Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-02-28
WHY TWO PRIMARIES

C0mmlttee at HIS neetlug luesuay declined to order in connection With the county primary set for March 14 vote to be taken on the sSena- torship, and also for State officers, but declared for anotter primary to be held at subsequent date for the selection of a United States Senator, a Congressman and State officers.
 Thus the voters of Jefferson eoun- ty are again called on to attend two primaries instead of one, and thus we are to have continuous perform aoce Of politicians with the atten- dant bickefings and dissensious attendant upon prolonged cam paigns.
 Why two primaries again this year? Are the voters and the peo- pie not already sufficiently surfeited with politics and politicians to make the primaries of March II final and conclusive?
 1t was argued during the commit tee meeting that the State, Con- gressional and Sena torlal candidates have not bad sufficient time to can vass the county and present their claims before the March primaries. but tIis argument does not possess much force for the reason that the adjoining counties of Desha and Lin coin have ordered both State and county primaries for March IA. and it will be observed that the State candidates have found plenty of time in which to conduct campaigns in the aforesaid count ties. Two primaries were not requested by the State candidates, nor desired by the voters who do not practice politics fer living. On the other hand, the supporters of several State can-' didates and a majority of the voters of the county desired that. only one primary be held, and that the peo- pie not be taken from their places of business or their homes for second one.
 l If March IA was too early for a vote on State and Congressional candidates, then why were any pri- maries called at all for that date. If it were too early for the selection of State candidates, then why were the county primaries not also post poned to a more. seasonable period at which time the Democratic cleo : tors of the county could vote on all candidates and be done with it.
 This was evidently not done be cause it was not believed to be in the interest of the ring that at present dominates and disgraces the Democracy of the county. It was believed by this crowd of ring ste-s that snap primary, would be in the interest of certain barnacles that have been a blister on the body polite in Jefferson county from time immemorial, aud men who have feasted and fattened and drunk and debauched in office at every turn of the political tide, by fair means or foul, and under either a compromise or straight ticket policy.
 There is still another reason. By snap primaries it was hoped 10 forestall opposition and perpetuate ] in office some of the rirg gang who have robbed the country in the past aud the people alike. |. is also hoped by this ring gang of freebooters that by holding a sec. ond primary for the selection of State officers they can so manipu- late the said primary as to carry the county for Dan Jones aud Jeff Davis, who have assisted some of the local gang in their dirty and despica5le work in the past, and whose future favor they seek.
 These things should be known to all men so that when the time comes in the primaries on March 14 tbe electors can vote intelligently and with all the lights before tAem.
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