The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-25
A-srArE PRIMARY.

The question of a State primary is one that will have to be considered by the Democrats of Alabama, and this is as good a time as any other to take it up. For several years past there has been but little interest manifested in elections. either local primaries or general elec- tions. Under the new constitution there must be absolutely fair elections and re- turns or the jails will hold perpetrators of fraud. With the great shadow or black suffrage removed, there is no ex- cuse for ballot box manipulation. In many counties in Alabama in the past ten years the negroes have been the dominating factors. The side that ap- pealed to them and secured thair votes, although in a minority of the whites, would win the day. It Is now fair and square contest between white voters. and The Advertiser would not be unwill- ing to have decisions made in a general primary. The State Committee can frame rules and regulations governing such a primary as would be absolutely fair and just for every candidate for State of flee. as we'll as for those from the coun-
 Ex-Governor Joseph F. Johnston and his followers have been seeking to array opposition to the new Constitution, and to make that their platform to go to the people on. They find that hopeless task for the registration of voters now going on shows that the requirements of the Constitution will be literally carried out, and that no white men entitled to registration will be shut out.
 The prepayment of poll tax by those between 21 and 45 years of age has also proved a disappointment to those who have sought to create prejudice against the new instrument on account of that requirement.. The great bulk Of those subject to it have made that contribution to the school found, and the books will show the largest receipts on that ac- count in many years. and nearly all Of 1t from white voters. Of course it is easy for enemies of the Constitution to talk about the thousands who have been dis franchised. Those who are interested can poll their own communities and learn how baseless is the allegation. It has been evident for some time that there are those who would be willing to stir up strife in case the primary plan is not adopted. We have had turmoil and strife enough in our ranks, and if 1t can be avoided by adopting a primary plan, why ;k l.. %r,, T@l,~ is advocating it. but judging him by his past record. it is purely from selfish con- alterations. He was not always the ad- vocate of primary. In his own county of Jefferson, in 1896, he had sufficient power in the County Executive Com mittee to order the election of dele gates by County Convention and to prevent square and fair pri- mary vote between himself and Hon. R. H. Clarke. Even then the county was against the ex-Governor. and he secured only half the delegation from his own county by means that never have been defended. In that same contest there was a primary in Jefferson County for every county position, but the ex-GoV- ernor was unwilling to apply the same rule to himself. A new light seems to have dawned upon him. but this should not deter others from pursuing the right path. We do not believe that either he, or those he can influence, will be satis- fled with anything that the State Commit tee can do, but if in this we are mistaken, then we can have here in Alabama the most interesting political canvass in the history of the State. We do not believe the friends of the new Constitution or those who are opposed to the peculiar methods of Joseph F. Johnston have any, thing to fear in such a contest.