that they were to have a new
city directory. A thorough canvass of
the city was made and every circum-
stance pointed to the genuineness Of
the directory as strictly commercial
enterprise. But shortly before election
Quay sent for a prominent Tammany
man. took him into a back room and
showed him a stack Of poll books piled
ceiling high. "There." he remarked
blandly, "is the name. address. and
personal description of every voter on
Manhattan island. We are going to
have these books distributed on elec-