The Savannah morning news., 1902-06-16

lore the election, doubtless too late
70 unuo what had been done in Cobb
county. The circulars and tickets had
already been distributed throughout
the county.
NOW as to the tickets distributed
In Banks and other counties with the
names OF the three gubernatorial
cahdldates printed thereon and then
WIN blank, or celebrating line.
printed through Estill and Guerry's
names, 1t cannot be denied that thew
violated the rules
These Terrell tickets were a viola
tlon of the rules already quoted. name
~ mat the names of all candidates
should appear on all ballots. The rule
does not mean that the names could
De printed out by the party distribute
ing them, but that they must be
stricken out by the voter.
sent out 10000 ballots, and Mr..
Terrell and Mr.. Guerry's name was
printed in large type, the same as
mime upon every one of them, and
tnere was no rule or celebrating line
printed through their names.
Now, as to another violation of the
rules. Rule 10 says, that ut is fur
ther ordered, that all white voters,
without regard to past political affili-
atoms, who desire to align themselves
with the Democratic party, and who
VIII, If their right to participate in
said primary be challenged, pledge
themselves to support the nominee of
the Democratic party are hereby de-
clared entitled to vote therein, and
are cordially invited to do So
1t Was understood that this rule
was to apply only as to supporting the
nominee of the Democratic party who
was to be voted for at the primary of
June 5, the purpose being to bring all
white voters in line. Now, what are
the facts in the case? Voters, whom
1t was supposed were favorab BILE, to the
candidacy of Mr.. Query and myself,
were required to promise to vote the
Democratic ticket at all future state
and national elections. This meant
that man would break his word if
hereafter he voted any other ticket but
the Democratic ticket in every future
election. Voters who had heretofore
voted the Populist or Republican ticket
refused to make this promise, and the
result was that they were not permit
ted to vote. This was another palpable
violation of the rules.
l am daily in receipt of letters from
many counties mentioned in my letter
of the 18th to Chairman Brown calling
attention to fatal Irregularities in the
testing against tamely submitting to
being counted out. There can be no
doubt about the fact that the people
want this matter investigated and are
disposed, as one of my correspondents
says in writing about it, to pull the
thing wide Open"
1t is not necessary to go into the ar
gument any further. l think the letter
of Hon. E. T. Brown, chairman of the
TO- t.
tee, proves that there were irregulari-
ties Immediately before the primaries,
and he acknowledged that he saw no
way of stopping them, therefore they
went on.
Now, as to Mr.. Terrells suggestion
that his opponents, Mr.. Query and
myself, should lead the procession in
accepting the result" that is, that we
should all "hurrah for Mr.. Terrell"
beg to say that 1 am al
ways a Democrat, and don't
propose to kick out of the party
lines, but 1 am a Democrat who be-
lieves in fair play, and ! do not intend
that the people of Georgia shall re-
main uniformed as to the fragrant
violation of rules in this primary. If
Mr.. Terrell is nominated, | will march
in his procession but it will be be-
cause 1 am a Democrat, and not be-
cause l believe that there was
square deal.
Had the election been conducted
fairly, as Chairman Brown. evidently
intended it should have been, there
would have been no cause for COM
plant. In fact, 1 am not complaining
now, but I am one of those who be-
lieve that the white primary in Geor
gia is the cornerstone of white suprem-
acy in Georgia. If doubts are cast
upon the purity of the Democratic pri-
mary. it will fall into disrepute with
the people. 1t is, therefore, the duty
of every Democrat to preserve in all
its integrity the purity of this method
of selecting candidates. The candi-
dates themselves should be the first,
when any Irregularities are charged, to
demand an investigation, and above all
men the successful candidate in, the
primary should be prompt to welcome
thorough and Sitting investigation
where charges of Irregularities are
brought to his knowledge. Your fell
low citizen and well wisher,
j. H. ESTILL.