Willmar tribune., 1903-02-07
Practical
Politics
In County and Pre-.
cinct Committees (Contin-
.. By.
WILLIAM H. I1INRLCHSEN

OV the last paper is going on
subcOmmittees are busy in
other directions. The sub
committee on speakers, or speakers
bureau, as it is sometimes called, has
prepared it's list of local speakers and
mas as far as possible secured the sery-
ices Of outsiders
Speakers.
Speakers are usually divided into
three classes, as follows:
Flrst.-Local speakers being such
persons living in the county as in the
judgment of the bureau are capable of
d1scussing the issues of the day in
manner to strengthen the party posi-
ton.
Second.-State and national speakers.
being men of higher standing and rep
utation, provided by the state or ma
tional committee-those who address
the people at the larger meetings.
Third.-Paid speakers, being, as a
rule, specialists who make oratory a
business and whose services are paid
for by the party whose cause they ad-
vocate
The first two classes of speakers, as
"a rule. receive no remuneration for
their services, though 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 dis
posal of the committee is prepared,
and this table must be corrected from
day to day. A list of available halls
and other speaking places in the coun-
ty is also prepared.
In selecting speakers great care is
necessary. Local speakers should be
closely 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 and
should be compelled to thoroughly
qualify themselves in their club meet
ings prior to appearing before a mixed
audience.
Great care should be exercised in Sc
lecting speakers for the different To-
calities. A man of national reputation
may exactly suit the people in some
states and yet prove offensive to the
people Of other states, and the same is
true of local speakers in the different
localities of a county. So far as is
possible a speaker should be assigned
to duty in the localities where be is
known to be a favorite.
The student should interest himself
in this as in all other work. After
diligent preparation and practice in
his club he should make an occasional
oh no I,
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 estimating 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 should never attempt an ad-
dress unless he is prepared. Under no
circumstances should he allow his
speechnlaking to Interfere with his
other work in the campaign.
The number and frequency Of the
meetings to be held in county de-
pend largely upon the demands of the
people, though it will sometimes be
necessary for the committee to force
matters where the people. appear in
different
The student should in his private
record make memorandum showing
when and where each speaker has ad-
dressed the people and should make
inquiry from some who were present
as to the effect of his speech OH the
audience. After the election this rec
ord should be compared with the re-
turns from each locality. This com
parison will aid him in gauging the
influence of the different speakers up
on the voters.
Visiting the Precincts.
1t is customary in many counties for
the committee to send its agents,
sometimes it's influential and expert
enced members. into the different pre-
cincts, districts or townships for the
purpose OF inspecting the condition Of
the party. advising and instructing the
iocal committees and clubs and en-
couraging local workers. This is a
very important mission. and if the stu
dent can get an assignment to accom-
pany the agent he will become ac-
Nudluteu Nltu ustHy people ana VIII
learn Of new political methods which
may prove useful. He should make
note of everything he sees and hears,
and none of the information he gath
ers 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 poll
tics.
Some committees make use Of a
class of politicians known as walking
delegates or special pleaders. They
may be volunteers who work without
pay or for their bare expenses, or they
may be paid regular salaries. These
men may or may not be public speak
ers, but they are supposed to- possess
inf1uence with certain groups of voters
or to be capable of presenting their