The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-02
As ro KEEPING UP rx1 1Ans.

AS yO R1BR4M0 Ux I'll 0A0D.
 The question of a primary Tor selecting Democratic candidates in this Dtate has been very generally discussed In the last few W seks. So far as the newspapers are concerned. an overwhelming majority of them favor strict Democratic pri- mary, excluding from participation those who are adhercnts and members of other parties. Some which uniformly opposed the efforts to secure new Constitution, and which fought It's ratification after it had been ag.ved on by the Convention. inter jected the idea of white primary. without any reference to party predilec- tions. The Mobile Register was staunch friend of the movement for a convention. and an able advocate of the ratification of the Constitution, but it has fallen in with those who advocate white. as dis tinguished from a Democratic white pri- mary. Tn its efforts to answer The Ad- vertiser's contention that the present State Committee put up the bars In 1901. The Register shuts its eyes to plain facts. It's latest article on the subject is on this pHkc ot tOuAyS S AuNtfuSot- ~ 1Ss~o N'---' question, Does fhe Advertiser contend that by virtue of the resolution of 1901. and without any further action of the Committee, all persons are barred from participation in Democratic primaries in this State who did not support all and each of the nominees of the party in 1sOog' Here is the exact language of the Committee adopted at a meeting held June s. 1900:
 Whereas. all issues which have hereto fore divided the Democratic Party in Ala bama have been settled.
 Whereas, the Democratic voters are now united on all the principal policies of the Party, and none but disorganizers and disruptionists car now refuse to support the principles and candidates of the Party; and,
 Whereas, this Committee has many times extended to all white voters who | believe in the principles and will support the nominees of the Democratic Party an 1 invitation to participate in our prima- | ries; and,
 | Whereas this invitation has been many times abused by persons who have pafti- l cipated in our primaries and afterwards | voted against and opposed the nominees. therefore be 1t
 Resolved, That no person who fails to support each and all nominees of the
 Democratic Party. both State and County. In the coming August election, shall be
 allowed to vote or participate in the nomination of Congressmen In any Dis
 trict in the State: and,
 Resolved. second. That only those white
 voters who support all and each of the
 nominees, having an opportunity to do 30, 1 frx@ CfaAn ..nAx, AA AAru T4nra
 shall be allowed to participate in tho
 primaries held by the Democratic Party.
 This iS plain enough to satisfy the most
 skepticAl. It does not. however. complete the record. In 1900 it seems that In somt
 localities candidates for local offices 1T
 opposition to Democratic nominees re.
 ceived the support of many Democrats
 and when the question of selecting can
 didate for the Constitutional Convention came up the above resolutions confronted
 them. It was sought to modify the tws
 resolutions above quoted so as to allow
 of their participation in the primaries.
 meeting of the Committee was held oi
 the 14th of January, 1901 and after mucl
 discussion. the following resolutions wer
 adopted:
 Resolved, That the call for a convention to revise and amend tbe Constitution o Alabama having heretofore heen fully an, } emphatically endorsed by the Democrac, i, of the State. that the Democratic Execu tive Committee of the State of Alabam, : hereby commend the measure to the peo pie of Alabama; give to 1t our most earn 5 est endorsement and approval. and cal
 upon all members of the Party to rende : to this measure most hearty and en thusiastic support That the qualificatiol !. of voters in all the primary elections am 3 beat meetings shall be the same as thos
 heretofore fixed by this Committee am
 no persons shall be allowed to vote Il said primary election and beat meeting who are not thereby qualified.
 That is the last action of the Commit tee. and unless revoked by the Commit : tee. would be binding in primary cleo
 tions for the selection of Democratic can
 didates.