Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-14
WANT DAY PRIMARY.
Request from Reform League to
City Executive Committee.
In n Lengthy Communication Colonel O. a.
Nash Gives Good Government Leagues
Reason For Wanting to Nominate Coun-
cllmen In tho Day Instead of Night.


Dey's office, Colonel w. w. Sale pre-
siding, as Chairman Dey was late In
arriving. After the transaction OF I'M
important business the committee from
the City League for Good Government
was Invited to come into the room and
discuss with the committee the question
of g. primary for the selection of a
Council ticket. this being the object for
which the meeting was called.
The committee from the City League
for Good Government was composed of
and Mr.. George w. Church. Colonel
Nash stated that he would simply pre-
sent communication, which was self
explanatory, and he made the verbal
request that an answer to the COM
muncation be sent his committee by
to-day at noon.
There was some discussion OF the
matter between the gentlemen from the
Good Government League and MEM
bers OF the Executive Committee, after
which the former retired
The discussion following Indicated
that the committee would favor a night
primary. instead of one held in the day
time. The committee decided TO saw
to the gentlemen from the City League
49, N''oo llluL no aCtlOn
could be taken on so important a mat
ter In time to answer the request for
q day primary by the time requested.
Some of the members favored postpone
ment OF any action wha tever until after
the present primary.
Colonel Nash submitted the following
to the committee:
ITO the members of the City Executive
Committee:
I'm behalf of the City League for
Good Government n political organiza-
ton In this city, with membership of
l,O00 Democratic voters, we beg to sub
nit to You the following suggestions
and propositions concerning the manner
or making nominations for City Coun-
ellis for the May election:
Our first suggestion Is that these
nominations ought to be made in the
daytime. so that every member of the
party may have an opportunity to ex-
pres MS choice for the men to fill these
positions. If an all-day primary cleo
tion is necessary and proper for the
selection of candidates for Clerk OF the
courts. Treasurer City Collector and
Commissioner of Revenue, all of whom
are under heavy bonds for the faithful
performance Of their duties, II would
seem that 1t is even more necessary
and proper that. in the selection of
candidates for the City Councils, the
same care should be exercised and the
same opportunity permitted for a full
ana Tree expression Of the choice of the
party. In the one case the duties of
the men selected are little more than
clerical duties, and the interests of the
city are safeguarded by the bond and
surety required of them. In the other
case there is no control over the men
selected: the destiny of the city is
placed in their hands for two years;
the control and It's business and moral
status devolves upon them; they have
the right to select the successor OF any
member Of their body who dies or re-
signs before the expiration of his term
OF Office; the success of the public
school system depends upon their in
tegrity and intelligence; the amount of
money to be taken from the people in
the shape of taxes is left to their dis
erection; the manner of expendng this
money is determined by them, and
finally. upon the manner in which they
exercise the powers conferred upon
them. depends upon the reputation of
the Democratic party in the commu-
nifty. We submit. therefore, that there
is every reason why every Democratic
voter should have a full opportunity OF
expressing his choice for the men who
are to be elected to such responsible
| positions as that of Councilmen and we
| further submit that the holding of a
night primary Is absolutely prohbitory
| of such n free and full expression. A
| night primary can be held only be-
| tween the hours of p. m. and mid
| night, and 1t must close at midnight
| even though there are hundreds OF
voters present who have not had an
| opportunity of casting their ballots In
some of the election precincts OF the
| city there are as many as 900 registered
voters. Even If all OF these are bona
| fide voters, and the necessity of chal-
| lenges Is for that reason obviated, ii
would be necessary to vote 1870 an hour
| or three a minute. in order that all
might vote, and we say that it is lmpos-
sible to do this. But it, as 1t seems
to us to be the case, large proportion
of the names now on the registration
books are there wronGfully and fradu-
lently, much time will be consumed in
challenges. and every minute so con-
| sumed will serve to lessen the time left
to the bona fide voters.
1--WE do not need to be told that
There can be no day primary under the
special primary election law passed fol
this city but we beg to remind you that
the fourth line of the law makes it dis
cretionary with you to order or not to
order a primary election under its pro-
visions. Should you decide. rs you
have a clear right to do. not to order
such primary election, you will there
upon stand vested with all powers nee
essary to arrange the time. place and
manner of making nominations fol-
Councilmen. precisely as you would bt
if there were no such law on our sta
tutc books.
I'VE ask you. therefore. to exercise
this discretion by refusing to order &
primary election under this special law
since it can only be held under circum
stances which. while Offering ever.
premium to the dishonest voter, the re.
peater and coloniZer. must serve tc
hinder and DELAY all others in the ex.
ercise Of their rights.