The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1907-03-29
SOON OPEN OPEN
|@BtsvsElonal Campaign Is Begin
darS ming to Thaw Out
AND GREAT ISSUES

VIII BE Discussed On the Platform
by Thousands of IratOrs. SEN
ator Tillman will DO Prominent
Among Them. Some of the 9th
or Speakers on Both Sides Are
Given Below.
National political issues will be
discussed to a greater extent the
present spring and summer than they
were during the recent session of
congress.
This statement may seem odd, but
it nevertheless, is true. a change
has came over the people of America
in the last decade---a change that is
particularly noticeable in Washing
ton. Years ago, political campaigns
were conducted practically through
only three or four months, in a pres
idential contest, and during only two
or three months in a congressional
contest. Times have changed and SO
have political methods. There is no
awaiting now for the presidential
campaign to begin next spring or
summer. 1t is con" at the moment.
Candidates, in their personality, may
not be discussed so much, but issues
of the campaign are being threshed
out from every rOStrum in the coun-
try.
Political arguments and partisan
appeals formerly were made either
through the newspapers or at stated
gatherings of one or another of the
political parties. In the opinion Of
the best political observers, the day
Of the political meeting, as such, is
passing if, needed, it already has
not gone into history. So far as in
fuence is concerned, it has become a
Renaissance. People attend politi-
cal meetings as a matter of curiosity
or to put in the time, but not to get
instruction as to how they shall vote.
In a few years more the "spellbin-
der" will be out of a job, because he
no longer is able, in the judgment of
the political managers, to deliver the
goods.
For several years the lecture plat
form has been increasing in import
ance and influence. 1t supplements
thoroughly the newspaper press il
conveying to the people facts and in
formation about the government ant
about the live questions of the day
This is Indicated by the number OF
prominent AmcricanS---men who arc
identified with the political life OF
the country--Who have appeared OF
the lecture platform and who prac
tically have abandoned the politica
rOstrum. Year in and year out the!
preach their doctrine from Chautau
qua platforms and lyceum stages
The discussions of issues which the.
present to the people I supposed
to be n~on-partisan. but as a matte,
of concrete fact they are as partisan
as is the individual who delives TIN
address.
Political lecturing isnot only profit
able to the mar who is successful a
it, but it enables the lecturer to reacl
agreater number of people whom 1T
probably desires to reach than an.
other method. Several members O.
congress have lecture engagement
which will consume practically all O
their time between this and the con
vening OF congress next December
For these lectures, which are eithe,
plain political speeches of disscrta
ton on various phases of social o.
economic life, those who deliver
them receive $50 to $3.50 each. The
price varies with the lecturer anC
the subject.
1t is not'unlikely that Senator Till
man Of South Carolina, will deliver
his lecture on the race question 15(
next December. In that time he vii
earn many times his salary as a Uni.
ted States senator, for he is Yankee
enough to get a mighty good price
for his lecture engagements. Every
lyceum manager and lecture promot-
er in the country eagerly sought Sen
ator Tillman's services this year, for
he draws enormous crowds wherever
he is billed to appear.
Senator LaFollette, the diminutivc
statesmanfrom Wisconsin, will spend
much of his time during the spring
and summer on the lecture platform.
William Jennings Bryan, too, will
appear frequently at important pub
lie assemblages as, also, will Senator
B~everidge, Of Indiana, who just now
is conducting a debate with Mr.. Bry-
an on the issues Of the next prcsi-
dental campaign. Former Senator
Fred Dubois, of Idaho, will attack
the Mormons on the lecture plat
form. Representative Champ Clark,
Of Missouri, Governor Folk, of the
same state, and Governor Cummins,
Of Iowa, also will be prominent sum
mel lecturers who will seek to
strengthen their political pocket
books by talking politics for a sub
stantial consideration.