The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1899-04-15
THE STATE PRIMARY FOR SENATOR
DEFEATED.

AnG SAA1E PRIMARY FOR SENATOR
DEFEATED.
Mr.. Aliens Following on the Executive
Committee. Bring about This Result.
In his speech at Winona John Allen
agreed to join Gov. McLaurin in a
request to the State Executive Commit
tee. for a '.primary election" through
out the State, for United States Sena-
tor, and repeated this, in his speech at
Meridian. When the committee met
In Jackson, Gov. McLaurin subm. tied
his request in writing to the com
mite, asking that the question Of
United States Senator, be submitted to
a "primary Of all Democratic voters''
Of the State. The committee was
packed against any primary election,
and so packed by Mr.. Aliens followers.
Mr.. Allen was upon the floor of the
house, in which the Executive Com
mittee met, and held frequent con-
ferences in the speakers room, now
occupied by Capt. J. J. Evans, Rail
road Commissioner, with his friends
on the committee. When Mr.. Bowers
introduced a resolution, after the read>
ing of Gov. McLaurin's request; to tho
Convention for State primary, Mr..
Allen made Il statement, to the COM
mittee, requesting them to follow their
own judgement, in the matter. While,
"he believed as he said, that "his
individual interests would he best SUBJ
served by State primary" 1t just
happened so, that every friend OF his
on the committee, voted against having
State primary. 1t is apparent that
this 'grand stand play" Of Mr.. Aliens
was the cheapest kind Of demagcguery,
pretending so be in favor Of a popular
expression of opinion, by the Demo-
Gratis Of the State, in a primary, while
every friend he had, and who was
there to do his bidding, promptly voted
in direct opposition to the sentiments
he expressed. OF course, this is too
transparent to deceive even an idiot.
1t has been charged that the State
Executive Committee was packed to
stifle the voice of the people. and was
loaded up with the friends of Mr.. AL.
len, by filling vacancies, that absolute
ly precluded, every chance for pri-
wary election. When it is known that
the snames of ipersons were added
to the list, as being on the committee
who had never appeared upon the
rolls, as committeeman, it is apparent
that the scheme was organized before
the meeting was called to order, to
bring about precisely the result that
was reached. Notwithstanding this
political juggling, the people will be
heard in these nominations and elec-
tions. 1t is alledged now, that the
county Executive Committees, as far as
they can be Influenced by Mr.. Allen
and his following, no primaries will be
allowed to be held in counties, which
can be Influenced against 1t, so as
to absolutely gag the people, and pre-
vent their being heard, in the nomi-
nations for State officers, or any
instructions to the members OF the
Legislature, through the county pri-
maries. 1t is apparent that wherever
this can be done, it leaves the door
open for traficking, trading and swap
ping, both in the State Convention to
be held on the % of August, and in the
Legislature, which meets January next.
The people In every county in the
State should demand primary, of
their Executive Committee, that the
voice of the people in this matter, for
the highest positions within the gift ot
the people; and not leave it to unin-
structed delegates, or representatives,
to do their own sweet will, regardless
OF the voice and wishes of an over
whelmtng majority of the Democratic
party Of the State.