Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-05-01
COMMITTEE MEETING.

TOkiAL NOmlNGbS AZ DE <A.>>~ -
DAY, MAY 6-swANsON MEN IN MA
CONTAMINATED DISCUSSION.
The meeting last night OF the city
democratic committee was breezy
throughout, and the Montague men
fought strenuously to avoid an early
primary. but the champions OF Mr..
Swanson were as equally determined
to get through with 1t as soon as pos
sible, and being 10 the majority carried
out their wishes. The primary will,
therefore, be held next Monday, the
polls to be opened at sunrise and closed
ut sunset.
The following were present: First
ward, Messrs. w. B. Dobie and J. M.
Hill, the latter being Mr.. James Will
kins's proxy; Second ward, Messrs. w.
Il. Desmond and Henry 6trausa, the
latter G.. e. Prices proxy; Third ward,
G. l.. Boothe and B. F. Penn; Fourth
ward, o. F. Carter and G. ]. w. Sum-
mers.
The meeting having been called to
order by Mr.. Carter. the chairman, Mr..
Dobie offered the following:
Resolved, That primary election be held
in this city on Monday Msy 6, 1901, from
o'clock m until 80 .. No., to determine
the choice OF the democrats OF this city for
nominee for Governor. All candidates for the
democratic nomination for Governor to be
voted for, the person receiving the largest
lumber of votes csst In tho entire city to
name the whole number Of delegates that this
city is entitled to in the State convention.
Be 1t further resolved, That tho regular
democratic judges be and are hereby request.
ed to serve without compensation, but shoald
any refuse to 90 do, or be unable to 30 do
for any reason, then the members OF the
committee in the ward In which the vacancy
may occur are authorised to ill the vacancy
by the appointment OF some other democrat.
Be 1t further resolved, That all known
democrats and such other white voters who
will pledge themselves to support the nomi-
nees Of tho democratic State convention, shall
be entitled to vote.
Mr.. Boothe took the floor and strenu-
ously opposed the adoption Of the reso
luton, alleging that it fixed too early q
date for the primary, as there was nc
time In which to hear from the respec-
tive candidates, who should be con-
suited as to their wishes 10 the matter.
| 10 short, there would be no time for the
| Montague men 10 make q canvass.
There would be four candidates to vote
for, and all should be given chance to
look after their interests. There was
no necessity, he said, for such an early
primary, from the fact that the conven.
| ton to nominate q candidate did not
meet until August. He moved that the
| election be- held on Tuesday. June 4.
The primary, he urged, should not be
held at least until the general election
| was out OF the way, which would be on
l the 23d of May.
Mr.. W. B. Smoot, who was present as
the representative of Mr.. Swanson, said
the resolution offered by Mr.. Dobie had
been prepared according to his wishes.
he had consulted Mr.. Swanson's friends
and they all with one accord wanted an
early primary In order that the matter
could be settled as soon as possible and
those interested could return to theil
several avocatioDs.
Mr.. Boothe earnestly contr0verteC
the arguments put forth by those favor
ing the resolution, and pronounced thu
movement to hold the early primary 81
| a high-handed procedure. The oonven
ton, he urged, is three and hal
months of, ard to give but five days In
which to prepare for primary election
was unheard of in the history Of the
committee. Such q course was moi
democratic, He wanted things done In
square and fair manner and In the
interests OF all. He favored Montague
and was free to announce that fact. He
would like 10 communicate with him Ii
order that his interests could be look cd
after. Others were In the same position
az himself. Mr.. Boothe said he had
never known the committee to do such
thing before, and he repeated that the
procedure on the part Of Mr.. Swanson's
friends was unfair to the other candi'
dates and their champions.
Mr.. Smoot said he was unaware thai
Mr.. Montague was opposed to an early
primary. He had arranged for one 10
Manchester on Thursday, May 8, only
two days later than that fixed by the
resolution.
Mr.. Boothe replied BY saying he had
no idea that the committee would bt
called together till after the genera
election.
Mr.. Summers thought May 6 rather
too early. The other side should show
some Difference to the friends of Mr..
Montague and concede something fol-
the sake OF harmony, as well as 10 jus.
tice to Mr.. Boothe's wishes.
Mr.. Strauss referred to Mr.. Shoots
statement concerning the early primary
in Manchester, and said 1t was but the
province OF the democratic committee
to order the primary when requested
to do 80. The request had been made
and the committee should act accord
ingly.
Mr.. Boothe still insisted that for
msny reasons the candidates should be
consulted. For instance, each had to
bear his portion of the expenses OF q
primary. He did not believe In max
ing thoss who conduct the primary
work for nothing; and, further, that the
polls should be open from sunrise till
sunset.
Mr.. Hill suggested that the candi.
dates for the gubernatorial nomination
had long ago picked out friends 10 every
place In the State. He saw no reason
for extending the time for the primary,
and moved the adoption Of Mr.. Dobie's
resolution.
Mr.. Boothe said lie wanted record
ed vote on the resolution.
Mr., Dobie-"I am perfectly willing
for my vote to 60 on record. l believe
the resolution makes 1t fair for ALL"
Mr.. Boothe-"It's not courtesy to the
candidates"