The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-07
Proposition to Allow Them to
Vote in Democratic Primary Is
Defeated Last Night.
PLAN HAS BEEN COMPLETED
Only Material Change Requires
Contestant to Deposit Cost
OF Recount.

After brief but interesting, dis
-ussion of two new propositions the
CITY Democratic Committee last night
adopted for the coming municipal pri-
mary plan which is. in the main,
identical with those used at former
elections.
questions which provoked sharp diff
ferences related to a proposition to al
low coIored Democrats to vote in the
primary, and another to require cam
didates making contests or asking re-
counts to deposit a sum sufficient to
defray the expenses of work. The
former was overwhelmingly defeated
and the latter adopted by similar
vote.
Would Admit Negroes.
All the sections of the plan had been
read. and the paper was about to be
adopted as whole when Mr.. Stone,
of Clay Ward, moved to amend section
!: providing. "who are entitled to vote.
by striking out the word white" The
section as reported IN the plan reads:
"AH registered white Democratic
voters of the city of Richmond, who
are qualified according to. law, and
who will pledge themselves, as here
innfter provided, to support the nomt-
nee. of the Democratic party, shall be
entitled to vote mt the said primary
election
Secretary Duke supported the motion
in a brief speech, in which he contend-
ed that the Democrats should encourage
new recruits. and that If man was
a believer in Democratic principles he
should be allowed to participate in
Democratic primaries regardless of his
coloi.
4 = Timetto Quit.
Mr.. Brooks raised the point that the
amendment, If adopted, would permit
negroes to run for office in the prima-
cies, and he thought in some wards in
emergency cases they might be elected.
Messrs. Saunders, Allen and Doherty
opposed the amendment The latter
called attention to the fact that when
the negroes are about TO be read out
Of their own party. it is proposed to let
them come into the Democratic prima
ries, where 1t might be possible for
them to hold the balance of power and
dictate terms.
When the time arrives" concluded
The chairman, that negroes are to die
tate the policies and candidates of the
Democratic party, it will be time for
the white people of the South to vote
the Republican ticket"
The amendment secured only two
votes. and the plan was adopted as a
whole.
One New Section.
The new section, relating 10 contests
and recounts, is as follows:
"When any candidate or candidates
are dissatisfied with the result and ask
for II recount or recunyuss. or both. OF
the votes east In this primary. they
shall deposit with the chairman a sum
sufficient TO cover all expense of same
should the candidate or candidates
prove any wrong has been done them
the money shall be refunded, but should
ii be proven that they have suffered no
wrong, the money shall be used for
paving the expenses of such recount q,
recanNhss, and should there bt. an,
"hiahce left after paying such cx-
Denscs the remainder shall he returned
the candidate or candidates deposit
Ing same"
~: ar, Leanan, Of the plans committee
was inc first to oppose the section AND
ne was supported by Mr.. Welsh.
Those advocating the change WON,
Allen. 'au''u'rs ana
~, The National Pledge.
me national pledge which has bear
usuai ~ recent primaries here. win he
REQUIRED OF the candidates. II foIlows.
10 the Secretary of The City D.nn.
cratic Committees;
announce that I am n c.nd,,o,,
i"r inc Democratic nominntio, far ~,
-, ---------- Ward. cit,
OF Hichmond, and pledge INV -, wv,
:oi,he democratic nnrty--city, State nnI
,.dlths primary, win take place on An,
eInn, n ana fa aIdsTn,s fol- Mayor coW.
IHe following shows the nunbnr ~ y.
Councilmen and Aldermen Ia No NJ " o
In ee,ch ward. NS cHoscl
.'Inlcrc shnil be nominated n, sal,
prin&,ry one candidate for Maynr an W..
,nemd'ers of the Common CouucI srnn
eaeh ward, and one member III ~
noni of Aldermen from CIay, ~
: hipdtson, Jefferson and Marshall VIVID
aud two members of the Board OF Al