The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-10
SENATORIAL PRIMARY PLAN.

There seems to be general ac-
ouiescence in the Senatorial PRIMARY.
There is wide difference in the
method of holding it and the elISlbiil-
tv of voters to participate in it. we
published few days ago plan sug-
rested by the Roanoke-Chowan Times |
which was an admirable one
in most respects. There has
heen but one criticism upon that
plan. to-wit, that it made the test
of voting in the senatorial primary
support of the Democratic candidate
for Congress and. the Democratic cleo
toral ticket. thereby making it posi-
BILE for ,Populists, Silver Republicans
and others, who vote against the
amendment and the State ticket 10
participate in the selection of Sena-
tor while denying such participation
10 gold Democrats, Republicans, Pop
ulists and others who would vote
with the Democrats in the August,
but not in the November elections.
Another suggestion as to who shall
be entitled to vote has been made by
lists. gold Democrats and Republicans
who vote with us in August, but to
exclude those who vote with us in
November. 1t is argued that, as leg
islators must do the actual voting by
which the Senator is chosen, the test
ought to be that everybody who votes
for Democratic legislator ought to
he entitled to vote in the Senatorial
primary. This contention is not sound
because the senatorial primary takes
out of the hands the legislators any
potential voice in the selection of Sen
ators. and makes them mere agents
for recording the will of the voters. a
legislator, after a senatorial primary,
is to the party what a presidential
elector is after the election. The
eIector in fact has the absolute right
10 vote for whoever he plcases for
President, but in practice he is mere
machine. The idea of choosing Sena-
tors in primary or by popular vote
is TO make the legislator III voting for
Senator a mere agent as the elector
is under the present actual workings.
In the early days of the Republican
elector voted his personal choice for
ha
the voters. The senatorial primary is
designed to take from the legislators
the selection Of a Senator and put it
in the hands of all the voters in the
party. AS a plan, for the considera-
ton of the Democratic convention
which meets tomorrow. we present the
following:
The Democrats of North Carolina in
State convention assembled do enact:
Section l. That an election shall be
held at the several election precincts,
in this State, on the same day in No
vember, 1900, and at the same hours and
places appointed by law for the election
of electors for President and Vice-Presf-
dent and members of the House of Rep
resentatives for the nomination Of a DEM
ocratic candidate for United States SEN
ator at which every Democratic voter, af
ter he shall have voted that day for the
Democratic candidates for electors and
for Congress- and have voted in the
August election for the Constitutional
Amendment and for all Democratic candi-
dates from constable to Governor, shall
he entitled to cast one ballot for one
man for United States Senator: Provided,
however, that any person who shall be-
come of age or otherwise qualified to vote
after the August election shall be allowed
TO vote in said primary if he shall on
that day have voted for the Democratic
nominees for Congress and presidential
electors.
Sec. >. That every person shall be
deemed a qualified elector and entitled
to vote. who shall have voted for the
Democratic candidates for electors and for
the House of Representatives who are
the candidates recognized by the State
committee as the regular Democratic can
didates for electors and for Congress, fer
the Constitutional Amendment, and all
regular Democratic candidates for State,
county and township officers.
Sec. g. That there shall be arranged
and placed at convenient point near the
regular places of voting on said day a
ballot box which shall be accessible to all
persons qualified to vote therein during |