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

- ASED upon affidavits from Demo-
Gratis and reputable citizens of
IN Richmond. asserting that the
right to vote in the municipal
primary is denied TO them be-
cause of the double pledge required by
the City Committee. application will be
made to Judge Ingram, of the Law and
Equity Court. at II o'clock to-day FOR a
writ of mandamus and an injunction
restraining the committee from carry
ing out its program. Edgar Fl. Fer
gusson. candidate for the Common
Council from Lee Ward, is the COM
pianant in the mandamus suit. An
other candidate. whose name has not
been made public, will apply for the
injunction.
II was expected that the suits would
be instituted yesterday. but Messrs.
w. H. Royal, Nelson & Nelson and
James II, Drake, Ir., who drew the
papers, We're delayed somewhat in the
preparation of the case
Committee May RccOnsldcr.
The storm of indignation which was
aroused by tho action of Chairman
Doherty's committee. and which swept
the entire city. brought forth the an
nouncement in the afternoon that there
would be at s o'clock tonight meet
ing at which some effort would be
made to rescind the pledge resolution,
leaving the people free to vote in the
primary without regard to the presi-
Dental election in November
No formal call was issued for a mass-
meeting of citizens, but it was said
that notice would be given this morn
ing OF gathering which would prob.
ably be held at I p. NJ. Without at
tempting to intimidate a committee
which has run roughshod over the
voters, the object of the latter is to
pass resolutions protesting against
convince the twenty members that
they are not superior to the Democratic
masses of Richplond.
Chairman Doherty said last night
that at the committee meeting this
evening every opportunity will be
given to citizens who wish 10 speak
against the new rule. He issued a call
oil the strength of letter from Coun-
Gilman Hunsdon Cary. Although he
be done. Mr.. Doherty said that the
pledge was not an Innovation, the
same plan having been adopted in a
former campaign. He contended. how
ever, that 1t would require unani-
nous vote TO reconsider. One member
OF the committee expressed the opinion
that 1t would be unwise to create too
much feeling that a mass meeting
might do more harm than good, mas
much as the committee would prob
ably reverse itself in view of the gem
eral opposition from the public.
Mayor Mccarthy Rescnts 1t.
Declaring that he was prepared to
vote the Democratic ticket FOR this
balance of his life Mayor McCarthy
issued a signed statement during tho
forenoon. in which he held that he did
not believe the City Democratic Com
mittee had any legal, moral or, political
right to bind any man who went into
the primary further than the June
election. The Mayor said;
$50 far as am personally concern
cd nm willing to plcdEe myself for
the balance OF my life to vote the
Democratic ticket, city, State aud ~ha-
tlunnl.
"Hnwever, do not believe that thu
Democratic Committee has any legal or
moral or political right to bind any
man who votes In u primary any fur
tllcr than that he will vote for the cam
dldate nominated in that primary; nni
do believe that II Is just or reason.
| able to combine on one ticket In
primary the candidates for municipal
election with candidates for any occa.
sion which Involves national pOliticN.-
Because of the difference in the pro-
ceedings, two complaints win he filei
| in court, One will be a writ of man
| damus, which makes the broad charge
/ that the demands OF the City Commit
tee are unreasonable, The mandamus
Ibill brought by Mr.. Ferguson I.
printed in fun in THE Times-Dispatc tell
this morning, In the Injunction an
other member Of City Council will hold
| that the committee has violated a coa.
] tract. the pledge having 'been required