The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-16
CLAY DISAGREEs WITH CRISP.
THE CHAIRMAN OPPOSES VOTE
on THE sENATORsHIF IN JUNE.

FOLLOWING such n Contest would
Keep Many Voters Away From the
Polls In October October the
Proper Time for the Senatorial
Primary.
Atlanta, Ca. April 15.-Chairman Clay
of the state democratic executive COM
mittee is strongly opposed 70 the holding
of senatorial primary on June s. In
common with Gov. Atkinson and all the
other state house officers he believes thar
20 vote upon the senatorship in June
would seriously cripple the party for the
contest with the common enemy In Octo-
ber, IL not actually invite defeat for the
state ticket.
Recently Chairman Clay has received a
number Of letters asking him to give his
views on this matter. Among these let
ters of inquiry was one from the cores
pondent Of the Morning News. In answer
TO this Chairman Clay to-day gave out
the following statement for publication.
II being addressed TO Hon. w. G. r Price.
president of the Young Mems Democrats
League of Macon. who had also written
to get an expression from him He sayss
Marietta, Ca, April Il. 1s96.-Dear Sirs
Your favor Of the 11th inst. addressed
to me as chairman Of the democratic state
/ have received numerous letters during
the past several days on this subject and
have reflected for some time before an
swering any Of them.
At first 1 concluded not to make any
reply for publication, but after a careful
consideration, in the discharge of what
believe 20 be my duty, shall now an
swer your letter fully. / exceedingly re-
gret to see at this early day a spirit oe
dissenslon arising within the ranks Of tha
party, and which may lead 70 serious re-
suits do not hesitate to say that the last
democratic primary held in this state
between Gen. G. A. Evans and Hon. w. ".
Atkinson was fraught with such evil re-
suits as to almost cause the loss of tho
state in the last election. There were
many things which contributed TO bring
Ing about reduced democratic majority.
but IN my Judgment the primary held
then did the party more harm, and had
more to do with the reduced majority than
all the other causes combined. had
congratulated myself this year that we
would have little friction I'm the party on
account Of candidates., and that after tho
heal we all could go forth and battle for
the cause OF democracy and restore tho
state to Its normal democratic majority.
In my judgment the people ought 10
have the right TO express at the ballot
box their choice for United States sena-
tor. l have always believed that the peo-
pie ought to elect United States sena-
tors by direct vote, but the question
which now submits itself to our consid-
Grafton Is when and how they can vote
for United States senator without dis
rupting or In any way injuring the demos
cratic party.
Is 1t best to vote for United States sen-
ator on June or at the October electionr
Cannot the will Of The people be ascer-
tanned at one time as well as at anotherr
cannot democrats vote at the October
election as well as they can on June
and by their ballot determine who they
want for United States senator?
Now Is II not true in the event these
nlGnf1aEinna Rn nj nd nfff.1 10 .f..4-
comes excited, that II primary be held
on June that naturally the candidates
who have suffered defeat in the primary.
ana their friends also will feel cha-
grined, sore and disappointed, and win
not feel that enthusiasm In the elections
IN october that they otherwise would
on the contrary, n the primary for
United states senator be held in October
state house officers and members OF the
legislature, would not the forces OF am
the candidates for United States senator
united 0e az ne polls at work for their
Would not each side be enthused to
esRouse the cause of its candidate?
There would be no friction The elec-
ton would be over when the peoples "a
Georgia determined whom they wanted
FOR senator. The popular will could be
expressed and by the united efforts OF
democrats who entertain different views
IN regard 70 the senatorial and financial
question, the democratic vote would be
ness, disappointment and chagrin that
defeated candidates and their friends
might feel on account Of the primary
would be avoided, and by this means the
demoeratic party would have the enthu-
siaStic and earnest support OF the friends
Of each candidate in the October eiec-
ton. and at the same time the deno-
cratic voters of Georgia would have the
Tight and privilege of going to the polls
and and showing by their ballots whom they
preferred for United States senator
In my Judgment the democratic party In
Georgia at this time cannot stand strife
and contention within its own ranks at
least 1t ought not to be called upon to-
do so when 1t can be avoided and the
same result be accomplished.
You ask me to suggest some way ia
carry this out at the October election
Now, we have no law providing for the
people to vote for United States senator.
but as each county committee convenes
hereafter, resolutions could be passed pro-
Viding that separate ballot box be put
IN each militia district in the October elec-
tion, and that the executive committee OF
each district hold primary election for
United states senator on the same day
officers, and that all democrats who sup-
port the democratic nominees be authors
lied to cast their vote for senator. BY this
means the public will could be ascertained.
1t might be said that 1t is the duty OF ali
democrats who go into the primary those
who suffer defeat as well as those who
obtain victory, to unite and go TO work.
for the support of the democratic nomf-
nees. This Is true. but men often fail to
40 lnelf uuty- L deSlfe 20 say further
that 1t is not my intention in this letter.
to assume any authority in the premises.
for have none. Each county COMMITTEES
has the supreme right to judge of the
situation and act for itself. Each county
committee knows the situation and the
chairman of the state committee would
not presume under any circums tances to
dictate or influence a county COMMITTEES
In it's decision, but, my opinion was asked
in regard to these questions and / have
simply endeavored to answer them in my
own way, expressing my views about
them A. S. Clay
Chairman State Democratic Executive
Committee
1soIfR pRIsnNIcRs EsCAnr