Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-04-28
To the Democratic Voters Of the City Of
Alexandria. Virginia

To the Democratic voters OF the City Of
Alexandria, Virginia.
The mocrsts OF this city will be c7,lei upon
to. morrow to select nominees for the different or
fees to be filed in the general election, the oa tn
Thursday in May next. The offices % bc d ci
are those of the CommOnwC alth's Attorney. the
City sc geant and the Commissioner OF tn Lev.
ne. The only office in which there Is oppo iton
is that of Commemorative Attorney. There ate
thr,e candidates for this office, and they ask.
ing the support OF the democratic voters. The
democratic city committee at its first meeting
passed resolution fixing the qualifications Of
voters in the primary. This resolution was IN.
deed similar to these established for the sst two
or three years, the necessity for such resolutions
in the past being the fact that under the rcadju.i
or movement in this State many gtot democrats
left their party upon difference Of opinion upon
the state debt question, aud some snch resolution
WAS necessary ut that time allowing sl persrus
rho D edged Themselves 10 support the roD,Wtc Ia
take part In the primaries, and the undersigned
made no oil lection TO the said resolution ut tue
first meeting of the committee, supposlug aud be-
ioying thst only such persons who had in the
past participated in the democratic primaries
would do so now. Upon canvass, however, i
was ascertained that the republican party, IS
whole, intended to take part in the democratic
primary to be held tomorrow, some TO ospln
the cause ard assist or the other of the cnndl-
da'es for the Commonwealth Attorr ey, and 10
cal q ievances. The undersigned, candidate IN
democratic primary, found himself the ONE
the three candidates against whom the rcpuhl-
can contingent" proposed to make battle, AID
knowing full well that the democratic city com.
mittee did not intend By their resolution To slloT
The republicans, whoic, to rule their primary
primary which should only be governed b.
democrats, the committee being called together
Thu sday night last, and there being ample proof
of the intentions of most OF tho republicans who
declared their purpose of partlciI atiDg III the psi
mary, promptly and decisively rescirdei the re-
oluton passed by them at their former meeting
and adopted the following:
II hat all kno Tn democrats, who haze bcroo-
fore voted the democratic ticket, can vote IN the
primary. No known republican will be permitted
70 vote"
Mr.. James r. Cation was tho only one OF the
candidates. Tor tho Cice of Commonwealth At
torney who objected to this last resolution, and
a.ed that he would withdraw if the same was
pass ed. He raised as matter Of objection to the
resembling of the first Ie oution adOnted by the
committee that certain known republicans had
hitherto taken part in tho democratic primaries,
and for that reason should be allowed to do So
now; that they genersllyvoted with us in the mnni
cpal election s. that the ommit &C having r;tsscd
resolution allowing all persons who picdgfi thoG-
selves to support the nominees TO Vote IN the pr-
mary, it WAS TOO LATE TO change the same, and
considered it hardship and injustice TO him
and them that the privilege bc denied them.
This is his grievance and complaint, and he has
since made his CANVASS upon that issue before the
democrats of this city. Has MI Cation realized
how many good, consistent democrats refuse 10
take part in primaries for the sole reason thSt
every political party can take part in them. and
that with majority the pledges to support tho nom
inees 90 for nOught when the general Q ecton Is
heidi Is it not fact that our democratic uomi-
nees have, time and time again. been de Gated by
last such resolution as he thinks should now be
sustained? i refer him specifically to The cleo
I ons in which Capt Robert F. Knox Was tho can
didatc for City sergeant and the first time the late
John b. Sm0ot nominated for Mayor Mi
Cation complains that it too late to change
the resolution aud that the objection should
have been made when the ii fst resolution
adopted. Let me ask him, To whom should
We give notice To republican. TINT bee
cannot take pant in democratic pr mary
Every democrat who wishes TO vote Tomorrow,
challenges the right OF any one 10 prevent iilm,
but, democrats must give timely and reas0'igt no
tice TO he republicans that they will not be al
lowed this time, to assist in naming nominees Tor
democrats to vote for in the general election
] he consistent republicans of this city, That be
SPEAKS Of, land there are many good and valuable
resident citizens of that politiesl party and ny
rem arks 6ro not intended as personal, but are
only made from political standpoint do not al.
low democrats to take psrt in their primaries AMI
conventions 10 select their nominees, but, Cn The
contrary, will in the coming fall election 20
which time we have to elect member OF Con
gress doff their hats to the democrats Of Aloxan.
dria and the democratic party and say We wee
with You in the spring, but we arc against you 10
the fall: goodbye Mr.. Democ at and your party
/ will see you later, next spring md help you 10
nominate your candidates in your own prn y,
but must leave you now, as havemy own rcpub-
lican interests to subseIve and with the he snd
prominence that you have given us in your own
elections, We hope tn defeat you AS ! Outend.
ed before the committee, if one republican is al
lowed TO vote in tho democratic primary nh have
the the came tight to vote. and when repuollcAr
can hold the balance 81 pOuer in democratic prlm
airy it ceases 10 be aud it's o. ects defeated.
What il justice could be done any democrat, SUI
uniting his claims to democratic primary by
allowing only democrats to participate III that
primary?
Why should candidate before r democrat
primary be denied nj mnation, he having re-
ceiyed meority OF the Gem cratic votes, but VINO
is outnumbered IN point Of fact by nin0Idgd
democrats assisted by the republicans aho are al
lowed to participate in the primary
submit the above views in justice to myself, IS
1t was at my instance that the committee rescndei
their FIRST resolution, and Mr.. Cation, AS ssted,
has ince claimed in his canvass that as there Was
no objection made At tho first meeting, chsnge
l seek at the hands OF the democrats ihe
nomination for the office Of Commemorative At
torney, and submit my claims to their judgment
in democratic primary, the FIST thanks to your
committee, that has been held i'll this city for acY-
eral years. Yours resp ctiuly,
LEONARD hA8BURY