The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-09
RESOLUTION FINALLY
 LOSES BY A TIE VOTE
Howard Douglass of Washington Seeks to Once More lnaugurate the Double Primary In
 Elections.
BY E. E. kERsH.

Montgomery, March s.-(Special)-The decision to place the name of Capt. k. r. Hobson on the official ballot for congress in the Sixth district was merely slde issue with the democratic state commit tee today. There was absolutely no op- position to the Hobson issue. but when that was settled d real live wire was sprung by resolution from Howard Douglas of Washington which sought to again inaugurate the double primary sys- tenn.
 The idea of change from the plurality to the majority plan for nominating state officers or railroad commissioner had enly been anticipated by few and it met with quick and earnest opposition. It com manded half of the votes of the quorum of the committee present, however. but could not get through. The meeting up to this time had been a tame affair, but was attended by many prominent men from the Sixth district and throughout the state.
 No Quorum Present.
 When the committee was first called to order only nine members responded to the roll call. MT. Mallory said that t;,ere were ten other members in the city and he would therefore advise a recess of ten minutes and send for the absentees On the second call by Secretary Pugh nine teen members responded, bare quorum. Those present were Chairman Mallory. T. M Stevens, Howard Douglas J J. King, W. A Carter of the First district; George P. Jones, J. H. Porterfield of the Segond A. H. Merrill J. T. Foster of the THrd; c. c. Whtson, Triton Mullins of trE Fourth; George F. Sedherry of the Fifth; R. A. orear. c. B. Smith of the a4itls J. H. Nathan John F. s'rcctor. Jehn C. Isysfer ~ofstlle Eighth: Jones G. Moore, B. F. Roden and J. B. Christian of the Ninth
 MT. Mallory explained that he had called the committee together upon the request of Chairman Moody of the Sixth congress sional district committee and he read MT. Moody's letter telling of the action of the district committee in requesting that the state committee so amend its rules as to permit Captain Hobson to have his name placed upon the official ballot. The chairman suggested that MT. Moody was present and if the committee so desired, information relative to the matter could be obtained from him.
 Moody Addresses Committee.
 MT Whitson moved that MT. Moody ad- dress the committee for ten minutes, and upon the adoption of the motion the Sixth district chairman appeared before the body. MT. Moody said he had come to Montgomery simply to bear the resolu- ticns adopted by his committee and ask the committee to take favorable action. Unless this action is taken, he said, harmony in the party might be dstur- bed" He explained without calling names that one or two persons had desired to certify as candidates in the district who
 1f artfA fAna toe of registration. As the distritc commit tee desired to obey the party law it has passed the resolution asking the state committee to so amend Its rulings as to permit the names to go upon the offi- cial ballot. The district committee had taken this action after due deliberation and there was no opposition.
 Tt is the one thing upon which all the candidates and all parties concerned are agreed" MT. Moody concluded.
 MT. Eyster of Morgan asked that the secretary read the original resolution of the committee fixing qualification for per sons who could have their names placed upon the official ballot. Chairman Mall lory called attention to large number of petitions favoring the action being asked for.
 "There are great numrer of signers, numbering perhaps Into the tho isands, said the chairman.
 
 self has signed the petition" said MT. Stevens of Mobile.
 His son told me this morning that such Is fact" said MT. Eyster.
 Wanted Uniform Rule.
 MT Nathan of Culbert said that inde- pendent of the Sixth district, he wanted the resolution so framed as to apply alike to the whole state. He therefore moved the appointment of a committee of three
  carried and the chair named Messrs. Nathan, Whitson and Moore to prepare the resolution. Pending a report the com mittee recessed until 2:30 o'clock.
 When the committee reconyened, MT. Nathan reported for the special com mittee as follows: Your committee re- spectfully recommend the following amendment to the primary plan. That the twentieth section be amended so as to read as follows:
 " 'T'wentieth-Each candidate for of- flee shall at least twenty days prior to the primary election herein provide for, file with the chairman or secretary of the committee. or the committeeman having charge and control of the territory in which such candidate is to be voted for, a declaration in writing of his candidacy in the form hereinafter prescribed, and such declaration shall before being filed aforesaid, be subscribed and sworn to be- fore an officer authorized to administer paths.
 Form of Declaration.
 ''The State of Alabama. county of =. ''I, A. B., the undersigned, who being first duly sworn, ldo depose and say that am a candidateffor the democratic nom- ination to the office of - that I am citizen of Alabama, and a duly qualified registered elector of. will be entitled to registration prior to the election in No- vember, 1904 and that I possess, or will possess by the time said election Is held, the qualifications prescribed by law for a voter in said election. (Signed) A. B. Sworn and subscribed before me this the = day of - 1904.
 And provided that the name of no per son shall be printed on the official ballot