Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-14
A CAMP AICN.
! Another Article on practical
Politics"
SUBJECT IS SPEAKERS

N1oH. william RI. HInrIChSen CONTINUES
Subject of Work in the County and
Precinct mmittees-Speakers Are
Divided into Three Glasses.
Article Vll.-Work in the County and
Precinct Committee. (Continued.)
While the work described in the last
paper is going on subcommittee are
busy in other directions. The sub
committees on speakers, or speakers
bureau, as it is sometimes called, has
prepared its list of local speakers and
has, az far as possible secured the
services of outsiders.
Speakers.
Speakers are usually divided into
three classes, as follows:
Local speakers, being such persons
living in the county as, in the judg-
ment of the bureau, are capable of dis
cussing the issues Of the day in man.
ner to strengthen the party position.
Second. State and national speak
ers, being men of higher standing and
reputation provided by the state or
national committee, and who address
the people at the large meetings.
Third. Paid speakers, being as a
rule specialists who make oratory
business and whose services are Paid
for by the party whose cause they az
vocate.
The first two classes of speakers as
a rule receive no remuneration for
their services, but it is customary to
pay their travelling expenses.
A carefully arranged table showing
the names of these speakers and the
dates on which they are at the dispo-
sal Of the committee is prepared, and
this table must be carefully correct
ed from day to day. A list Of avail
able halls and other speaking places
in the county is also prepared.
In selecting speakers great care is
necessary Local speakers should be
carefully instructed and examined, and
no one should be allowed to go upon
the stump for the sole purpose of graf
flying his vanity. Poor speakers do
their cause more harm than good, ami
should be compelled to qualify them
selves carefully in their club meetings
before appearing before mixed audi
ence.
Great care should be exercised in
selecting speakers for the different To-
calities. A man of national reputa-
ton may suit the people in some
states perfectly but may prove often
sive to the people of other states, and
the same is true Of local speakers in
the, different localities in a county
So far as it is possible, speaker
should be assigned to duty in the To-
calities where he is known to be IA
yorite.
The student should interest himself
in this work as in others After care
full preparation and practice in his
club he should make an occasional
short speech. If he thinks he can de-
velop ability in that direction he may
give more time to speaking, but he
must be guided by the judgment of
the party leaders, for no young man
Is capable of judging of the force and
effect of his own speeches. He should
IN any event, learn to express himself
clearly and concisely before an audi
ence, and he should never attempt to
address unless he is prepared Under
no circumstances should he allow his
speech making to interfere with his
other work In the campaign.
The number and frequency of meet
ings to be held in a county depends
largely upon the demands of the peo-
pie, though it will sometimes be neces-
sary for the committee to force mat
tiers where the people appear indiffer-
emit
The student should, in his private
record, make a memorandum showing
when and where each speaker has ad-
dressed the people, and should make
inquiry and note, from some who
were present, the effect of his speech
on the audience. After the election
this record should be compared with
the returns from each, locality. This
comparison will aid him in deciding
upon the influence of the different
speakers upon the voters.
Visiting the. Precincts.
1t Is customary in many counties
for the committee to send it's agents,
sometimes its influential and expert
,enced members, into the different pre-
cincts, districts, or. townships in the
county for the purpose. of inspecting
the condition of the. party; to advise
and instruct the local committees and
clubs; and to encourage local workers.
This is very important work, and if
the student can get an assignment 10
accompany the agent on his mission
he will become acquainted with many
people and will learn of new political
methods which may prove useful. He
should make note of everything he
sees an hears, and none of the infor.
nation he gathers will prove .valueless.
1t is customary in most counties to
call the party leaders, local commit
teemen, speakers. etc, together in con-
ference to discuss the condition of the
party and the progress OF the cam
paign. At such meetings the student
should be present if possible. 1t will
increase his general knowledge of pol
itics. ....,..
Some committees make use of a
class of politicians known as walking
delegates or special pleaders. They
may be volunteers who work without