Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18

number of candidates in the field the
amount assessed will be S9.65O. This is
below the estimated cost of the primary,
and is made possible by the holding of
many local primaries in various parts of
the state on the same date. thereby divfd-
ing up the cost with the local officers.
Representative Jones said that the COM
mittee had been directed to make an effort
to get men to serve from a spirit of pride
and patriotism, and he seemed disposed to
upbraid the committee for q desire to make
the primary obnoxious and burdensome.
He declared that men could be gotten to
conduct the primary who would be glad to
offer their services to the state and to the
party for the public good. He said that II
the counties and cities in which money
was required to conduct primary could
not arrange for the election by appealing
to the pride of the people, and no election
were held as a result of the failure to get
money or men to volunteer, he would be
willing to see the counties DISTINGUISHED,
believing it would be good thing for the
state. He said that If it were made known
that candidates were to be assessed for the
primary and the fact that judges In this
city and others got from 81 to 50 day,
then the demand would be made from all
quarters for money. The ievying of assess
ments for the primary was contrary to the
letter and spirit of the law.
Beautiful Theory Failure.
Judge Asa D. Watkins, a friend Of the
ence with the law as chairman of the
fourth district. He had tried to get officers
to conduct a primary without charge, and
he was forced to abandon the beautiful
theory and nat failure and pay the men
for the work He did not believe in the
steep assessments, but there was no way
in which 1t could be helped
The matter was debated at length, Rep
resentative Jones expressing himself force
fr-l on Syhinpf having
dates pay such an enormous sum when II
was the intention. desire and expectation
that men in all parts of the state would
offer their services. But it was a fact that
not member of the committee from any
section volunteered to guarantee that the
primary could be held In any county In the
state without payment to the officers. IL
was rude awakening from beaut1ful
dream and while there is and always has
been opposition to the primary plan by q
great many people in the state, not word
was said against the matter at the meeting,
all hands desiring, so far as could be as
certained, to give the plan fair trial.
And the first trial will, in the minds of
many sound the death knell of the scheme
and cause a reform in the plan by some
arrangement whereby the expense will De
borne by the state or the cost reduced so
that men of moderate means can afford to
offer for office.
The committee gave the election officers
IN the cities severe setback when reso-
luton was aQOpteQ providing Thai pay
should be made at the rate allowed by the
state, 81 a day, whereas in the past the
cities have paid IS and sums under that
figure.
Playing Politics.
Politics were played in the committee
meeting. though a stranger would never
have perceived the drift of affairs. The
friends Of Senator Martin are in undisputed
control of the committee, and it is a fact
that they voted to reduce the expenses to
candidates from the figure first suggested.
while the Montague men voted to make 1t
the limit from one 20 three hundred dol
lars more than was assessed.
The Montague people led a strong fight
for a late primary, but at every turn
they were signally defeated. the Martin
men having their way and liking the date
as August 10. anG later, in order to allow
al the state senatorial candidates cnance
to get in on the plan, the motion was re-
considered and the date made August u
1t was in line wi h the action of Senator
Martin in the state convention here year
ago. when he went actively to work TO pre-
vent the defeat CT the governor for dele
gate-at-large from the state to the st.
Louis convention. His friends at the COM
mittee meeting acted in the same manner,
not caring to take any advantage by rea-
son of majority OF the committee.
Free Ballot and Fair Count.
AS was indicated in this correspondence
a week ago, the -<ry of free ballot and
fair count" is per+eading the state. Only
democrats are concerned in the primary,
and In the committse meeting a resolution
was offered by M, Darlington of Char
lotte. supporter O. the governor, having
for it's object the calling of any judge or
other person WHOM the voter might select
to assist in the lieparation of the ballot.
Mr. Darlington said that was done In the
spirit of fairness asid to prevent the cry
that might be raised; from any source that
there had been any irregularity or advan-
tage taken by thee men who are to conduct
the election. That would give the voter
the right to call .:oon any friend he might
desire to aid in ;sreparing the ticket, be
he a judge or citizen. Mr.. Jordan OF Rad
ford pointed out Shat it would permit the
hangers-on and Eartisans of the candi-
dates to besiege : ,e voters and add inter-
minable confusio4. 20 order Of things, when
the judges were s,,aeady directed under the
terms of the plaf so assist any voter who
might apply for ,..,lp. Then, too. it was
pointed out that sSs adoption Of the propo,
made by the Republicans that the democrats
could not and N5isld not conduct a fair
election Mem h.:s-: said they saw rea-
son for the resolution, and it was laid on
the table. /
Mr. Ellison in Charge.
]. Taylor EllYs.n of this city, who has
been chairman s3t the party for fourteen
years, sent a L. ~ to the committee ask
ing to be relieef,f of service during the
primary and un!s! after the result was an
nounced, iuasmu%h is he was a candidate
for place on thH, state tcket-lieutenant
governor The cs'rn inittee declined to ac
cede to his requ.;.s, and adopted a resolu-
ton setting fortt that there was no i'm
proprtety in his retaining the Craftsmanship
and conducting tile primary. Mr.. Ellyson
acauiesced in tbs wishes of the committee
and said he would sc rye as he had always
tried to do-witlf din eye single to the sue
cess of the party.
The candida tel for places on the state
ticket are to 5osify he state chairman in
writing before: ..uly % of their intention
to become candidates and to pay the as
easements hxo;t pn o., before the date for
notification. +
--4-1cr.{a rar<, Yanxrrn roSrcr