The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-30
RULES AGREED UPON
AND THEY APPEAR PERFECTLY
FAIR TO CANDIDATES.
PRIMARY PLAN A GO,
PARTRIDGE INSISTS ON ANTI-CoR-
RUPTION CLAUSE.

of n Problem SO DtfncuIt-Harmony
Prevailed and Vote buying cues
ton Was Only Discussed InfOr-
maIly-Each Candidate Will Have
n Manager and "A Clerk-PolIs VIII
Run on City Time and Mr.. AleNan-
der Will Be Referee-Mr. Hartridgc
Will Ask Executive Committee to
Show Its Hands on the Question OF
Using Money.
With harmony as their watchword
the five members of the Democratic
County Executive Committee named to
secure rules for the primary on Oct.
10. met yesterday, and agreed upon
rules that will probably govern the
election.
The special committee was made up
of A. A. Lawrence, chairman; w. P.
LaRoche, Thomas Hussey. George M.
Petronovitch and Richard Wickham,
and was in session over an hour. The
rules themselves were agreed upon
without any delay or difficulty and the
remainder of the time was spent in
discussing the question of a remedy
for vote buying. The subject was gone
into fully by the committeeman, who
are well versed in the game of politics.
Because Of this very reason no plan
was suggested that might effectually
PUT stop to that form of political cor
ruption. The committee was not re-
quested by any of the candidates to fig
ure on that line, and realiz-
ing that such consideration volunteer
ed, would be so much time wasted, the
matter was not brought up until the
members of the special committee had
completed their task of framing salts
factory rules.
The meeting was private, and the
members of the committee would not
give out the rules that they so readily
agreed upon as being fair and impair
tial. 1t was decided, however, that
each candidate should have one mana
ger and one clerk. Mr.. Lazaron's sug-
gestion that the number be increased
to two was passed over as impracti-
cable, and the suggestion was hardly
noticed. 1t was agreed that in the
event Of disputes between managers
Acting Chairman Alexander of the Ex-
ecutive Committee will act as referee,
and in his absence some member of the
committee to be selected by that body.
Mr.. Lazaron's suggestion that there be
three members of the committee to act
as a board of judges to settle all diff
ferenees was not considered.
1t was agreed that all of the candi-
dates must file their intention of en-
tering the race several days before the
date set for the election. At that time
each candidate must also hand to the
chairman a sum sufficient to pay for
the printing of his tickets and for the
services of his manager and clerk.
Under the rules formulated by the sub
committee the polls will open at z
a. m. and close at p. m, city time.
The rules were put in proper shape
and will be submitted to the Executive
Committee with the approval of each
member of the special committee. Mr..
w. P. LaRoche. who is representing
and acting for Capt. McAlpin, was
pleased with the ease in which the
rules were agreed upon, and said that
he could see no reason for any can
didate Directing to enter into the pri-
mary. Acting Chairman Alexander
will be officially notified to-day of the
result of the meeting of the sub-com-
mittee. He. said last night that he
has given the matter of calling the
Executive Committee, together no
thought, and is unable to state when
the meeting will be held. 1t is prob
able, however, that it will be called
for next week, and at that time the
rules will be ratified.
This, however, will not be done with
out some discussion. The subjects
touched in the special report are equit-
able enough. but some of the candi-
dates are anxious that there be some
additions. Mr.. Walter c. Hartridge
viii address a letter TO the committee
asking that something be done to pre-
vent the illgal spending of money by
the candidates. He is satisfied that
rules can be adopted that will at least
make the unwarranted use of money
more difficult, and with that idea in
view the communication TO the COM
mittee will be sent forward. This will
unquestionably precipitate lively dis
cussion and make the meeting one of
more than passing interest. Mr.. Hart
ridge is very much in earnest about
the anti-corruption clause in the rules,
and Mr.. KeilbSch says that he is with
Mr.. Hartridge on that line.
The committee will probably be ask
ed to adopt the rule in vogue in At
ldnId. lnlS DTONlQGS lUdl before D6lDS
awarded a certificate of election, the
successful candidate must take an oath
that no workers were employed or
money paid out in any but a perfectly
legitimate way. Those who have given
the matter much thought claim that
such a rule can have no possible eff
feet, and say that it has been a failure
in Atlanta. 1t is not at all likely that
IT will be tried here. The candidates
who are unalterably opposed to the
lavish expenditure of money declare
that whether or not such a rule is
adopted they will use every effort to
prevent the improper use of money.
The fact that such a rule is not pass
ed will not. however, keep them out of
the primary.
Mr.. w. B. Stubs, a prospective can
didate for ordinary, held a conference
with Chairman Lawrence while the
special committee was in session. Mr..
Stubs, however. did not care to dis
cuss the subject. He stated that the
rules agreed upon by the committee
are fair enough as far as they GO Mr.
Stubs did not say what additions he
considers proper, but IL is known that
he favors the embodying of a para
graph that will touch the subject of
vote buying. II was stated on the
streets by persons who claim to know,
that Mr.. Stubs will be a candidate
for the office. He will not discuss the
subject until the Executive Committee