Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-02-04
} PRACTICAL POLITICS B VILLA. ARTICLE e. '''''''''''
PREPARATION FOR ELECTION DAY.

place himself in touch with the absen-
tees so that there be no hitch in the
arrangements. Ii these matters have |
not been attended to, they should be at
once.
The party voters being provided for,
the doubtful list should be taken up.
1t is frequently possible for some one
man in a community to influence a
certain doubtful voter. The student,
if he has carried out his instructions,
will have learned of such condition
and he should set all such influences
at work where it possibly can be done.
Daily or nightly meetings for the
precinct working force should be held
and every legitimate plan for securing
an additional vote should be discussed
and agreed upon. Every member OF
the force should be drilled in his dut-
les till he is fully conversant with
them, and every possible lapse or acct
dent should be provided for.
While planning to gain votes losses
must be guarded against: 1t is to be
remembered that the opposition is al
SO at work. The student and his con-
ferees must keep in close touch with
all the members of their own party so
to detect any possible falling away or
detection, and every change should be
noted and met promptly.
A list of men living or claiming to
live in the precinct and not entitled to
vote should be made, with the status
of each properly noted. This list
should be given to The challengers in
time to enable them to familarize
themselves with it.
The characters Of men selected for
election officers should be closely
scrutinized, and those belonging to his
party should, if it is necessary, be
carefully instructed in the law and IN
their duties.
The challengers or watchers must be
carefully selected and thoroughly drill
er, as should all other attaches OF the
organization.
All vehicles, blanks, headquarters
and other necessaries for election day
should be provided for we'll in advance
SO that no gaps may be found in the
line on the final day.
All such preparations being made
it would be we'll for the student to call
upon the prominent citizens in his pre-
cinct and request their presence
around the polls on election day or as
much of the day as they can afford to
spare. They may not be able to &C
complish anything directly, but their
presence will encourage the younger
workers and stimulate them to great,
er exertions. Besides, the presence o.
, prominent and substantial citizens at
the polls gives their party higher
: standing and has it's effect upon the
doubtful voters and what is known a:
: the floating element. 1t also arouses
2 an interest in politics in the minds o
: these citizens themselves, which is al
e ways to be desired for the future goot
of the party and the country.
l. Two or three days before the cleo
), ton there should be sent through tn
o mails or delivered in person to eac
t voter belonging to your party notice
o This notice should contain the TO
II lowing information:
e The date of the election, the hour
d of opening and closing the polls, tn
e location of the voting place, and sue
l. other information as may be useful t
$, him.
n 1t is wise for the committee to oil
O serve the Sunday preceding the ele'
l. ton as day of rest if not for reli.
1t ious purposes, then for sanitary rel
/, sons.
e The election ordinarily comes o
It Tuesday, and day Of complete res
two days before will cause all part
lie workers to accomplish better result
n than they can if they have tired o,
k body and mind as they must If the
s, continue their labors.
y For the same reason the final NEE
b. ing of the committees and worker
re the evening before election should nj
Id be needlessly prolonged, and all shou
ct retire early, prepared to be on tn
If ground at least fifteen minutes befor
Id the opening of the polls.