Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-24
Election of Delegates to Dis
triCt Democratic Convention.
TO STOP REPEATING
METHOD PROPOSED TO PREVENT
DUPLICATION OF VOTES.
Report From the Subcommittee of
Democratic National Committee
Not Expected for Several Weeks.

1t is not expected that the subcommittee
of the democratic national committee. APP
pointed TO consider the situation in the Dis
trct of Columbia in respect to the right or
Mr.. James l.. Norris TO place as national
committeeman for the District and to ar
range system for the holding of local
primaries will make its report for several
weeks.
In respect to method for the holding of
democratic primaries in the District that
will be satisfactory TO every one, Mr., John
4. McGraw. the chairman, asked the repre-
sentatiVes of the two local factions at the
recent hearing held in this city whether
plan would be satisfactory for them IL the
conduct of primaries We're placed in the
hands of a committee composed of repre-
sentatives of each of those factions with
third member to be chosen by them. This
suggestion was favorably received.
Plans Considered.
The subcommittee will also provide a set
of rules for the holding of the primaries.
They have already considered various fea-
lures of plans for conducting such prima-
res
In connection with the rules and reguia-
,ticrs governing the primaries. the convic-
ton seems to be well settled among demo-
cists that it is a practical lmpossibility to
secure registration Of voters for very
many reasons.
- To Prevent Repeating.
That feature being determined, the ques-
tion then is what method can be adopted
which would tend 10 avoid duplicate yot-
irg?
Discussions among leading democrats of
the District seem to indicate that this
= could be readily brought about by having
each voter register he votes; that he be
required to sign his name and address to
printed statement kept by the judges for
that purpose at each polling place declar-
ing that he is a citizen of the District. not
Il voter in any state. that he is a resident
of the legislative district in which he de-
Sires 10 cast his vote. that he is a demo-
crat that he will do whatever he can to
assist in the election of the nominees of
the coming democratic national conven-
lion. etc.
1t IS believed that the cases will be ex-
tremely rare where will subscribe
his name and address, or another name
and address. to more than one such decla-
ration. and that an attempt to vote more
than once at any one polling place would
: fail.
! The opinion prevails. also, that instead of
permitting anybody TO have a ballot print
-. ed and distributed and voted as hereto
fore. the committee of three charged with
the conduct of the primaries should adopt
a ballot. the ballots being consecutively
numbered. and that this number should be
torn of and hled Immediately before the
ballot is east: that ballots should be fur
nished only by the clerk or judges of cleo
zion when the polls are opened; that the
,Eotsr should Indicate by cross mark on
posite the name of the candidate for dele
gate or alternate or central committeeman
he wished to vote for; that improper mark
ing sboHld void the ballot.
- Also that the committee of three should
he charged with the selection of Judges and
clerks. and that no person who is a can
didate for election as delegate or alternate
or Tor member of the central committee
-Should-be eligible as judge or clerk of cleo
ton.
+. 1t is suggested. further that instead Of
having the member OF. the central com
mittee elected in the local convention,
candidates Tor that position shall have
their names printed on the ballots with
the candidates for delegates and alter
mates. This would enable the democrats
of each district to have a more direct
voice in the selection of the central com
mitteeman to represent their district
Selection of National Committeeman.
The member of the national committee
to represent the District of Columbia has
heretofore been selected by the delega-
ton to the national convention 1t is
argued that such an important Office
should not be left in the control of a few
men. and the general opinion seems now to
ne th9I The member of the national com
mlttee to represent the District should be
nominated in the local convention by ali
the delegates assembled, as is done in the
states. and that the delegates elected Ia
the national convention be instructed To
present the name of the person so nomi-
mated TO the national convention for cleo
ton.
1t is proposed that each Judge and clerk
selected by the committee of three shall
take an oath before the opening of the
polls to conduct the primaries fairly and
honestly: that these judges shall have the
s!lSht TO challenge voters, and that the de-
fcision of the majority shall be final
The suggestion is made that this com
mlttee OF three shall set the date for the
holding of the primaries and convention
and give due and sufficient notice; that il
shall canvass the returns from the various
districts, and issue certificates of election
to the successful candidates
\ further important change has beer
suggested in the matter Of the time al
totted for voting. Heretofore the polls
have been opened but one hour, from 7:3f
10 s:3" pm. Now il is suggested that the
polls be opened at I and closed at II
O'Clock pm, so that there will be more
freedom allowed in voting and greater
care can be exercised in seeing. that nc
duplication occurs.