Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-10
Coupled With Studies Should Be
Talks With Officials.
REMARKS ON POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY
Person May Have Thoroughly Scan
ned His Geography but There is
Much More yet to Learn-Advocates
the Purchase of Maps.

copyright 1901, Lewis D. Sampson)
The study Of civil government is
best carried on through means of the
ordinary text books, to be. obtained in.
the book stores, but in connection
with the theoretical work the student
Should visit the public offices of the
city, town, county and state, if posi-
bic and make such inquiries of the Of
fcials as will fix the information gain
ed from his reading thoroughly in his
mind.
He should apply himself to learning
the following:
First-The name, the designation
and the term of office of every public
official elected by the people in his
township, town, district or precinct, as
the case may be.
Second-The duties of these officers.
Third-The name and designation
of each public official elected by the
people in his city or county.
Fourth-The duties, in general
way, of each.
flfth-The name and duties, in gen
eral, of every state officer elected by
the people.
SiXth-The5 names of the members
of both houses of the legislature for
his district and the names of the
judges of the courts in his district.
&Seventh-The names of the United
States senators from his state and the
names and districts of the congress
men from his state.
Eighth The names and duties OF
the principal appointivee officers in his
county.
Ninth-The names of. the President
vice president, members of the cabi-
net, speaker of the house, judges of
the supreme court, with the state in
which each lives. 4
1t is not such great task as it may
appear and it should be gone ovel
carefully again and again. Informa
ticn regarding local officers may be
obtained in the offices of the county
and city clerks, and that regarding
state and national affairs can be found
in any political almanac, which car
be purchased at book store. Some
states issue blue books containing al
this information. Obtain one, if pos
sible.
Election Laws.
The study of the election laws is
the next thing to be taken up. These
laws are usually issued in pamphle
form and may be obtained from the
county officer having supervision Of
the elections.
The same officer will furnish infor
nation that will make clear any point
left dark by the books. And the
chairman or other member of youl
committee will always furnish your
information as to the practical work
ings of the laws.
You should attend every local cleo
tion, every primary election and eve
ry caucus or convention of every par
ty, and should watch carefully how
they are carried on. If you get al
opportunity to serve as an officer Of
election, do Sc. The experience viii
be valuable to you.
Apply yourself to learning the fol
lowing, and do not desist until all facts
are firmly fixed in your mind:
First-The date fixed by law fol-
each regular election in the territory
In which you are entitled to vote.
Second-The date of registration III
required) for each of these elections
and how an elector may be registered
Third-The qualifications of voter
Fourth-The marking of the ballot
Fifth-The hours of opening ant
closing the polls.
Sixth-The rules Of the polls.
Seventh-The rules governing nat
uralization
Eighth-The rules governing pri
mary elections or conventions in eacl
civil division in the territory in whcl
you vote.
Ninth-The rules governing election
ret