The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-12
SINGLE PRIMARY SUFFICIENT.
CHAIRMAN CHARLTON VIEWS ONE
PRIMARY PLAN WITH FAVOR.

didates should Not lie Named ut
the Primary on May 15-Has Not
Discussed This With fhe Members
of the Committee, HOweVe--Ques-
ton of Including County Officers
in the Primary Likely TO he
Brought Before the Committee.
This Might COmpIicate Things for
the Politicians Primary Ticket
viii BE Long One Anyway.
The meetings of the two political clubs
Tuesday night have given the campaign
good start. and meetings will be frequent
hereafter. Both clubs will probably have
general rallies next week. The Citizens
Club leaders will probably arrange for
general meeting Friday night week. The
Consolidated Southslde Osborne Club vii
hold a meeting tomorrow night al its hall
at Whitaker and Second streets, and ef-
forts to more thoroughly organize the
Fourth district in the interest of the Cit
liens are also to he made shortly. The
Fourth District Liberal Club win meet
again Tuesday night.
The question as to what matters shall
be disposed of at the coming primary is
ginning to crystalize in favor of settling
al the pending Issues on May Is. The
only question of this kind which remains
in doubt is as TO the county officers,
whether they should be selected in the
coming primary, or whether a primary
should be called later for this purpose.
Heretofore the county offices have been
fought for at the fall elections. but the
opinion on both sides seems to be that
ii is time that this matter was taken hold
of by the Executive Committee.
The argument offered in favor of this
step is that by bringing the county officers
into the approac ching primary all the polit-
teal questions now agitating the people OF
the county, or which would be the cause
of agitation for months to come, would be
disposed of at one primary and the people
would be insured a rest from political agi-
tation. Besides, 1t would do away with
the unpleasant and expensive scramble
that has usually characterized the county
elections for a number of years past.
Should this plan be decided upon IT
would cause some complications and would
doubtless interfere somewhat with che
plans of the politicians. Candidates have
been unusually backward in coming for
ward this year, and the leaders on both
sides would be put on their mettle to get
up SATISFACTORY IlckGlS which WOULD r.
ceive the support of their followers as
well, which looks to the character Of the
candidates rather than TO their political
views. 1t would also complcate the solc-
korship race somewhat, by bringing in is
sues which would tend to distract the at
tention of the voters from the leading
event.
With the possible exception Of the coun-
ty officers the indications are that the
Executive Committee will decide that all
the candidates for the ensuing state cleo
ton shall be selected at the primary on
May 10. Several members Of the Execu-
tive Committee have expressed themselves
to this effect. and the indications are that
this view will prevail. Hon. Walter G.
Charlton, chairman of the Executive Com
mittee said yesterday, that this was his
view of the matter. though he had not
discussed the question with members Of
the committee.
81 will call the committee together the
latter part of this month" said Mr.. Char-
ton. ''and these matters win then be pass
ed upon. For my part ! ON in favor of
settling the entire matter at one primary.
| see no reason why the candidates for
solicitor general, state senator. represen-
satives and other offices to be filed, should
not all be selected at one primary. \
second primary would simply mean further
political agitation"
would the new Executive Committee
be selected at this primary" Mr.. Charl-
ton was asked.
81 suppose so" he replied. THAT ques-
ton had not occurred to me. The EXecu-
tive Committee will have to pass upon
that"
How about county officers. Do you
favor selecting them at the primary
also?" the chairman was asked.
Personally 1 see no reason why this
should nos be done,' Mr.. Charlton replied,
stFThis- &c or
of the Executive Committee, however. If
a public sentiment develops in favor of
selecting the county officers at this time
the Executive Committee will doubtless
provide for their inclusion in the pri-
mary"
Congressional delegates might also be
selected az the primary, Mr. Charlton
said in order to save the necessity of
another primary. There is one question
to come up at the primary, however, in
which Mr. Charlton disapproves of the ac-
ton of the State Executive Committee
He does not favor the expression of a
choice for United States senator at the
primary. He does not believe that the
members of the Legislature, upon which
the duty of selecting the senator will
devolve. should be hampered in
this manner. The responsibility for the
selection of senator rests upon them, he
holds, and they should be left free to act
according to their judgment.
Should the Executive Committee decide
upon one general primary for the selection
of candidates for all the states and county
Offices, as well as the new Executive Com
mittee, the result would be that the
ticket to be used at the primary would be
quite lengthy, With the delegates to the
State, Senatorial and Congressional Con-
ventions. the three representatives and the
twenty-five executive committeeman,
there would be between forty and fifty
names on each ticket and 1t is easy to see
how opportunities for trading might be
Rvailed Of. Should the contest for county
officers be injected into the primary, the
situation would be still further compli-
Gated.
With the primary a little more than a
month off. IL would seem to be about
time that the two factions were trottinG
out their candidates. Wiling aspirants
for legislative honors seem TO be scarce
this year and the indications are that the
selections Of the tickets will be left to the
leaders Of the two factions.
MAY DISCUSS THE BUDGET.