Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-11-10
THE PRIMARY.

That an intelligent idea may be
formed of the meaning of the pri-
maries in this county it is necessary
to inquire what the primaries were.
The regular Democratic Convention
of the county met in Clarksville on
August 9th, 1888. This convention
was called by the regular Democratic
Executive Committee of the party.
1t nominated candidates for the
Legislature and left them unin-
structed as to U. s. Senator. No prl-
mary election was called, and 1t has
been admitted, upon the, part OF
Harris supporters that 1T was not
asked from the convention for the
reason that they kne10 the convention
would not call it. The Harris men,
the minority in the convention, then
determined to have primary and
ordered it. No application was made
to the Executive Committee for one.
Their call was issued, signed by over
one hundred men-(See Clarksville
Democratic, Oct. 15th.) Some from
every district in the county.
lQho o8itio e,cin submitted
was cont lied IN the requests to be
made the candidates as follows: "That
our candidates for the Legislature and
State Senate be, and are hereby re-
quested each to say publicly whether
he will abide by the result Of this
primary election and whether if the
vote for any person in this primary
should exceed half his own vote he
will labor faithful to elect such per-
son to the United State Senate"
The candidates declined to be in
strucetd by primary unlessed called
by the Democratic party in its
organic capacity, but agreed to
give due weight to any express
sion of opinion. Thereupon, indie
pendent candidates were nominated
by Mr.. Harris friends and they pub
Iished proclamation upon which
they said they would "stand or fall"
Gen. Quarles, one of the nominees in
addressing his card to ~ p. Howard,
chairman Of the Primary Committee"
saws. "NoW, as one who has acted
with you throughout believe l am
correct in saying you are willing, in
deed, would agree toany other stand
ard-that of Cleveland for instance
or any other fair standard by which
the majority could be fixed and ascer-
tained.p The Democrat sf Nov. Isl,
said, "a primary e0W be held on the
day Of the general election and ali
Democrats are urged to vote their
preference for United States Senator"
Every effort is being made to dis
suade Mr.. Harris friends from voting
at the primary, some of the gang
going so far as to say the result will
not be needed. "The gentlemen who
go to the legislature from MOntgon-
cry will not dare to defy the wishes
OF a majority Of Democrats whom they
ask for suffrage. Come out and vote
the ticket and be sure to cast vote
in the primary"
We have thus copied from the
statement of those of Mr.. Harris
friends to show the issue Htey n,aie.
The people of the county know the
great efforts made for Mr. Harris, the
canvass Of the county, the appoint
ment of committees to hold the pri-
maries in the districts, &C., the nu-
merous meetings, sc. The issues
were fairly made, on the one side By the
Democratic convention cnd the Democratic
Executive committee that The representatives
stgr,d % instructed, on the other side that
Aleg should 90 instructed fr Mr. Haris.
This fight was made at the ballot
box, the field Of battle the Harris
men selected. It was one man run
ming against no one. 1t is true as
stated that the opposition didn't
want anyone to vote. This was their
right. They foundat the Court house
at ClaFksyille, that the primary box
was so arranged that no man could
vote in the regular election and retire,