The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-17
GLENN WISHES
PRIMARY CALLED
Requests Other Candi-
dates to JoiniL This
Demand.
WHAT OTHERS SAY.
Davidson, Stedman and Turner Will
Make Nc Request as to the
Method of Naming
Candidates.

Will the State Committee order a pri-
mary for the nomination of candidate
Tor Governor at their meeting tonight?
Capt. Robert b. Glenn, of Forsyth, is
strongly in favor OF a primary to elect the
candidate for Governor, and he has re-
quested the other candidates to join him
in letter to the State Committee asking
them TO order primary for that purpose.
Here is copy of his letter to each OF the
candidates for Governor:
Dear Sir: Under present conditions a
nomination to any office on the Demo
cratic ticket, is practically equivalent to
an election. This being 50, no man should
desire or expect such nomination unless
his selection should be made by major
ity of the qualified voters of the Demo
cratic party.
Feeling, therefore, that some means
should be provided, by which every DEM
ocratic voter should be allowed Il voice in
saying who should be the States chief
magistrate, ] write to ask you to Join me
in an earnest request to the democratic
executive committee that meets in Raleigh
March 18th, 1904, asking that they order
a State primary to be held at some con
venient. season, to decide why shall be the
nominee for Governor. While perfectly
willing to submit my claims to the State
convention, If the executive committee in
their wisdom think this is best, still under
present conditions, l do think every
voter of cur party should be allowed a
voice in the selection of a Governor, and
the only way in which all the people can
express their wish Is by primary.
Hoping that you will agree with me and
Join most cordially in making the request
fer State primary, and asking for an
early reply, 1 am, with assurances OF
friendship,
Sincerely yours,
r. 3. GLENN.
To that letter, Mr. Louis NJ Bourne, OF
Ashevile leader OF the Davidson forces.
sent the following answer:
Asheville, N c., March 4, 1904.
Hon r. B. Glenn, Winston. n. c.:
Dear Colonel: Your letter of February
18th to General Davidson has been re-
ferred to me for answer as 1 am in charge
of his campaign.
General Davidson and his friends dc
sire as much as any man can, that every
Democratic voter in the State should be
allowed voice in saying who shall be
the States chief magistrate, and would
welcome primary for this purpose were
the conduct of the same in this State pro
tectcd by the necessary legislation.
Since the primary between General
Carr and Hon. +. NJ. Simmons, two legis
latures have assembled and adjourned
without passing any legislation along this
line. Why this has been done, none oil
us can know, but we do know that great
deal of friction. irritation, elimination and
rccrimination was the result OF that pr
mary, and VIC believe it had tendency
to produce bitterness in our party ranks
The experiences of our party friends in
different sections of the State with pri
maries not authorized or safe-guarded by
the necessary legislation, has not been al
all satisfactory. In addition to this, sc
. for as our information extends, the State
executive committee has no authority OF
power to order a primary.
We know that the last Democratic State
Convention by large majority expressly
refused to authorize or require primaries
for the selection of party candidates.
In these circumstances, we are inclined
TO the opinion that it might be embar
RAISING to the members of our State exec
utve committee, were the candidates fo
Governor on the Democratic ticket to joil
in the request as suggested by you, anc
VIC do not think it would be wise to maxi
anv request or take any action in TIN
premises.
With personal good wishes, 1 am,
Sincerely yours.
L. NJ BOURNE.
1T. GOV. TURNER'S POSITION.
Mr.. j. A. Hardness, chairman of tn,
Democratic Executive Committee. of Ire
dell county, leader of the Turner forces