Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-02-26
MACHINEAWONDER
Woodmen Scheme for Govern.
ing Elections is Most
Complete.
POLITICAL PARTIES ARE OUTDoNE
over 100000 Members in 1900
Camps Express Their
Will.

ust now the machine by which the |
Modern Woodmen of America con-
trolls and keeps track of the elections
of its 10000 members through IL 900
camps in the IS states and territories
of the jurisdiction is in full operation
and the members are using their un-
trammeled right of franchise in de-
Gliding probably the most important
question that has ever been submitted
TO Il vote in fraternal society.
The sending out of instructions and
the receiving and classifying of re-
ports occupies the attention of
force of clerks under the immediate
direction of Assistant Head Clerk
James Mcnamara. Everything is re-
duced to such system that there is
no confusion and the great mass of
statistics is handled with an ease and
certainty that is bewidering to one
not acquainted with the modus oper-
andi.
The popular notion that the ma
tional republican and democratic or
CARNATIONS comprehend the most
complete systems known to the
American people of arriving at the
popular will, is being made ridiculous
by the national organization of this
greatest of fraternal insurance So
cieties, with its headquarters here in
Rock Island.
Primaries Controlled
The republican and democratic ma
tional organizations, it will be borne
in mind, have little or nothing to do
with the holding of primaries for the
selection of delegates to the city and
county conventions. These are con-
trolled solely by the voters. Further
more. while the national committees
"cut some ice" in the various state
conventions. these are composed in
the main of delegates who pay their
own expenses and are free to accept
or reject any advice rendered them
from the national headquarters. The
national political organization is not
required to pay the expenses of state
delegates, nor can it discipline the
delegates if they prove contumacious.
On the other hand. the national
headquarters of the Modern Wood
men of America, directed by the head
clerk, c. w. Halves, absolutely con-
ciety, the selection of delegates from
the local camps, corresponding to the
primaries. From this point upward
through the country, territorial and
state conventions, and even the ma
tional convention. the national Wood
men organization absolutely controls,
not the deliberations, but the ma
chinery of government of the society.
Places for Holding Named.
When the local camps elect dele
gates to county conventions they are
required to report the names and adj
dresses of the delegates elected to the
head clerk. In the SO states in which
the society operates, the head clerk
names the places where the meeting
of county, state and territorial con-
ventions shall be held, if the previous
conventions have not done so. He al
so designates, according to law, who
shall call the county conventions to
order, and names the number of dele
gates to which each local camp is en-
titled in the county conventions.
If and local camp has elected a
greater number of delegates than pre-
scribed by the head clerk, the last
names on the list must be dropped to
bring the representation within the
requirements laid down by law.
The county conventions, when held,
must make full report of their pro-
ceedings to the head clerk, and the
state and territorial conventions must
do likewise. When these last reports
have been received, the head clerk
makes out the pay rolls for all dele
fsaS- ut Ton tor In On
ciety's board of directors has author
lied their payment, he mails each
delegate individually a general fund
order for the amount to which he
may be entitled.
The delegates to the national Wood
men convention each represent 1,50C
members, in good standing. They are
more directly subject to control than
are the delegates to the county con
ty, territorial and state conventions
They are the supreme law-makins
body. Head Clerk Halves issues indi
vidual credentials emitting each tC
sit as a delegate, and upon adjourn
ment of the national convention, each
receives his pay from him.
Railroad Rates Secured.
In addition to the vast machinery
necessary to run over II, 900 prima
ries, over 1000 county conventions
35 state and territorial convention:
and one national convention, the heat
clerk is also expected to make ar
rangements for reduced railroad rate:
for the delegates thereto, wherever
possible.
Head Clerk Halves is now complet
ing a rehabilitation of the member
ship in good standing in each CAM
Jan. 1, last. which is taken as the ba
sis of representation in all the con
ventions to follow. When this is com
pleted, the location of all camps, b,
counties, is verified, after which the
secretary of each county convention
is furnished with a list of the mem
bership. by comps. in his county