The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-01-14
PROH|BITIONISTS To
TACKLE POLITICS
Planning To Get Directly Into The
Whirlpool OF Campaigning.

]
First steps haye been taken by Mary
land Prohibitionists ia organizing a big
local club that will have for its aim the
Capitalization of party power just as
party power has been centralized in
New York in Tammany Hall, and just
as it was at one time centralized in Bal
timore in the Calumet Club, and Just as
it is more or less centered in that city
at the present time in the Union League
and the Crescent Clubs.
1t is the intention of those who have
been most prominent in advocating the
organization of the new club that it
shall be scot free of the church and of
those religious associations that have
in the past been considered part and
parcel Of the party. The aid and en-
enlargement of the church and religion
are expected and desired, but the clubs
promoters think that the deliberations
and the plans for campaigning shall be
as far removed from prayer meetings
as politics can remove them.
Finley C. Hendrickson of Cumberland
is at present agitating the new idea,
and has sent his views broadcast
throughout the State. In reply he has
received encouragement from a large
number of sources. Mr.. Hendrickson
tells of his plans in interesting letters.
To win, he contends that the Prohibi-
ton party must fight the other parties
with simon-pure politics.
In this connection he says:
1.-The plan to form a MARYLAND Pro-
/ hibitiol Club, with the main organiza-
ton IN Baltimore, ought to meet with
prompt cooperation. Auxiliary and
local clubs should be formed IN each of
the counties, towns and villages. Of
course, the basis of these organizations
should be such as to support the regular
State and county organization.
Political discussion should have full
right of way in the clubs. Gospel tenn
perance, pledge signing, religious dis
cussions, etc, subjects and movements
of the highest Importance in their re-
/ spective spheres, should have no place
/ for discussion in these political clubs.
! THE political club is the natural and
proper place to work out political prob
/ lens affecting State and national poll
ton. The church is not organized on a
political basis.
with the highest regard for any and
all who labor in any sphere for the bet
terment Of mankind, yet believe that
any who teach or would imply that the
Prohibition party is church party, or
seeks particularly the vote of the
church, but binders the cause of pro-
hibition.
Therefore the Prohibition Club will
find broad patriotic field in such ques-
tions as follows:
''In what respect does the drink traf-
fic bear a different relation to repub-
lican platform of government than to
monarchy?
''In what special manner is the drink
traffic detrimental to our dual form of
government?
What, if any. relation does ''per-
sonal liberty" bear to constitutional
liberty?
Such questions as these may proper
ly be discussed by the Club between
campaigns. AS the campaigns APP
proach, more practical questions of en-
rollment of voters, getting out the vote,
poll watchers, etc, should receive the
undivided attention of the club, but in
all such more practical matters the
club should work in closest harmony
with, and supplement. theregular State
and county organizations.
1.-THE personal habits of those who
were willing to join in the movement or
visit the clubrooms should have no in
t1uence to keep them out. Such ques-
lions as total abstinence, religious dis
cussion and other matters not strictly
political should not be dragged into the
club for discussion.
eff the moderate drinker, or even the
drunkard, believes the drink traffic
should be prohibited and stands ready
to support the prohibition party to that
end on election day, the doors of pro-
hibition clubs should be opened to
them"