The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-12
LOSERS PROTESTED
COLLINS AND PARTRIDGE CLAIM
FRAUD IN PRIMARY.
LETTER NOT ACTED UPON
WAS ADDRESSED TO EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE.

Read When the Committee Met to
Announce the Result of Primary.
Protest Was in the Nature of n
Surprise-Hazy Condition of At
fairs when Committee Adjourned.
Some Did Not Think That Chair
man Alexander Had Formally De-
cIared Capt. McAIpin the Nominee.
MIR. j. Randolph Anderson, Repre-
senting Mr.. Hartridge, Raised the
Point and Talked of a Writ of
Mandamus Mr.. Collins Didn't
Think Ohicial Announcement Had
lIeen Made.
letter from Mr.. J. S. Collins and
Walter c. Hartridge, two of the
uel4 ated candidates for Ordinary at the
primary election held Thursday, asking
that the official declaration of the win
ner of the contest be delayed. was read
at the meeting of the Democrtic Exec
utive Committee Of Chatham county
yesterday. The ex-candidates stated
that, from information in their posses
sion, they had reason to believe money
had been used improperly by Capt.
Henry McAlpin, and asked for a rea-
sonable time to formulate the evidence
TO be presented TO the committee.
The letter was decided upon at a con-
ference held shortly before the meeting
of the Executive Committee, for the
purpose of officially declaring the win
Ter of the primary, but the news spread
rapidly that something was going to
harpen, and there was quite a gather
ing in the City Court room when the
meeting was called to order by Chair
man Alexander. The friends of Mr..
Collins and Mr.. Hartridge on the Exec
utive Committee were apprised of
what was going to happen, and were
asked to attend the meeting. Had it
rot been for the letter it is doubtful if
; quorum would have been present. AS
=. was there were only sixteen MEM
bels of the committee present, includ-
iEg the chairman.
Time to Get Evidence.
Chairman Alexander stated that the
meeting had been called under the rules
for the purpose of announcing the re-
suit of the primary. He stated that a
communication from Messrs. Collins
and Hartridge had been received and
read the following letter:
Savannah Ga, Oct II, 1901.-To the
Democratic Executive Committee of
Chatham county: We, the under
signed, who were candidates in the
primary election held yesterday in this
county for the office of ordinary, and
for whom a majority of the votes cast
in said primary were given by the vot-
ers of the county. respectfully urge
and request that your honorable body
will delay any action looking to the
official declaration of the result of said
primary until a reasonable opportunity
is given to secure and submit to your
committee evidence of the improper use
by Henry McAlpin of money to secure
votes in said primary, and that the
result obtained was secured corruptly
and illegally, and is therefore not bind
ing upon the organization or party.
I'VE, upon reports made to us,
charge that such was the case, and we
believe that If a reasonable time is
afforded ample and sufficient evidence
TO that effect will be secured and sub
mitted TO your body.
Jacob S. Collins,
Walter 9. Hartridge."
TwO-thirds Vote Required.
Mr.. Alexander announced in adj
vance that he would rule that it would
require a two-thirds vote of the entire
committee to grant the delay. Col
John Juchter brought up a contention
that has been made before by him
but which has never been voted on by
the committee, that seventeen and not
sixteen members constitute a two
thirds vote. The chairman said that
he would rule as he has in the past
that sixteen is a constitutional major
ity
Things We're getting a little hazy
about this time, and it was plain that
the friends of the defeated candidates
had no idea what was wanted of them
or what course to follow. Mr. Leo
pold desired to know if the letter was
in the nature of a protest, or If charges
had been made. 1t was read again and
the committeeman still remained ST.
lent. No one appeared ready to make
a motion of any sort. Mr.. Lawrence
suggested that the chairman read the
returns, and this was done by Mr..
Alexander. He read the returns from
each box, the recapitulation and the
certificate that he had attached, and
which had been sworn to before a no.
tary public.
Mr.. Lawrence's Motion.
immediately Mr.. Lawrence moved
an adjournment and many of those
present thought that it was part of a
scheme to adjourn without officially
declaring the result. The adjourn
ment motion was passed without op-
position and the several members of
the committee left the court room i'm
mediately. Then it was that the point
was raised that Capt. McAlpin had
not officially been declared the nomi-
nee of the party Mr.. j. Randolph
Anderson commended that this had not
been done and Chairman Alexander
said Then ] make the public declar-
alton now" Mr.. Anderson reminded
him that the committee was not in
session and animated discussions be-
tween those in the court room follow
ed. Mr.. Lawrence had already gone
and there We're some who still believed
that well directed plan had been put
In execution without a hitch.
Mr.. Anderson asked the chairman
not TO rule until he had given the mat
ter the proper consideration and stated
his intention of taking the matter to
the Superior Court on a writ of man.
damus II Chairman Alexander should
rule that he had publicly declared the
result OF the primary Mr.. Anderson
notified the newspaper reporters that
they would be called upon to furnish
afiidavits Of exactly what had trans
pred. The argument was continued