The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-07
PLAN FOR SENATORIAL PRIMARY

The first paper in the State to sug-
gest the holding of senatorial pri-
mary was the Roanoke Chowan
Times. 1t has met with general IA
vor, many counties have instructed
their delegates to vote for it, and the
outlook now is that the State conven-
ton to be held next week will order 1T.
In view of the Importance of the mat
ter, we give below this weeks editor
ial in full from the Chowan-Roanoke
Times:
"The State convention is now close
upon us and it will be necessary for the
friends and advocates OF primary cleo
tion for the selection of the Democratic
candidate for the United States Senate
to go to the convention with definite
plan for holding them.
THE Times was the first paper in the
State to make definite suggestion that
the State convention order such prl-
mary on the same day and at the same
times and places as the election is held
for Presidential electors and members of
Congress. Our editorial on this subject
was copied in many of the leading papers
discussed with the result that our sug-
gestion has met with general approval.
All the candidates for the Senatorship en-
dorse it. In this connection it is but
fair to state that in 1894, in a letter to
Chairman Simmons Ex-Governor Jarvis
advocated the nomination of Senators by
primary election
believing that the advocates Of the
primary system should go to the State
convention with some definite plan, the
Times suggests one. We submit it with
the hope that it will be considered by the
friends of the primary before the meet
ing of the State convention next week,
and the plan improved upon. The sub
ject will certainly come up for consider
alton if the writer has to introduce it
himself
1--WE suggest the following:
PLAN.
North Carolina, do enact:
Section L. That an election shall b.
held at, the several election precincts, On
the day, and at the times and places APP
pointed by law for the election of Pres
idential electors and members OF Con-
gress, for the nomination of Democratic
candidate fer United States Senator at
which. every Democratic voter, after he
shall have voted that day for the DEM
ocratic candidates for electors and for
members OF Congress, shall be allowed to
cast one ballot for one man for United
States Senator.
Sec. g. That it shall be the duty OF
the several County Executive Committees.
acting under such rules and regulations
,.y,Nift too 1ax,
prescribe. to provide the ballot boxes,
appoint the poll holders and do all things
else necessary to holding and conducting
such primary election in fair and order
ly manner.
Sec g. That the returns from the pre-
cincts in each county shall be made to
the Chairman Of the County Executive
Committee and at such time and in such
manner as may be designated by the
State Committee, open count and publish
the result of such election in his county,
and he shall also make return of such
election to the State Executive Commit
tee.
Sec. 4. That it is hereby made the
duty OF the State Executive Committee.
at such time and place as they may Sc
lect to open and count such returns and
publish the result in such newspapers as
they may decide upon and shall designate
the person VINO has received the highest
number of votes cast, and such person
shall be the Democratic candidate for the
Senate, entitled to receive and should
receive the vote of every Democratic
member of the General Assembly.
Sec. 5. 1t is also made the duty of the
State Executive Committee to make al,
needful rule and regulations for opens
ing. holding, conducting and ascertaining
and declaring the result of this primary
election, and they are hereby specially
charged with the duty of seeing that
such elections are held at every precinct
in the State.
1t would be wise for the leaders of
the party to be considering the details
of the plan suggested by the Times.
1t seems to us to be very nearly per-
feet.
Friendship bought with money isn't