Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 269, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1914 — REPUBLICANS ACTIVE FOR 1916 CAMPAIGN [ARTICLE]

REPUBLICANS ACTIVE FOR 1916 CAMPAIGN

Returning Progressives Just As Anxious As Republicans to i Overthrow Democratic Rule. J .. 'a Indianapolis,; ,N T ov. 12.—Probably never before in the political history of Indiana was the organization activity, of a party so pronounced immediately following an election as is that of Indiana republicans today. Apparently the shout that went up all over .the state the next day after the election was to the effect “Close up the ranks and on to victory." One of the interesting features of the situation is the fact that the demand that the work of organization he resumed promptly and carried 'foiward with vigor is equally as strong from returning progressives as from those who remained in the old household. Letters continue to pour into republican state headquarters by the hundreds from voters who were progressives until November 3rd last announcing their return to the republican party and offering their services in the work of organization and preparation for the battle of 1916. Tt is perfectly plain at this time that the opposition in Indiana to democracy will be solid, harmonious, enthusiastic and well organized when the presidential contest opens eighteen months hence.

In any number of counties arrangements have, already been made to maintain permanent headquarters and the matter is under consideration, in a number of other counties. Chairman Edwards, of Hendricks county, has announced that the republican committee of that county will keep headquarin Danville every working day between now and the next .election. The Marion county committee has made arrangements to keep committee rooms open and the same is tfbe of the Greene county committee. Clubs are being organized in every section of the state. A plan has been formulated for the organization of a republican club in every precinct in Madison county before the opening of the new year. A republican club has already been organized in Laporte county and a T»ilifcant*lot of republicans in Ripley county will perfect the organization of a dub next Saturday. “In all my years of experience I never saw the enthusiasm and the determination with which the work of organization is being pushed as it is at this time by the republicans”, remarked a veteran political observer today. ‘The drift is with the G. O. P. and the results of the recent election will create interest on the pair of thousands who possibly 1 were a bit -apathetic during the recent campaign. My guess is that the republicans will find the work of organization for the next campaign easier than it has been for tjventy years—in fa®t easier than it has been for any party to organize during that time. Another factor that must he taken into consideration in the next battle is the fact that the republicans will have about 3, r 500 office holders in the state working hand in glove with the regular party committeemen. And the fact that they, will have representation on every election board in the state and approximately one-half of the inspectors will not work to the party's disadvantage in the least”’-