The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-01-12
PRIMARY IS IN PERIL
Meeting Of State Committee May bt
to Reinstate Machine Methods
in Politics.

ida's voters and it is all because of
the call issued by Chairman Price
for meeting of the State Demo-
cratic Executive Committee to be
held in Jacksonville on Jan. 8 to
set date for the spring primary
and also to transact any business
which may be properly considered.
There is strong belief in some
quarters that the committee will
call a state convention for the pur-
pose of adopting a platform for the
government of the party in Florida.
And there's where the trouble
comes, for there is more or less ire
pidation regarding the real out
come of such a convention if called.
For if it is called, there will un-
doubtedly be the fiercest kind of a
fight precipitated between the two
factions in the state party.
BrOward Agin' 1t
The members of the faction which
is represented by former Gov Ma
poleon B. Broward are opposed to a
convention. because they fear that
the calling of such a gathering
would be but the first step towards
endeavOring to do away with the
are violently opposed to going back
to the old convention system of
party politics. for that would mean
a reinstatement of the old regime
in Florida
There has been a general move
ment throughout the state for a
convention and there are friends of
BrOward who wish it called. But
they only want it to adopt a party
platform SO that the personal plat
form will be done away with. They
want it to stop there and not to
meddle with the primary system.
Some of the more careful are afraid
that it would go further and en-
danger the primary.
The movement for convention
began to crystalize back in the sum-
mer when the legislature was in
session. A secret caucus was held
at a Tallahassee hotel one night by
several of the stronger advocates of
the convention system and the mat
ter was discussed. But it was de-
cided not to endeavor to have a
convention called at that time. 1t
was knowledge of this meeting
which led the Broward adherents.
who were strongly in the majority,
to force resolution through in
dOrSing the present primary system
as the best for the interests of the
people.
Aside from endangering the pri-
mary there is a generally expressed
desire to have state platform. At
present when a candidate announces
it is up to him to announce plat
form of his own. The ancient ques-
ton of what is a democrat?" en-
ters not little bit into it all, for
the claim is frequently made that
there are populists, republicans.
prohibitionists and SOCIALISTS in the
ranks of the democratic party Of
Florida.
Might Call Off the Primary
Gov. Broward has expressed him.
self as strongly opposed to a con-
vention. Leaders of the conserva-
tive factions are urging it.
Some even feared that the state
committee might decide not to call
a primary at all and simply call a
convention instead. But there is no
likelihood of the committee taking
any such radical action. 1t is quite
probable that the convention will be
called. but only for the purpose Of
adopting a platform. AS to the fu-
ture of the primary system much
depends upon which faction is in
power in the convention. 1t is quite
probable, however, that any effort
to return to the old convention sys-
tenn of nominating candidates will
be headed Off
AS to the setting of the date for
a primary it is expected that the
time will be the middle of April or
the first of May. Some are urging
an early primary. but there is op-
position to it and the committee will
simply have to decide it. The pro-
hibition fight of next Novem Der
comes pretty close after the pri-
mary and some want the primary
early enough so that there will be a
little breathing space in between.
Former Gov. BrOward will ac-
lively enter the race within a week
or two and this will set things in
motion sure enough although
Claude L'Engle claims they have
been in motion for several months.
Senator Taliaferro has been out in
west Florida during the last ten
days. looking after his fences in that
section. Judge L. J. Reeves is
quietly working, but he's working
hard. Mr.. l. L'Engle is now taking in
the lower east coast by automobile
and buggy. He strongly opposes
the idea that the real fight is go
ing to be between Broward and
Taliaferro and claims that those
clingiRg to that idea will find out
something when the votes are
counted There has been little
talk to the effect that W. A. Blount
might get back into the race be-
cause of the pressure brought TO
bear by his friends but this is hard
ly probable He is probably out for
keeps-for this time. 1t will be a
lively fight and it's mighty hard to
pick the winner now.
NAPOLEON'S GRIT
was of the unconquerable. never say
die kind. the kind that You need most