The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-24
MR.. CUNNINGHAM CHAIRMAN.
A Way to Settle the Question of a
New Executive Committee Dis

cussed.
Since the recent Democratic primary
very little has been heard as 10 the e eci-n
of new executive committee. This seems
to be regarded by both sides as a minor,
though important. matter. and one which
can we'll afford to be allowed to rest unit
the echoes from the primary have diel
away.
At the same time 1t would be contrary
to all precedent to allow a committee 10
hold over indefinitely and this is solu-
ton to which the politicians would hardly
agree. To call primary election sim3ly
for the purpose of selecting committee
would be an expensive and trcublesome
procedure and with the soreness sin re-
naming from the primary IL is doubtful
If either side would welcome an order for
another primary in the near future.
In this juncture solution mas Deen
suggested which would appear to meet
all the conditions and tend TO party har-
mony without the necessity OF calling Tor
a primary election or a mass meeting or
even an agreement between the factions
for compromise committee.
The suggestion has been made that both
sides agree upon Mr.. T. Mayhem Cum
bingham, Jr., as chairman of the party,
and that he should be authorized to Sc
lect a committee of representative Demo-
Gratis without regard to factional affilia-
ton taking care to see, however, that
any partisans selected from either fac-
ton should be balanced by an equal num-
Der from the opposing faction. By this
means it is believed that a committee
could be secured which would be much
more satisfactory to the party at large
than would be the case should the com
mttee be chosen at primary or by
compromise.
In case of a primary or mass meeting
each side would place a partisan ticket
in the field and the committee elected
would be entirely devoted to the interests
of a faction. Past experience has proven
that this does noe give satisfactory re-
suits Should there be a compromise each
side would name an equal number OF par
tisans with the chances for the control
of the committee Ringing upon the de-
lection of one or more of the members
from the side for which they were APP
pointed.
1t is argued that the plan suggested
would give more satisfactory committee
and one composed of a better class of ma
terial than could be obtained in any other
manner. The committees would represent
the entire party and not any one faction,
ard its control would not depend upon the
detection of some enc or more of the
weaker brethren.
Mr.. Gum ngham's con }uct as referee
of the recent primary was so thoroughly
fair as to be entirely above criticism, and
the discretion and ability which he ex-
ercised in deciding all questions present.
ed to him won praise from both sides. AS
chairman of the party he could be relied
upon, IL is agreed by both factions, to
exercise the same fairness, ability and
discre ton and with the same qualities APP
piled in the selection of an executive COM
mittee the party might be saved in the
future the threats Of boiling, disruption
and charges of unfairness which have
menaced 1t in the past.
1t is no new thing in Chatham county
for the chairman to select the committee,
This was the rule for years and there
was rarely any complaint in those days
agaiust the decisions of the committee or
revolt against its authority. If the two
factions are in search of an easy solu-
ton of The present situation the selection
of Mr.. Cunningham, it is claimed, would
seem to furnish it. This could easily be
arranged by unanimous consent from both
sides and the rest would be easy
There is street talk to the effect that
some of the defeated candidates in the
recent primary will run as independents
in the regular election on the ground that
the free use of money in the primary vi
tiated the results. The rumors are to the
effect that Capt. John r. Dillon, tax
receiver, Coroner John Goette and Mr. Ed
ward J. Whelan sheriff of the City Court,
are considering this step and that they
will unite their forces for this purpose.
While these gentlemen may feel that they
have some reason TO be dissatisfied with
the recent primary it is doubted if they
will take any such step as that reported.
II is generally taken for granted that the
large majority of The voters who partici-
pated in the recent primary will support
the successful candidates in the regular
election and that even those who are dis
satisfied will simply express their
dissatisfaction by remaining away
from the polls. 1t has been
some years since there was an
independent ticket in the field in Chat
ham county and it is to be doubted if
such will be the case this year.
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