The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-06-20
MEETING OF THE
ExEcUTIcE COMMITTEE
Votes Counted and Various important
Matters Discussed

COiHiHlttee met THIS morning TO cam
vass the vote of the second primary.
Those present were Andrew White
Citra; Charlie Lucius, Levon; T.
H!ckson, Mcintosh; Jim Hudgens,
Cotton Plant: Clarence Smith, Weir
Park; Joe Davis, Summerfield; NJ. F.
Townsend, Martin; Mr.. Forbes, An
thony; Jack McCully, Fellowship; DIR.
Snow. Pedro; VIII Nix, Kendrick:
Will Henderson, Grahamville; NJ. l..
Payne, Fairfield: Drew Mathews,
Remington; Ed Rou, Reddick; r. D.
Zetrouer, Geiger; ]. w. Stevens, Fort
Mccoy; Mr.. Fort, proxy for John T.
Lewis Moss Bluff; Judge Alex Wynne
proxy for w. Allsop, stanton; Mr..
Douglass, Shady; Judge L. L. Hop
king, proxy for Mr.. Tremere. Belle
view; DR.. J. q. Baskin. Dunnellon.
Chairman Graham called the meet
ing to order. The chairman said he
had tabulated the returns as fast as
they came in but had only added up
the totals once. Clarence Smith NOV
ed they be accepted, but DR.. Snow OBJ
jected, as few votes from his pre-
cinct had been thrown out and he de-
sired them counted, as those who vot-
ed these votes were qualified voters
| and he did not think 1t was fair to
| them or his precinct. The chairman
ruled If the voters were qualified that
was sufficient. a The trouble in this
case was that these votes had been
put in the ballot box instead Of in an
envelope and sent with the returns
to the chairman; that under the law
the committee could not go behind
the returns. Payne said the box could
not be opened unless 1t would affect
the results Of nominating a candi-
date. Snow moved and Hudgens sec
onded the motion, that the votes be
counted, but as the question was not
understood Hudgens said he would
withdraw his second If the motion
waa withdrawn. This brought the
Demosthenes of Fairfield to his feet,
M. L. Payne, who related similar trou-
bles at his precinct, a case in which a
manager had a grievance against a
voter but being democrat he, Payne,
could not go behind the returns. Clar-
ence Smith then SHE'D his oratorical
castor into the ring and gave an old
time democratic talk for old time
democratic methods of conducting
elections. That was before the legis-
lature got together and passed the
present primary law, which he de-
sired repealed, as 1t cost a man a for
tune to get an office under the law.
1t was not democratic; democracy
was the plain, simple way of doing
things, without frills and suberfuges.
Snow then returned to his contention.
III this case the poll taves were paid
ten days before the second primary.
This is why the votes were challeng-
ed, the manager acting under instruc-
ticns from Judge Bell that such votes
were not legal But he had done his
duty and told his story and was done
with it. Payne said he wanted the
law amended so that man had to
pay his poll taxes before the first pri-
mary. JOinting to L. s. Light. one of
the legislative nominees, he exclaim-
ed: IF you don't correct this your
name is Dennis" The matter was
finally dropped and committee ap-
pointed by the chair, consisting of
Messrs. Rou, Mathews and Davis,
were instructed to certify the vote.
In the absence of the committee,
Smith suggested that the orator from
the north end Of the county. Payne.
be called on for an grafton, to which
Payne said he was willing but bust
ness was before the committee to be
attended to.
The bill of SIS of the registration
officer for extra work was ordered
paid. Then came the paying Of extra
deputies at certain precincts, which
amount Chairman Graham had ad-
vanced and wished it refunded. Some
suggested that they let the precinct
management pay those bills. 1t was
finally agreed that in case, after pay
ing all prior debts, any money was
lef. in the treasury then pay for the
services of these extra deputies, as
there was no law for such service.
Hudgens then asked committee to
rule on closing country precincts
earlier than shutdown. Payne oppos-
ed, saying it was patriotic duty and
men should cheerfully give their time
for one day In every two years to
vote and assist in the election, and
committee had no authority to do
this Smith said Payne was right,
be sides this committees authority
ended with this session and motion
was tabled.
Then came Payne's inquiry who
should be paid for returning the bal
10. boxes, as the manager was paid
for his services, the prerequisite be-
loIged to the precinct committeeman.
Payne said If manager was smart
alec he could bring the box to town
and collect the mileage. This was not
right and so it was ordered the COM
mitteeman from precinct was it,
with the ballot box