Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-19

regard to past political affiliations, who
desire to align themselves with the Demo-
cratic party, and who will, IL their right
to participate in said primary be chal-
lenged. pledge themselves to support the
nominee of the Democratic party, are
hereby declared 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 nomi-
nee Of the Democratic party who was 10
be voted for at the primary OF June 5th,
the purpose being TO bring all white vot-
ers in line. Now. what are the facts in
the case? Voters, whom II was supposed
were favorable to the candidacy OF Mr..
Guerry and myself, were required to
promise TO vote the Democratic ticket at
all future state. and national elections.
This meant that a man would break his
word IL ne hereafter voted any other tick
ct but the Democratic ticket in every flu
ture electionl Voters who had heretofore
voted the Populist or Republican ticket
suit was that they were not permitted to
vote. This was another palpable viola
ton OF the rules.
1 am daily in receipt OF letters from
many counties mentioned in my letter Of
the 18th TO Chairman Brown. calling at
tention to fatal Irregularities In the pri-
mary election. and Indignantly protesting
again at 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 writ
ing about 1t. to Pull the thing wide
open"
II is not necessary to go into the argu-
ment any further. I think the letter OF
Hon. E. 7. Brown, chairman OF the state
Democratic committee. proves that there
were irregularities Immediately before
the primaries, and he acknowledged that
he saw no way OF stopping them, there
fore, they went on.
Now. as to Mr.. Terrell's 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" I beg to say
that / am always a Democrat, and don't
propose to kick out of the party lines, but
I am a Democrat who believes in fair
play. and do not intend that the people
of Georgia shall remain uniformed as to
the fragrant violation of rules in this pri-
mary. II Mr.. Terrell is nominated Isw1ll
march In his procession, but II will be be-
cause I am a Democrat, and not because
1 believe that there was square deal.
Had the election been conducted fairly,
as Chairman Brown evidently intended II
should have been, there would have been
no cause for complaint. In fact. I am not
complaining now, but I am one Of those
who believe that the white primary in
Georgia is the cornerstone of white su-
premacy in Georgia. II 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 fits integrity
the purity of this method Of selecting can
didates. The candidates themselves. should
be the first, when any Irregularities are
charged, 10 demand an investigation, and
above all men the successful candidate in
the primary should be prompt to welcome
a thorough and sitting investigation
where charges of irregularities are
brought to his knowledge. Your fellow
citizen and well wisher.
J. H. ESTILL.