The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-07


self TO vote for the nominees of the
Democratic party ct nny election there
after. and If any such pledge to sup
part the Democratic nominees in the
November election Is required of him
as condition of voting In the pri-
mary election on April Ia, zoos. he will
refuse to vote in such primary cleo
ton.
Cary Enters II Protest.
With ironclad regulations the condi
tons are snch that a citizen cannot
escape the pledge, even IL lie should
Scratch delegates TO the State con-
vention He could vote for Mayor and
time would be bound to support the
nominee OF the national Democratic
convention in November. That being
the case. he must do one Of two things
stand by the presidential nominee or
keep out of the primary. Unless the
rules are changed hundreds of loyal
Democrats will not exercise their RICH
OF suffrage. Others will ignore the
the primary. with the understanding
that they support the primary nominee
in June II was due to this situation
that Mr.. Cary wrote the following let
Ster to Chairman Doherty.
"Belicvfng that the pledge required
by the City Democratic Committee In
the primary election to he held on
April 18th has met with Intense oppo-
Nt'tou III TIC TUnNS inc
party; that II has been the cause of
bitter resentment on the part of many
Democratic voters. and that II will
cause strife and discOrd where no prin-
clple is mt stake. and where no good
TX to be accomplished, respectfully
nsk that you call n meeting of the City
Democratic Committee at the earliest
date practicable, at which myself nnd
other citizens, who have only the good
+ nf the party at heart, may appear and
n fIo Ifss,
which has been prescribed. to the end
that all differences may be adjusted
and harmony restored"
Aside from the events of the day as
enumerated above, the most striking
fact yesterday was the intense feel
ing of hostility on the part of the citi-
zens as they took in the meaning of
the committees action. They realized
mat II would have The effect of driv-
ing the more decent element away
from the polls leaving the selection
of officers to a class which might not
regard the demand as conscentiously
as those who refused to submit This,
coming on top of the preaching by
press and pulpit for every citizen to
register rather Convinced most folk
that the City Committee was prepared
TO leave the spells in the hands of
those who should not be alone entitled
to make the selections In some quar-
tiers there was the belief that the
committee would remove the obstacle:
others declared that there was no pos
slbl!ty of redress from that source
the only hope resting in the court and
in the violent expressions from the
masses. 1t is not expected that Judge
Ingram Will render a decision to-day.
He will probably take the matter UNI
der advisement. and if the committee
in the meantime strikes out the pledge
the suit will be withdrawn and party
harmony restored.
Petition for 1Iandamus.
The petition for mandamus as it
will go to Judge Ingram this morning
from Mr. PERCUSSION, is as follows:
Your petitioner, Edgar II. Ferguson. re-
srectfully represents that he is citizen
of Richm,pnd Va, resident of Lee Ward
of said city, ana lawfully qualified voter
of SAID city, with the lawful right TO hold
public office.
~. Your petitioner AYERS That for many
years there has existed in the State of Vir-
giria political party known as the Demo
cratic party. II has been the custom of this
party from time to time TO hold state con-
Nentions. consisting of delegates elected by
Democratic voters in every part of the state
These conventions have adopted a consttu-
ton and rules OF government for said party
III all sections of the state, and under thai
constitution and those rules of Sovernmen,
committee is provided for, for the man
agement of the party's affairs in the city OF
Richmond, Va. which committee has con-
troi of the party's affairs in said city
80 In the early spring of 1908 the SAID
Democratic committee of the city of Rich
mcnd. Va. directed tina. a primary election
should be held in said city on April "A. 1908
TO- the purpose of nominating a Democratic
candidate for the Office OF Mayor, Demo
cratic candidates for the offcea OF Council
men and Aldermen. and for the purpose O.
cltcting representatives 10 the State Demo
cratic Convention TO be held at Roanoke
Va, on -, 1908.
Next General Election" in June.
IS. That the said committee acting unde
the plan OF organization OF said poltica
party under the power conferred by III,
statutes of Virginia, adopted plan unde
which said primary election was to be held
copy OF which plan marked Exhibit a.
Is herewith filed 10 be read as part OF thi
petition.
- That among the provisions Of sait
plan was one that every voter participating
in said primary election should pledge. him
Self TO support the nominees OF the Demo
cretic party at the next ensuing genera
election, Tho next general election aIte
April IA 1908, the date fixed for the holding
OF said primary, at which Mayor, Council
rnei, and Aldermen for the city OF Richmond
are to be elected was aud is 10 be held OF
the 9th day OF June. 1905,
- That after tho adoption by the com
mittee of said plan for the conduct of sal
primary election, the said committee passe,
resolution requiring each candidate VIII