The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-09

dispute between its members as to the
right to vote was first taken up. Il was
objected by Mr.. Collins, that IT did not
provide for absolute fair play. inasmuch
as il still left two partisan supporters Of
Mr. Hartridge on the Purging Commit
tee to one of Mr.. Osborne, Messrs. VIII
link and Sullivan opposed to Mr.. Lef-
fer.
In answer to this IL was pointed out
that the Purging Committee could take
no action at all without complaint made.
and that Mr.. Cunningham was in reality
vested with all the power. By his ap-
pointment and the powers vested in him
the powers of the Purging Committee
were virtually destroyed.
1t was then objected that Messrs. Will
ink and Sullivan together could better
present their arguments TO Mr.. Cunning
ham than could Mr.. LETTER, alone, present
his. II was said, in answer to this, that
Mr.. Cunningham was expected TO be at the
hearing and that his decision would be
matter Of fact and not of argument
Then why, asked Mr.. Letter, refuse
to allow US equal representation on the
committeeT'
Because" answered Mr.. LaRoche. the
majority of the committee does not intend
TO be forced 10 act under the whip of the
minority. We have given you the sub
stance of what you asked. 1t is everyth ng
you have a right either to demand or cx-
pect."
There was much further discussion. but
it developed no further objections to or
arguments in favor of the section Of the
resolutions. They were finally put and car
ried by the party vote, fourteen TO eight.
The discussion was eniivened by Mr.. Will
link rising TO a question Of personal privi-
lege, In answer to a suggestion from Mr..
Lamotte that the matter would be simpli-
49,.
from the Purging Committee.
''since the committee was appointed" he
said, "a constant fight had been made on
me. It has been renewed tonight by Mr..
Lamotte, and / am tired of IL. / defy any
man to say that any act of my political
life has been in any way dishonorable. If
any man says / would do anything unfair
in purging this list, he says what is not
true"
The Second Section was then taken
up. 1t had reference to the repeal of
Clause IS of the resolutions adopted April
81 of which in turn provided for viola
lions of the primary rules being reported
to the Executive Committee. The repeal
ing clause was passed without trouble.
The Third Section had reference to the
establishment of an additional ballot box,
making three in all, in the Fourth dis
trict and was likewise passed without d.
vision.
Then came the consideration of the Fifth
Section of the amending resolutions. Mr..
Collins made the first speech of opposition
at is the same old resolution in new
guise, Mr.. Chairman" he said. after
all is said IL still provides for two man.
ayers to one at some Of the boxes and II
would not be equal. It would not be fair
On this subject the straw that has re-
Gently been threshed over so often, and
so thoroughly was gone over again. Mr..
und
vide that there be one manager or two
managers from each faction at each box,
end that such a solution would commend
itself to the community as being entirely
fair. kAil the candidates for office, he
said would be required to vacate the
fence, and get on one side or the other.
They would not be permitted 20 remain
neutral any longer.
II should like to ask the gentleman"
inIerposed Committeeman Power, '1f he
expects to vote the straight Citizens Club
s.cket?"
MIR. Leopold does not have to answer
that question" said the chairman. mo
man is required to incriminate himself"
More argument and discussion followed
this temporary departure from the sub
5ect. In answer to queries from members
of the minority, Mr.. LaRoche stated 1t
was his understanding of the section, con-
strued in reference to the section of the
minority members of the committee would
be entitled to select the boxes at which
they would assist to preside, and
that in case any of them were unable
to serve or declined to serve that they
would be allowed to appoint their sue
cessors. In this case the committee would
doubtless take pleasure in confirming
some of the gentlemen whose names had
already been read by Col Dixon. The
facts that there were nine members of
the minority would give Y a manager at
each box and the resolution provided fur
Their for the appointment OF a clerk for
each faction at each box. The selection
of a referee, to whom all questions must
be submitted, would take away the pow
er of the majority of the committee, as
well Jas the power Of the majority mana
gers. when there was majority of man.
ayers, at any of the boxes.
The chairman stated that the resolutions
contained a provision providing for his
acting as referee at the election, but that
he would not act unaess he could do so
without objection made or felt by any
member of the committee. Mr.. Collins
stated that In view OF the fact that a con-
nection Of Col. Meldrim had been an
nounced as a candidate for one OF the
offices TO be voted for at the primary, he
was forced TO and did object. He did not
think that under the circumstances the
chairman ought to serve.
Col. MeldFim promptly announced that
In this view of the case he would not
serve. Mr.. j. F.. Sullivan moved that the
he oh oo n