Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-23

PRECINCT MEETINGS TO BE HELD ON
THURSDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 9TH.
The Subject Fully and Freely Discussed by
the City Democratic
Committee.


night decided to elect delegates to the
Congressional Convention at precinct
meetings to be held on Thursday night,
August 7th.
This decision was arrived at after con-
siderable discussion. though the members
were largely opposed to the primary.
Chairman Lamb and vice-C Chairman Big
ger were both absent, and few minutes
before O'Clock Mr.. Guy moved that Mr..
Charles /. Philips be called TO the chair.
which was unanimously agreed TO. There
were twenty-four out of the thirty men,
bers of the body present.
THE PLAN.
The first business was to hear the report
of the Committee on Plans read. Mr.
Brady, the chairman, said the matter of
electing delegates to the Congressional
Convention had been fully discussed at
the last meeting, and the sentiment of the
members was decidedly in favor of pre-
cinot meetings; therefore. when his CON-
mittee met they felt that they should sub
nit a plan in accordance with the ex-
pressed wishes.
He sent his report to the Clerk, and it
was read. The features of this report;
which was signed by Messrs. Farrar and
in the dispatch of last Sunday.
WANTED PRIMARY.
Mr.. Brady had the following read, which
explained his reasons for not signing the
report; o
To The CITY Democratic Committee:
tientlemen,-As you will observe. did
not sign the report of your Committee on
Plans, and for the following and many
other good reasons: First. l do not tbe-
lieve you can get fair expression of the
choice of the people by 1t; second, 1t VIII
not give satisfaction and will create dis
cord in the party: third, believe large
majority of the people prefer a primary.
and ! have heard no good reason why they
should not have it. Very respectfully.
s. B. BRADY.
Chairman Committee on Plans.
Mr.. Brady explained that at the previous
meeting he was in favor of the primary and
had learned that the sentiment of the De-
mocrats Of the city was largely with him.
For the good of the party and in order to
give general satisfaction he believed 1t
would be unwise TO adopt the report OF
the committee,
Mr.. Farrar. of the committee, said he
had always been a primary man. but after
thinking the matter over he had come to
the conclusion that in this case precinct
meetings will be best.
MONEY THE QUESTION.
The objection to having primary is its
cost, explained Mr.. Ferrlter. Ho was in
favor of precinct meetings for the reason
that the committee has no money TO carry
out the more expensive system. lie would
gladly vote for a primary II the funds to
defray the expenses of the same were at
hand. The expense of such On election.
he believed, would be about Sl,2o0. The
whole question was one OF great moment
TO the yarty, and he would readily vote for
any plan that would suit the people, but
when the money for primary is lacking
the best solution of the question. he be-
lieyed, was to have precinct meetings.
DIR. Wood was in favor of precinct meet
ings because they are not so expensive as
primaries. With regard to the sentiment
of the Democrats as to the manner of
electing delegates there was wide differ
ence of opinion. He had not doubt that
the money for primary could be raised,
but then we will need all the funds for the
more important election in November. AS
he had said at the previous meeting. II the
candidates would agree to pay the expense
he would vote to give them any plan they
desire.
Mr.. Brady said the cost of primary had
been estimated too high. At the most 1t
yould not cost over $500 for this city, and
that would be allowing each judge 50 per
Mr. Ferriter wanted to know how about
the candidates-they would be " bled To
death.
Mr. Brady replied that it was no part OF
the committees business as to the candi,
dates spending their money. lie ADDED
that if the precinct plan was adopted we
might need more money at the iaii elec,
ton than if q candidate Was nominated al
the primary.
Mr.. Knowles told the committee he had
not heard an expression in favor OF pri-
mary except in the papers until he came to
the meeting.
PACKED PRIMARIES.
IF a urinary in the real sense of the
word could be had Mr.. Bowery said he
would favor it: but such elections are as
often packed as precinct meetings. lie
was of the opinion that the committee
knew as we'll az the people what system
was best for the party. The best workers
and the real voters are, he declared, op-
nosed 70 a primary. They think there Is
something dark" about primaries. Pre-
cinct meetings are more approved.
Mr.. II. F. Phillips was in favor OF pre-.
cinct meetings. There never was any more
kicking than at the last primary. Every.
body can't be pleased, and there - certain
to be dissatisfaction no matter what pian
is adopted.
PUBLIC OPINION AROUSED.
It is a good thing public opinion MAJ
been directed to the manner OF choosing
candidate. said SIR. Guy. The fact that tins
subject Is being discussed III the press /;
we'll. If the people were especially welded
TO any particular plan he thought th'
committee should index their sentiment
An objection to the primary IS that the
time is short and il would be almost ,mpos
sible for the candidates TO 60 over the DIS
trict and stir the people up. and IT IL wei
known that in the past poor primaries hav'
rejected on the party. Mr. Guy here mel
dentally remarked that if our candidate !:
opposed next fall he thinks IT Will be pN
an independent. and we Will need oiI
vote. I" | am half countryman and hal
city man." remarked Mr.. Guy. and
know the country people cannot be gotter
together to poll large vote at primary
if one is held at this late day."
MIR. Guy added with some emphasis tina
now that public opinion is aroused as u
the manner of nominating candidate
he hoped the people would .conslde
we'll a. to the best man to choose a
the standard-bearer. We will need th'
strongest man in the district, ant
one who will not run behind tn
ticket, but ahead of it.. 1t is th'
duty Of the committee to do all in ther
power to see that the best man is put up
and one who will be certain to win. ~
thought the date (July 3lsD fixed in tn
plan for electing delegates too early. Th'
people should be given longer time u
think over the matter as to who Is the oes
man.
NINE TENTHs WANT PRIMARY.
Mr.. Davis said there was no doubt OF th'
fact that the people were largely in favol
of a primary. He thought fully nin'
tenths of the Democrats wanted this sys
tem-certainly in his ward Clay. He dit
not think the objections to prlmar.
urged by Mr.. Guy were of much force
The city could have q primary and tn,
country people could do as they pleased
1t would take only $500 to pay the expense
of q primary. and certainly the committee
| could raise one half of this and the candi
dates the remainder.
WARD PRIMARY.
~ am for no man, but for my party" re
| marked Mr.. Hicks. He then suggested
that as the cost of primary would be 81
GREAT, it might be we'll to open one pre-
cinct in each ward, which would not be 81