Backbone. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. ;) 1897-1906, 1901-08-01
PLANNING FOR VICTORY.
National Conference Prohibition College Boys
Prohibition Gatherings

The National Conference of the Prohibi-
tion party took place at Buffalo, N. Y, Aug
1 and 2. The attendance could hardly be
called representative of the party, although
distinguished leaders and faithful rank
and-fle workers from more than score of
states were present, among them many w.
c. L. U. workers. The fine program was
closely followed and the papers, which
concerned the practical work of party
building, were exceptionally good.
National Chairman Stewart added to his
high reputation and our leading orators
such as President Dickie and Homer L.
Castle, covered themselves with glory. The
various sessions were presided over in turn
by Prof F. T. McWhirter, Indiana Henry
w. Wilbur, New York; Chairman Stewart;
r. 3. Blake, president Young Peoples Pro
hfbition League and f. w. Corbett Michi-
gan. The Meneleys rendered soul-stirring
music
Since the program has appeared in our
columns quite fully, we will not give de-
tailed report of the conference but present
extracts from some of the papers and fol-
low them with others in later issues.
John H. Gill, chairman of Venango coun-
ty, Pa, known as "the banner Prohibition
county" of the Union, where 43 Prohibition
party candidates were elected at the last
election, read a paper on 'The County
Chairman and His Work. The county
chairman must have an energetic and eff
cient county secretary, who should reside
in the same town with him. The county
committeeman must be men who are respect
ed, brave, able to be depended. upon in calm
or storm, courteous and ''at it, An or
ganizer should be engaged to organize
club in each district in the county, En-
rollment of Prohibition and other voters
should be made; also systematic canvass for
our papers. The organizer should report
every three days. Advantage should be
taken of any breaks made by the other par
ties. The county chairman should use the
public press.
Chairman Britten of Michigan, in a paper
on "The Michigan Plan," urged the i'm
portance of statesmanship, leadership and
partnership. He showed that the Prohibi-
tion party must not only be clean, but also
well up in practical politics. 1t must de-
velop leaders as we'll as win voters, and
this in the county and local as well as in
the state and national field. There must
be confidence and cooperation between
state and national leaders and between all
leaders and the rank and file. We hope to
be able to give the plan in detail hereafter
paper by Chairman H. j. Hall, In
diana, presented 1.-THE Indiana Plan," now
followed in several states This plan is
based on the need of vastly larger amount
of work in order to win the nation for Pro-
hibition and on belief that Prohibitionists
are willing to pay as much to support
Prohibition evangelist as they pay their
preacher. Within one year Of the adoption
of the plan Indiana had an evangelist in
each Of it's thirteen congressional dis
tricts. temporary evangelist" engaged
by the state and district chairman, raises
the fund for the support of the permanent
evangelist. The latter's first task is to Sc
cure the election Of county and township
chairmen and to set them at work The
object OF his second trip is to get sub
scr1ptfon for Prohibition paper in every
home possible, preferring the state paper
then the New Voice, etc. On his next tour
he gives special attention to public meet
ings addressed by himself and often by To-
cal speakers after he has gone.
Frank s. Regan, Rockford, ILL.,, ex-member
Illinois legislature answered the question