The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-17
ATKINSON SOUNDS AN ALARM.
A JUNE PRIMARY FULL OF PERIL
To THE PARTY.

The Apathy Which WOuId Result in
October Would Probably Mean De-
feat of the Democratic Candidates
in Many COgnties-On the Other
Hand a Primary on the SENATOR
ship in Connection with the state
Election Would Bring Out the FUN
Democratic Vote.
Atlanta. Ga. April l6.-Gov. Atkinson
to-day gave 20 the press a letter written
to Chairman ]. w. Harris Of the Barlow
county executive committee. taking the
same position as Chairman Clay in oppo-
sition to the holding OF a senatorial pri-
mary on June 6.
The governor urges several additional
grounds against action. In June. calling
especial attention to the fact that the
new registration law is to be tried this
year, and it will be hazardous to depart
from party usuages until 1t has been
tried.
I'm Fulton. Chatham. Blbb. Muscogee.
Coweta,, Troup and other like Counties
said the governor, in giving the letter ous
for publication to-day, the populIst party
has not strength enough to stimulate ths
democrats to register In order to vote in
the state election. because they feel that
their ticket is safe In the county. aud
there is no use for them to exert them
selves. These conditions existing in Theses
counties. It is certain that the registra-
tion there will be small unless something
Is done to encourage the people to reg
lister. If In October we have the vote for
United States senator and none are AL
lowed to vote save those who vote in tho
general election, Il will largely Increase tho
vote for the tcket in these counties and
others similarly situated. In my opinion
in the counties named alone the vote for
United States senator II taken in Octo-
Der, viii increase the vote for the state
ticket at least 5000"
The governor in his letter to Judge Har-
rs says: IN my opinion June primaries
on the United states senatOrship will re-
suit In great injury to the party, possibly
lmperilllng the success of the state ticket
and certainly defeating legislators and
county ohicers IN quite number or coun-
ties. When we remember that we are to
hold the first election under the new reg
istration law, that Il cannot now be known
now II Will effect the strength Of our par
", that we are threatened with a fusion
or the opposing forces, and that the loss
on change OF 100 votes on the basis Of the
returns OF two years ago Will lose quite a
number OF counties Ii should serve to
make US slow to revolutionize well estab-
ilsned party usage, or to precipitate such
party brethren just cause OF complaint I
am convinced that II no June primaries
are held, but all postponed by counties de-
string to hold primaries on the senatorsh hip
until the day Of the october election, Il
VIII save many counties TO the democracy
and largely increase the vote of the state
ticket Under this plan there will be no
sore or disappointed democrats, no causa
for charging that any portion OF the party
mas been unfairly dealt with, or that snap
judgment has been taken by anyone, but
all shades OF opinion within the party will
feel that they have been fairly treated by
their party associates and will continue ac-
lively at work for the success of democ-
raey until the polls close IN October.
October primaries would have the adj
vantage of being fuller expression of the
people made after all the discussion OF
the campaign, and after the action of the
state and national conventions, and would
aid In preserving the unity and strength
OF the party. 1 feel deep interest in
the success Of the county tickets as we'll
as the state ticket, and hope to see more
conservative action than Is now threatens
ed. The real contests in which we are to
engage are the elections for the county
and state officers In October, and cleo
tors and members of congress In No.
vember and 10 be successful we must be
fair, considerate of the rights and feel
ings Of others and conslderate OF party
usage"