The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-05
MACHINERY OF WOODMEN
ENTIRELY DIRECTED FROM HEAD
QUARTERS AT ROCK ISLAND, ILL.
Amount Of Money Necessary to Dis
Some Surprising Figures.

The popular notion that the national Re-
publican and Democratic political organi-
cations comprehend the most complete sys-
tenn known TO the American people of ar
irving at the popular will is being made
ridiculous just at the present time by the
national organization of the Modern Wood
men of America, which will meet in this
city In national convention on June 16.
The Republican and Democratic national
organizations, II will be borne in mind have
little or nothing to do with the holding of
primaries for the selection of delegates to
the city or county conventions. They do
not reach the people In their home precincts.
Furthermore. while the national commit
tees have some influence in the various state
conventions, these are composed, in the
main, of delegates who pay their own ex-
penses, and are free. at their own sweet
will. to accept or reject any advice rendered
them from the national party headquarters.
The national Democratic or Republican
penses Of state delegates nor can they dis
ciphne the delegates should they prove con-
tumacious.
WoODMEN's HEADQUARTERS.
On the other hand, the national headquar-
tiers Of the Modern Woodmen of America,
located at Rock Island ILL.,. and directed
by the grand secretary of the society. Mai
c. w. Halves. absolutely directs, through
the laws OF the society. every step taken i'm
the selection of delegates from the local
camps-eorresponding, very closely to the
party primaries From this point upward,
through the county, territorial and state
conventions, and even the national conven-
ton, the national management of the Mod
ern Woodmen society absolutely controls.
not the deliberations, but the machinery of
the government OF the society.
ne al
the county conventions or county camps, as
they are called. they are required to report
the names and addresses of the delegates
elected TO the grand secretary. In the thir-
ty-three States in which the society oper-
ates the grand secretary names the places
where the meetings OF county, state and
conventions previously held have not done
so. He also designates. according TO law,
who shall call the county conventions to or
der, and names the number of delegates to
which each local camp In entitled in the
county conventions. IL any local camp has
elected greater number Of delegates than
,h by the e. seeissys law the las,
be dropped 10 bring the representation with
In the requirements.
When the county conventions are held
fuii report or their proceedings must be
made to the grand secretary and the state
and territorial conventions must likewise
make report. When these last reports have
out the pay roll for ali delegates in at
tendance and after the society's board of
directors has authorized payment the
grand secretary mails each delegate. in
amount TO which he may be entitled
mileage and per diem.
Delegates to state convention are en-
titled to cents per mile for the distance
actually travelled going and returning and
to per diem of IS. The delegates to the
national Woodmen convention meeting in
this city June is. each represent 500 MEM
national convention is the supreme law
making body. Grand Secretary Halves is
ally. and upon the adjournment of the
coming convention they will receive their
pay from him.
VAST MACHINERY.
In addition to the vast machinery to run
over 1900 primaries. over 1900 county con-
ventions. thirty-five state and territorial
conventions and one national convention.
the grand secretary is also expected to
make arrangements for reduced railroad
rates for the delegates thereto wherever
possible. Feb. /. last. Major Halves started
the Woodmen convention machinery in
preparation for the coming national con-
vention. The local camps in February
elected delegates 10 the county conventions
which were held the first Wednesday in
April last. and which in turn elected dele
gates 20 the state and territorial conven-
tions held the 9th of last month in the
thirty-three States OF the societys juris-
diction.
In all. about $4,000 has been disbursed
on account of these conventions and the
coming national convention will probably
add 10000 more 10 the expense account
All bills against the society on account of
the national convention. including milea ge
and per diem OF delegates, head officers and
standing committees; viii be paid by Grand
Secretary Halves shortly before the adj
journment OF the coming meeting.
Unlike the national Democratic or Re-
publican organizations, the Woodmen ma
tional headquarters are buster before and
during the time Of holding conventions
than at any other time. After the con-
ventions are held. according to the So
ciety's law. the delegates do the rest. They
are vested with supreme authority Con-
trarywtse, the natic1al political organiza-
tons only begin to get busy as the conven-
tons complete their labors.