The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-06

! After a session lasting several hours
| yesterday. the subcommittee Of the
State Democratic Committee appointed
10 draft and present to the Legislature
measure legalizing and 1essening the
expenses of primaries, adopted q bill
which will be introduced in the Gem
eral Assembly as practically the Of
ficial party measure.
The bill is short, and contains but
few of the provisions found In the bill
drafted by Speaker r. E. Byrd. The
subcommittee considered three bills
and numerous suggestions. finally
adopting. with slight modifations.
the measure presented by Committee
man Robert Gillian, of Petersburg. the
member of the subcommittee from the
Fourth District.
Warm Contest Certain.
The action of this body makes it
practically certain that primary legis-
lation Wall be the most Interesting and
important matter to come before the
General Assembly. 1t is understood
that Speaker Byrd will introduce and
insist upon the passage of his bill. and
that means sharp disagreement and
lively fight before ANY measure can be-
come law of the Commonwealth.
Practically the sorlS4 provision OF the
Byrd bill adopted by the subcommittee
Is that clause requiring newspapers to
mark paid political matter printed as
an advertisement. that feature being
amended SO as not to require the pub
lication of the name OF the person.
firm or corporation paying for the In
sertion.
Judges OF primary elections are
to be paid by the counties or cities.
but no provision is made for the other
primary expenses, such as printing
ballots and rent OF places for holding
elections
Parties are allowed to choose their
own methods OF nominations. the time
OF holding primaries and the manner
OF declaring candidacy. They may also
prescribe the qualifications for the
participation Of voters. No Limitation
is placed upon the expenditure Of cam
didates, and no fee Is required OF aspir-
ants
Subcommittee In Session.
The subcommittee met at noon at
the residence of State Chairman j Tay-
Ilor Ellyson, 10 East franklin Street.
j. N. Brenaman. secretary of the State
Committee. acted as secretary OF the,
meeting. Besides Chairman Ellyson.
the following were present:
First District, r. ]. Downing. Of Ian,
caster; Second District. J. e. West, OF
Nansemond; Thitd District. Clyde ".
Saunders, Of Richmond; Fourth Dis
trict, Robert Gillian. Of Petersburg,
Fifth District, Rorer A. James. of DAN
Vile; Sixth District, Henry 0. Hum
phries. Of Bedford; Eighth District,
Paul Garrett, OF Loudoun; Tenth Dis
strict, Joseph Button, Of Appomattox.
Mr. Garrett, who is a member Of the
State Committee. took the place Of
Raleigh T. Green, who is out Of the
State, while Colonel Button took that
OF !. p. Whitehead. of Nelson. e. w.
S1k pShSSAbaAs t.1SOSthAA 5Aetillt III SiAS
Seventh District, was reported to be
en- route to Richmond. but did not ap-
pear at the meeting. Nothing was
heard from the ninth.
Enabling Resolution.
The subcommittee first considered
| the terms of the resolution adopted at
the State Convention In Roanoke in
1908. under which this meeting was
| held. That resolution provided:
"That all resolutions regarding the
I primary be referred to the Democratic
State Central COMMITTEES, and that that
| body be, and hereby Is, instructed to
make such changes In the primary elec-
tion plan as shall tend to cheapen the
cost of candidacy, relating solely to the
question of expense; to throw legal
| safeguards about primaries. and to
provide that primary elections shall
be held after full public notice. not
less than sixty nor more than ninety
days before the ensuing regular elee-
tion: and it is further authorized and
instructed to put Into effect such rules
necessary to promote such results and
to prepare and present to the next ses-
sion OF the Legislature a bill to legal
Stze ana protect all primaries In every
part Of the State."'
5 Three Bills Considered.
An informal discussion Of the his
tory. practical application and future
of the primary was participated in,
after which the members OF the sub
committee were entertained at lunch
by Mr.. Ellyson. In the afternoon con.
sideration OF the subject was resumed.
The Byrd law, copies OF which had
been placed In the hands oi the COM
mitteemeR, was gone over and the
members EXPRESSED /, their opintona of
its provis lions. Colonel T.. -. West had
q bill !. AZ had Rohert q lam. .s Every
body had sug sestioas ~ to proytslona