The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-08
CRIsP's SENATORIAL SCHEME.
He Wants the United States Senator
ship Decided by Primaries.

House of Representatives United States.
Washington, d c., March 4, 1S96.-Hon.
A. S. Clay, chairman state executive COM
mttee, Marietta, Ga. My Dear Sir: AS
the committee of which you are chairman
win meet on the 18th instant to take coun-
sci respecting party interests, both state
and national, venture to address you on
the subject of the selection of a candidate
for the office of United States senator for
the term beginning March 4th next.
For years there has been a growing SEN
timent throughout the country in favor of
a constitutional amendment, providing for
the election of senator's by the people On
July u. 1892, and again on July q, 1894,
the House of Representatives of the United
States by much more than the requisite
two-thirds vote, passed a joint resolution
proposing to the states such change in the
federal constitution. On both occasions
the democratic congressman We're practi-
cally unanimous in support of the meas
ure. | cite this action of the democrats of
the House as an evidence of the sentiment
of the party. 1t is very difficult and re-
quires much time to amend our constitu-
ton. In the meantime the democrats in
several of the states have Appropriated
the result desired by holding primary cleo
items at which the voters express their
choice for senator In this way, without
constitutional change, senators are prac-
tically elected by the people. For all Of
fees so filled it is the custom of our party
to make nominations and all must agree
that the most satisfactory, nay the only
really satisfactory method of nominating
where two or more are contrasting for the
same once IS Dy primary election, at which
each member of the party can at his own
precinct vote directly for the person he
wishes nominated.
l suppose your committee in calling a
convention to nominate our candidate for
governor and our candidates for state
house Offices will invite the democrats of
each county on named day to express
their wishes in respect to candidates for
those offices. l trust you will recommend
that this expression be by a primary
election, and venture to hope that you viii
nle oil IN 81,
county committees the propriety of re-
questing the party in each county, at the
same time and in the same manner, to de-
clare it's choice for the office of senator
The adoption of this method could be un-
fair to no candidate; would, l am sure
be agreeable to the members of the gem
eral assembly, who always desire to r.
fleet the wishes of their constituents.
would protect US from the unseemly and
have occurred before legislatures of other
states, and above all and beyond all
would remit TO the people themselves the
duty of filling by direct vote the most i'm
portant federal Office within their gift.
1t is hardly necessary for me to saw
these suggestions are not made in any
spirit of dictation or complaint nor ars
they made in any criticism of past party
action; they are made rather with the
view of the adoption of a course that will
protect us from any possible trouble in the
time to come. Nominations in which s'the
voice of the people" is heard promote
party harmony and party harmony insures
party success.
With assurances of respect and the M
most confidence, am, truly and sincerely
yours Charles +. Crisp