The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-01
STATE PRIMARY
TO BE APRIL 20
STATE CONVENTION JUNE /.
THESE DATES FIXED by THE DEM
OCRATIC CONVENTION.

Some Discussion Was Had Over the
Primary Date, some Wanting 1t
on Saturday, for the Benefit of
Farmers, and Others Opposing
That Day in the Interest of the
Jewish VOte-POII OF the Commit
tee Upon Presidential Candidates.
Atlanta, Feb. "Wednesday, April
90, is the day on which the Democrats
of Georgia will nave the opportunity
of expressing this year their prefer
ences for State House officers, judges
and solicitors general, that date hav-
ing been named to-day by the State
Democratic Executive Committee for
the state primary.
The state convention will be held on
Wednesday, June 1.
The fixing of these two dates consti-
tuted in the main the work of the
state committee, which met at the
Piedmont Hotel here at II o'clock this
morning. The committee was called to
order at IL O'Clock by Chairman e. 7.
Brown. There were thirty-four mem
bers of the committee present in per-
son and only seven proxies. This is
considered the best attendance the
committee has had in years.
From the First district A. A. Law
renee of Savannah and Frank Mitchell
Of Swainsboro were on hand, and w.
W. Osborne held the proxy of John e.
Foye of Egypt. N. A. Morris of Cobb,
Speaker of the House Of Representa-
tives and candidate for judge of the
Blue Ridge Circuit. held the proxy of
r. M. Hitch of Savannah.
Politicians were here from all over
the state and it seemed as If every
candidate for office who had any sign
OF opposition was on hand. Chief JUS
tice T. j. simmons of the Supreme
Court and Judge r. B. Russell OF Win
der, who is opposing him, met In the
hotel lobby and passed pleasantries.
| Chairman ]. S. Turner of the Prison
| Commission was there, as was also his
opponent, Judson Strickland of Griffin.
1t was, indeed, a gathering of the
clans, the like of which has not been
seen since the days of elections by the
Legislature.
At the beginning of the committees
session. a committee Of five, composed
of Hamilton, MeWorter, Warner Hill.
Boykin Wright, Alex Lawrence and ].
L. Boynton, was appointed to suggest
rules and regulations for the state
primary and elections This commit
tee, after an hours deliberation, made
it's report, leaving the dates blank.
some Wanted Saturday.
The committee took no action on a
resolution by Mr.. Morris of Cobb, FIX
ing Saturday as the day of the week
on which the primary should be held,
and this provoked the only contest
during the day. Mr.. Morris insisted
that unless the primary were held on
Saturday 1t would disfranchise a large
number Of farmers, who could not take
the time to go to the polls in the mid
die of the week.
Hon. Clark Howell, Judge Spencer
r. Atkinson and Others took the op.
posite view of the matter, basing their
opposition principally on the fact that
fixing the day on Saturday would dis
franchise a large number of Jewish
voters, and that this was undemo-
cratic in principle.
The resolution was lost by vote Of
81 to 9.
There was some question raised as
to the date Of the primary, some want
ing 1t on Tuesday, May 8, but 1t was
contended the first Of the month would
also be bad time for farmers as we'll
as for business men. Wednesday,
April 20. was finally fixed upon as
the most satisfactory time. at the sug-
gestion of Mr.. HILL
None Of the candidates raised any
protest against an early primary, and
all seemed satisfied with the time
fixed except those who wanted ii
on Saturday.
The date OF the convention was put
on Wednesday, June 1. at the sugges-
ton Of Judge McWhorter.
The rules and regulations adopted
are practically the same as those OF
last year, except that the committee
added several new ones. This year 1t
is provided that if the name Of any
Democratic candidate is left off Of any
ticket, such ticket shall be illegal and
not counted. The form of the ticket
will be prepared by Chairman Brown.
A resolution was adopted against
bribery. Votes where bribery can be-
shown will not be counted. and candi-
dates found guilty Of bribery cannot
be nominated. A resolution was adopt
ed, assessing each State House officer
$50 as expenses for the primary and
other elections In lieu Of ali other as
sessments. This win stop county as
sessments against the State House Of
fieers, which has frequently cost them
from 5000 10 $500,
The committee was given a lunch
con by Hon. Clark Howell AZ the Cap
ital City Club after It's adjournment
The luncheon was given complimentary
20 Hon Il. T. Brown, the retiring
chairman.
Their Choice for. President.
During che recess this morning a poli
Continued on Ninth Pa0el