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FIRST CHAPTER
THE FIRST PARTY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED
STATES
I. THE germs of American extra-constitutional or- ganization are to be found in the clubs of the colonial
period, which flourished mostly in Boston. These
clubs, originally of a social character, became on the
approach of the American Revolution a centre of politi-
cal discussion, and very soon of political action too.
Among the Boston clubs a conspicuous place was taken
by the Caucus Club. The origin of this odd name, which
had such an extraordinary future before it, is still a
moot point for the learned. 1 In the more or less secret
meetings of the Caucus Club public affairs had long
been a subject of discussion, whether current business
before the colonial Assembly, or, and especially, local

Beginnings
of extra-
constitu-
tional or-
ganizations.

____________________
1 According to some the term "caucus" is supposed to come from
the Algonquin Indians, from the word kaw-haw-was, which in their
language meant to talk, to give advice, to instigate. Another theory
derives "caucus" from the English word "calker" or "caulker."
According to some it referred to the caulkers in the Boston dockyards,
who, when seeking redress against the English soldiers with whom
they came in conflict, held meetings, at which, as it would appear,
delegates were chosen to bring their grievances before the authorities.
According to others the nickname of "caucus" has been given to
private gatherings of politicians in Boston by a modification of the
word "caulker," because they held their meetings in the caulker's
club or in a room which had formerly been used as a meeting place
for the caulkers.

-3-

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Publication Information: Book Title: Democracy and the Party System in the United States. Contributors: M. Ostrogorski - author. Publisher: Macmillan. Place of Publication: New York. Publication Year: 1910. Page Number: 3.
    
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