The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-08-13
CHAIRMAN LOWE TALKS
DISCUSSES COMING MEETING OF
COMMITTEE.
Says It Has Been Called Together in
the Interest of No Candidate
and No Faction-Birming-
ham News.

Birmingham, Aug. 12.-(Special.)-Chair-
man Robert j. Lowe, of the State Demo-
cratic Executive Committee, in comment
ing on the calling of the committee to-
gether for Thursday at noon, in order to
consider the action of the Committees in
Marshal and ST. Clair Counties, who have
taken a different course in the primaries
proposed for the 18th than Intended by the
State Committee. in that they practically
let down the bars entirely, today gave
out another interview, saying he had no
alternative, as the election will take place
in less than two weeks and the matter
cannot go as it is now. He asserts that
the call is not in the interest of any
candidate or any cause. In full his inter
view today was as follows:
THE call is not issued at the dictation
of or in the interest of any candidate for
any office. / had but one purpose 10 sub
serve. and that is to discharge faithfully
the duty imposed upon me as Chairman
of the State Executive Committee, name
ly, TO see that the plan as adopted by the
State Executive Committee should be
carried out in its integrity throughout the
state.
Before the action of the Committee
some contended for a general white pri-
mary, others for white Democratic pri-
mary. Some WlSnlnS all Milltt itCl " It
allowed to participate, others contending
that only white Democrats should be al
lowed to participate. in the primary. The
latter, however, prevailed. and the Com
mittee. in fixing the qualifications of par
Elephants in the primary said that only
white Democrats should be allowed to
participate therein.
Now. certain counties have ignored the
action of the State Committee and have
fixed the qual7ation OF voters upon a
different basis than that adopted by the
State Committee
THE State Committee did not provide
for County primaries nor in anywise in
terfere with the action of the County
Committees in purely County matters.
Il was without authority to deal with
this condition and therefore it appeared
to me that there was but one fair course
to pursue, and that was to call the State
Committee together,
ut seems to me that I would have been
derelict had failed to do as l have dom.
The necessity for uniform qualification
for voters in a State primary is pecf Il
ly apparent. County lines should make
no difference
II thought it would be ill-advised to
wait until after the primary election had
been held. and probable contest had
arisen before giving the committee an
opportunity 10 pass upon these condi-
lions
at is not improbable that the votes
which would have been cast by men who
are not qualified TO vote under the quail
licatons as prescribed by the State Com
mittee. might determine the result. In
such an event it is easy to see that dis
cord and dissensiOn would arise to such
an extent that the success of the party
in November would be endangered,
II still hopa and believe that it will not
be necessary for the Committee to resort
to the exercise of any unusual power. l
shall not undertake to dictate or to fore
cast the action of the Committee. but
shall be content to carry out its provis-
ions.
II think tn, Democrats in Marshal and
every other County ought to have the
right toi vote under rules so plain that
under no possible pretext could their