The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-09
PRIMARY PLAN HAS
SOME OPPOSITION
Republicans Are Afraid of
Large Expense
SUBCOMMITTEE TO MEET
Managers and Clerks of Democratic
Primary viii Be Selected Next
Wednesday-Senator Pettus
Spends While In the City.

Strong opposition to the republican pri-
mary plan has developed in some quart
ers in the party and 1T is said that many
of the party officials in different counties
of the state will disregard the order of
the state executive committee to call the
primary.
1t is argued by the opponents of the
plan that 1t is impracticable on account
of the great expense and from the fact
that In some localities Of the state there
are not enough republicans to hold pri-
maries. 1t is also stated that the party
cannot afford to go into the primary with
negro on the ticket for governor or any
other office In the state. even though he
should not receive a large vote
1t is said that the county chairmen in
some of the strongest republican counties
In the state have expressed their determi-
nation to disregard the order of the COM
mittee Along with these rumors comes a
pretty well defined demand for the re-
| assembling of the republican conference
recently held in Birmingham to make de-
mand on the executive committee for a
state convention. All factions of the re-
publican party seems to be heartily in
favor of putting full state ticket In the
field and making a vigorous campaign,
but 1t is true that many of them do not
like the primary plan and II the primary
is forced on them many OF this class
may refuse to participate, and it is also
said that candidates will not submit them
selves to the plan on account of the
Qraat axnensa would entail
Primary VIII Be Held.
Contrary to these rumors and state
ments by members of the party IL is
claimed by high official members of the
party and men who are In a position to
know that the primary will be held in
every county and precinct of the state
and that full and representative ticket
for all state offices VIII be put In the
field.
1t is said by these same authorities that
the expense of the primary is less than
the holding of state convention and
that a primary Is the more practicable
plan for the selection Of a state ticket.
1t is pointed out that the holding OF beat
meetings, county convention and the send
Ing Of delegates to the state convention
will cost more than the holding of the
primary
In speaking of the matter yesterday
republican of unquestioned authority said:
There is nothing whatever In the rumor
that primaries will not be called in some
Of the counties of the state. You can
state positively that a primary Will be
held in every section OF the state between
September Is and September %. and that
/ a full state ticket viii be put In the field.
The primary plan is the most popular and
the fairest, as has been proven by the
democratic party and the expense is less
than the holding state convention.
you can also state that the republicans
will put a full state ticket in the field
that will be strong and that will appeal
to the people We will select our best
men and they will accept the nominations
and make vigorous campaign. There is
no telling what may be done in a vigorous,
open fight in this state.
I'VE shall nominate for governor man
of force and high standing In the state
and a Joint debate with the democratic
nominee will be sought"