The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1895-12-26
To the Democrats of Ward 9.

L see III the issue OF the Banner OF
Dec. 18th, card from Mr.. Morris,
late candidate for Constable in ward
2 AS there has been some discus
sion as to whether there will be
second primary to settle the matter
[ beg leave to answer the said card
aud let my friends know how I feel
on the subject.
On Nov. 23rd last Mr. Morris and
[ were opposing candidates for the
office of Constable of ward 2, subject
to the action Of the Democratic party
At said election Mr.. Morris received
one vote more than T. As I had
challenged the vote of Wesley Thorn
as, on account of his age; and that
of E. McCaleb, Oh account of his res
idence, | filed a contest before the
Democratic Executive Committee of
the parish, setting forth these facts,
and asked that these illegal votes be
thrown out and [ be declared the
nominee. The contest was tried and
the Committee, in it's rush to adjourn
SO as to meet the evening train,
which was about due when the evil
deuce closed, agreed among them
selves that for harmony's sake it
would be best to order another cleo
ton, and adjourned to meet three
days later to consider other contests
and to finish up the tabulation and
declare the nominees. While [ felt
at the time that [ should have been
declared the nominee, for it was
clearly shown that Thomas was only
10 years old and McCaleb lived in
ward 5, still, being a Democrat, I
was willing to abide the decision of
the Committee. The Committee met
three days later with ten of the elev-
Ell members of the Committee pres
ent in person or by proxy. l was
not present and did not ask for a re-
consideration. Mr.. Morris was pres
ent on that day when a motion to re-
consider the contest came up. The
Committee, feeling that they had not
done right in sacrificing my rights
and the principles of the Democratic
party simply to pacify Nh. Morris
and n few friends, after due delibera-
ton decided to reconsider the mat
ter. Mr.. Morris and his friends on
the Committee bolted the meeting
and left six members, which was
majority, (Mr. Pickett having long
since left the parish) to pass upon
the matter. They re-considered the
contest, and feeling satisfied that I
had received majority of the legal
votes, AMI d. clared me the nominee.
This was done by the Committee on
their own motion, I not being even
present.
Mr. Morris was dissatisfied and
challenged me to another primary
election on Jan. 18th, 1896, and says
he will not be bound by the action
of Democratic Executive Committee.
The question is asked, what is
Montgomery going to do? What is
there for me to do? We both an
nounced ourselves as candidates sub
ject to the action Of the Democratic
party. Should we not stand by the
action Of the party? Is not the
Democratic Executive Committee the
head of the party, and it's true and
legal representative? Undoubtedly
this is true. Then this question
arises, would Lbe doing right, after
having announced myself as a Demo
Graf, to totally disregard the action
OF the party and take Mr.. Morris and
his views as criterion for Democra-
cy and annoy the people with null
tiplicity of elections just to crafty
the whims of defeated candidate
Besides have no assurance that he
would be satisfied if l were to run
the race over. If Democrats 90 into
Democratic primaries they should
abide the action of the party, and I,
for one, will not go back upon the
action of my party, even though I
might feel and think differently.
1t is reported that Mr.. Morris will
run at the general election, notwith-
standing the Democratic Executive
Committee have declared me the
nominee. | shall regret very much
to so into such a race, but the Dem.
ocratic party is and should be para
mount to personal feeling of candi-
dates and shall cast my lot with
her, and will not enter into another
primary unless the Democratic party
SO orders. When it does, shall do
SO, but not till then. If the people
of ward 2 are willing to sacrifice
Democracy and go back on party
principles to laud Mr.. Morris, so let
1t be. The blame will rest on them,
not on me. 1 simply stand on the
action OF the party. If rise I shall
rise on Democratic principles, if go
down l shall go with the proud con