Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-12-27
HoNE STUDY COURSE
Self Education Through the Medium Of Specially
Prepared Articles by Prominent Instructors
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out. will fit any young man for
membership or even command in the
political militia of the country.
The First Step.
1t is Of the first importance that the
young man voter shall ally himself
with political party in the principles
of which he firmly believes.
No man can do good work in the in
terest Of theory at variance with his
convictions, and therefore, no matter
what his surroundings, his associations
or his early impressions. his political
affiliations should be governed by his
convictions based on faithful study
and careful consideration.
= He should cast aside all prejudices.
all preconceived notions and all senti.
mental ideas he may have absorbed
He should, in short, enter upon the
work of selecting party with his
mind as free from former impressions
as his will power can make it.
He should, if he has not already
done so, acquire thorough knowl-
N~6S VI LAV AAoIOAJ VI LID COuutIys
using only the standard authors.
He should study the history of polit.
ical parties, aiming at the basic princi-
pies on which each was founded and
the result upon the country where
these principles have been applied. He
should study the great issues that
from time to time divide Americas
people and endeavor to make up his
mind as to which side of each question
promises the best for the whole peo-
pie, and he should above all compare
the conditions existing at the time the
constitution was adopted and those
existing at the present time before
making up his mind as to which theo-
~ of government, upon which parties
needs of the republic.
This paper is intended to be strictly
nonpartisan. I therefore refrain from
suggesting the books to be studied in
acquiring this information, as almost
every work issued on the subject has q
slight bias one way or the other. Hav-
ing determined upon the party with
which he will act, the young man is
now prepared to begin the actual study
Of practical politics, that which he has
heretofore learned being only prepara-:
tory.
Joining the Organization.
In order to reform or even overthrow
a certain system it will be necessary
for the student to become >himself q
part Of the system, and there is no i'm
propriety in his joining the organiza-
ton.
A party organization Is the only
school in which he can successfully
study practical politics, and he has the
same right to membership in the or
ganization as has any other man pro-
Tossing to be member of the party.
His object is good one for the party
as whole and for the organization it.
self, and he need have no hesitation in
following the suggestions given. In
fact, he should openly declare his OBJ
ject, for the leaders of the Organiza-
ton, as rule, understand and deplore
the defects Of the system under which
they work and are glad to get recruits
who will aid in reforms.
In joining the organization the stu
dent should make up his mind to do
nothing in politics Of which he need be
ashamed. He should resolve to con-
duct himself in politics as he does in
business and be at all times a gentle
man.
Joining the organization is usually
a simple matter: The student should
call upon the chairman of the county
committee, state his wishes and prefer
his services. He is certain to be we'll
received and instructed as to how to
become a recognized member of the
organization. In some localities SIM
pie statement of his position is all that
is necessary; in others he may be re.
quired to join his ward. township or
precinct club; in others, again, it is
a custom to sign the party membership
roll. All this will be explained to him.
and he will probably be referred to
the organizations representative in the
voting precinct or district in, which he
, lives. u
Making Practical Politician.
If he is known to be good public
speaker, he will probably be assigned
to work on the stump; but, while not
declining this duty, he should insist
upon being assigned to certain
amount of field and Office work before
being listed as a regular speaker.
He can always select the work he
will do. even though it should dupli-
cate the work Of some one else, and in
their papers the details Of the work
and study will be dealt with in the
order in which they should generally
be done.
It is estimated that the study and
training suggested will extend through
year, including campaign in which
local, state and national tickets are
nominated and elected. The study and
training need not seriously interfere