The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-13
PosToFFICE PRIMARIES.
The Democratic Committee on Rules
Takes Action,

Takes Action.
The committee of eighteen on rules
appointed by the Democratic general COM
mittee TO formulate regulations and in
structions for enrolment Of Democrats in
district CLUBS and conducting primaries
met last night at the Baldwin Hotel. Max
Pepper presided.
He introduced his favorite plan of hold
ing primary elections on the new post
office" method. Since offering resolution
before the general committee he said he
had made him self familiar with The details
OF this plan. While 1t would not be entirely
practical to carry it out according to the
design of Mayor ID aZZard of Los Angeles,
who invented the pos ioffice plan, he came
to determination regarding simplified
system. which was explained minutely and
with sufficient clearness to make it thor
oughly understood by every member of the
committee.
In brief, the plan is to have election
boards in the different districts where bal
lots can be obtained by voters. On getting
his ballot the voter is given a stamped en-
velope addressed to general election
headquarters, and his name is marked off
as voted" He then takes the ballot
ONE, puts marks opposite the names be
selects and drops the ballot ia Its envelope
into a letter box. The ballot finally
reaches headquarters, where it is recorded
THE idea of introducing this new sys-
| tenn" said the speaker, lis to remove fraud
| or possibility of fraud in primary elections.
| The present manner of conducting cleo
| tions Is uucivillZed, and the sooner we put
stop to 1t the better for all concerned"
Z. +. Finn objected on the ground that
! it is too late now to make an innovation.
J. d. Condor held the opposite view,
claiming that it is a general sentiment ia
the Democratic party to Introduce reform,
and as for novelty, this is the age OF innO-
vations.
Thomas Chandler wanted to know if it
is not possible for the wrong man TO get
| the ballot and sign another's name. He
claimed that fraud could be committed aud
| the contest would end in nothing. The
mere tact of signing ones name on bal
| lot, be said, would mot be forgery. Clitus
| Barbour ADDED the offense would be only
an infracton Of the election laws or false
| person alton.
| Robert Boyd also protested on the ground
! that the time is too short for introducing
the pOstOffice plan; that the plan is not
better than the old system and afforded
equal opportunities for fraud.
A motion was made by E. 2. Casserly
that'the matter be referred to a snb-com-
mitUee of five to prepare definite plan in
| writing and report back at a meeting TO-
night. 1t was carried and the following
named members were appointed on the
committee: E. p. Casserly, j. d. Condor,
Robert Boyd, f. j. Reynolds, Thomas
Chandler, p. L. Finn.
The committee recommended that en-
rolImsnt in district clubs be held between
the hours of and $3.50 on evenings
in June to be designated later. The hours
for holding the primary election in July
will be from IL A. NJ TO P. NJ. New Tegu-
| lations as follows were recommended:
In view Of the fact that 1t is Of the most vital
Importance 10 the party that the work of eau
wasting shall be carefully aud thoroughly per-
formed TO the end that none but resident Demo-
Gratis shall be or remain upon The rolls, IL is
recommended that each District Committee
| select during the canvass one Of It's members
from each precinct in the district to act with
the canvassing COMMITTEES IN the performance
| of their labors.
No persons taking part in the Republican
pFImary election or cleo ions in the year 1894,
by aiding the parties conducting said prina-
ries, voting al the same, shall be permitted
| TO enroll III any Democratic club in this city.
Should any such person enroll his name may be
stricken from the rolls by the canvassibg CON-
mittee upon satisfactory proof being made that
such person did aid the Republican party aiore-
/ said.