The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-08
TT WAS ALL A FAILURE.
ATTEMPT 10 ABOLISH THE PRIMARY
some of thu Members OF the City Committee
Wanted Ward Meetings-Mr. Curtis
Relieved OF His Pledge.

lie sentiment prevailed.
DR. Wood called the meeting TO order and
explained that it was called at the instance OF
Colonel John i. Cary and Mr.. W. H. Curtis.
Colonel Cary stated that II was not at bis
/ instance and the first notice he had OF II was
/ in reading a newspaper notice. Mr.. curtis
said he did not ask that the meeting De called
either. but that be desired 70. Dring matter
TO their attention. Dr. Wood then stated that
/ he called the meeting on the authority and
at the request Of gentlemen who were trends
Of Colonel Cary and Mr. Curtis, and, he
understood. acting for them Ooionei
| Cary said he was ready 20 stand 10 MS promise
and did not want any meeting
For the benefit Of those who have not toll
/ lowed the proceedings of the committee
| closely il may be well 10 state that at preyi-
| Gus meeting when the ady5aDlllty or having
primary seemed doubtful because OF
! the probable difficulty OF raising the money,
! Colonel John b. Cary offered 70 become per-
sonaly responsible tor one-hslf the amount.
The committee still demurTing. Mr.. W. II.
Curtis offered 10 make good the other half.
On the strength Of these promises the COM
mittee ordered the primary. and instructed
the finance committee TO collect the money
and call on these gentlemen for any deficit.
nder the plan adopted for the pr mary
clerk and two judges are provided Tor and
the two Democratic clubs are invited 10 iur-
nish each one man. leaving the committee
only one man at each precinct u pay ior; but
should they fail TO appoint, then the commit
tee becomes responsible for all three.
FOUND IT HARD TO DO.
Mr.. w. II. Curtis said to the committee
that when he gave the guarantee he expected
to raise the money outside without trouble.
but he had found that impossible, and that
while he would 20 into his own pocket and
supply the money ii the committee considered
it necessary be thought 1t a hardsnlp. ana
asked that the candidates be assessed 10 raise
the amount
DR.. Wood being asked by member, stated
that he had made an experimental canvass on
Cary street and elsewhere. and had asked
twenty-five men 10 contribute 10 the primary
but did not gote cent. some SAID they thought
the candidates ought 70 pay ana some VINO
were Hill men did not want primary. lie
did not think the money could be secured IN
that way IN the limited time allowed.
Alr Phillips moved that Dir. Curtis be re-
lleved from his pledge.
Mr. Seay said the two gentlemen made the
promise with a full understanding Of what
they were doing. and he was IN favor OF hold
Ing them to their pledge.
Mr. Bowery was opposed 10 assessing can
didates who were invited 70 run under other
conditions He stated for Colonel Cary that
he was willing 10 pay tor one clerk at each
precinct the rent OF the polling places and
the printing If II did not cost over 1900 and
that If there was any expense IN copying
books for use at the polls he would donate go
additional
Mr. Phillips motion was put and Mr. Curtis
was relieved Of his pledge by unanimous
vote.
Mr.. Davis then moved that Colonel Cary
be also relieved from his pledge.
Colonel Cary protested and said be did not
want to be relieved. but renewed his guar
antee, making the amount 1850 instead OF
500. the first estimate.
Mr.. Hicks said be stood JUST whore he did
in the beginning and was IN favor Of prl-
mary If the money was IN sight.
Mr.. Wallace opposed the primary and
argued at length IN favor of precinct meet
ings. and set forth the advantages of this
method He said he believed that quite as
large. vote could be cast in that way as in a
primary, and he did not believe much
interest would be taken IN the primary If 1t
was held. tie then offered the following:
That whereas this committee thinks It
iniudicIOus to have primary (Which IS ne
cessarily expensive for the election Of dele
gates to the State Convention, that it is
hereby
Resolved. That the plan heretofore adopted
be and is hereby recnded and that the dele
gates be elected OF precinct meetings 10 DO
held in this city Monday, May 10th.
Of THE PEOPLE.
Mr.. Bowery dissented vigorously against
such an action and IN reviewing the proceed
ings of the committee measured up the pub
lie sentiment and warned the committee If
the effect the action would have on the peo-
ple. The people wanted IT, and when a cit-
zen comes here and offers 10 divide the eX-
pense think the committee would deserve
the censure that they will surely get If they
take advantage Of this meeting. which was
called for another purpose. 70 90 backward
in this matter. a few might approve the
action: the great maority would not. The
of la 90 cal Ia no ah
ton.
DR.. Wood said he hoped Mr. Wallaces
motion would be voted down. 10 was now
too late 10 change the plan, besides, said he
L. am not talking 10 children when call the
attention of these members 10 the manner IN
which precinct meetings are packed and
cowed and how a certain class Of cur citizens
attend these meetings and control them 10
SUIT themselves. When see the newspapers
from TIE TIMts down calling for primary
] know it is the desire of the people. And #
we have aprimary We will have something ike
an expression Of the will OF the people and
the people will be satisfied. Precinct meet
ings will not be satisfactory and hope it Will
be voted down.
Mr. Wallace again spoke at length in favor
of his motion
Captain Cunningham Hall. treasurer. said
that the primary would cost 500. and that
Colonel Cary having provided for $3.50 OF that
amount lie was sure the balance could be
raised indeed a. treasurer Of the club. he
would see that II was forthcoming.
Mr.. Wallace then withdrew las motion aud
motion accepting Colonel Carys offer and
instructing the finance committee % pro-
vide the balance was adopted
THE PLAN CHANGED
On motion, the plan Of primary was changed
so as 20 allow the two Democratic clubs I'M
I'll Tuesday at d clock % appoint their
judges and clerks for the various precincts
Mr.. G.. y. Meredith speaking Tor the Cleye-
land Cub. said that they would do everything
possible 10 relieve tho committee aud thought
they would DO able TO get volunteers for
every precinct.
Captain john A. Curtis, speaking FOR the
Anti Cleveland Hill Club. said be did not
think bis club would ppOint any az all
IT. Wood instructed the ward superintend-
ents 10 say 20 the registrars that 10 w0lld be
considered "a dlscOurtesy 70 the committee #
they declined 10 serve IL the primary unless
they had an important reason. and gave IS
MS private opinion that registrars should not
he allowed to hold the Office who were so IN
accommodating.