Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-01-03
Practical
Politics
lI.-Civil Government.
.. By.
WILLIAM H. HINRICHSEN

bookstores, but in connection with the
theoretical work the student should
visit the public offices of his city,
town, county and state if possible and
make such inquiries of the officials as
will fix thoroughly in his mind the in
formation gained from his reading.
He should apply himself to learning
the following:
First.-The name, the destination
and term Of Office Of every public Off
cial elected by the people in his town
ship, town, ward, district or precinct,
as the case may be.
Second-The duties Of these officers
Third.-The name and designa ton of
each public official elected by the peo-
pie in his city and county.
Fourth.-The duties in general way
of each.
Flfth.-The names and duties in gen
eral Of every state officer elected by
the people.
SiXth.-The names Of the members
of both houses Of the legislature for
his district and the names Of the
judges of the courts in his district
Seyenth.-The names of the United
States senators from lis state and the
names and districts of the congress-
men from his state.
Eighth.-The names and duties Of
the principal appointiye offices in his
county and state.
Ninth.-The names Of the president,
vice president, members Of the cabinet,
speaker of the house and judges Of
the supreme court, with the state in
which each lives.
1t is not such a great task as it may
appear, and 1T should be gone over
carefully again and again. 1nforma-
ton regarding local officers may be
obtained in the offices of the county
and city clerks, and that regarding
state and national affairs may be
found in any political almanac, which
may be purchased at a bookstore.
Some states issue blue books contain
ang all this information. Obtain one if
possible
Election Laws.
The study of the election laws is the
next thing to be taken up. These laws
are usually issued in pamphlet form
and may be obtained from the county
officer having supervision of the cleo
tions.
The same officer will furnish infor-
mation that will make clear any points
left dark by the books. And the chair
man or other member Of your local
committee will always furnish you in
formation as to the practical workings
of the laws.
81
ton, every primary election and every
caucus and should watch carefully
how they are carried on. If you get
an opportunity to serve as an officer of
election, do so. The experience will
be valuable to you.
Apply yourself to learning the fol-
lowing and do not desist until all facts
are firmly fixed in your mind:
Frst.-The date fixed by law for
each regular election in the territory
IN which You are entitled to vote.
Scconl.-The date Of registration Gf
required) for each of these elections
and how an elector may be registered.
Third.-Thc qualifications Of Il voter.
Foulth.-The marking of the ballot.
Fifth-Thc hours Of opening and
closing the polls.
Sixth.-The rules Of the polls.
Sevcnth-The rules governing natu-
ralization.
Eichth-TLe rules governing rri-
mary elections or conventions IN each
civil division in the territory in which
you vote.
Ninth.-The rules governing election
returns.
Tenth.-The forms Of nominating
certificates where required.
Notwithstanding of candidates.
Twclftl.-Rules governing cum ula-
tive voting where practiced.
Thirteenth.-What constitutes a va
cancy in an office and the manner Of
filling it.
Political Geography.
You may have studied geography
very thoroughly at school, and much
of what you have learned there will
prove useful to you, but you will find
much more to learn before you have
acquired the information you require
in political matters.
You should procure a good map of
your city if you live in one or if there
is a city in your county. You should
also procure map of your county and
one of your state.
Is If you can find city and county maps
showing the civil divisions each con-
tains, they are the best, and maps OF
the state showing the legislative, con-
gressional and judicial districts or cir
cults will make your work somewhat
easier.
sS9 If not, you can mark off the divisions
with a pen on ordinary maps, which
will serve your purpose.
Where the records of these appor-
tionments are not printed in book form
they may be found in the records of
the city, county and state Offices. They
may also be found in any good polit-
zeal almanac, provided it be printed
IN your state.
You should fix the political geogra-
ply of your locality firmly in your
mind First, take your voting district