The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1911-05-17
LUKE FAVORs PRIMARY.
Urges That the Platform of the Par
ty Be Respected.

Hon Roscoe Luke of Thomasville
lengthy communication advocating
a primary for the nomination of
candidate for the United States SEN
ate. In part he says;
ct is amusing to hear the reports
of the various committeeman as to
why a primary to elect a senator is
not desired. The committeeman in
quire of a few friends as to whether
they desire a primary. These friends
or a majority of the selected say, i
do not care The report then comes
No clamor for a primary. If there
is anything more certain than an
other it is that the people desire an
opportunity to elect their officers.
Georgia has been pointed to as an
ideal. Her people have had a voice
in the selection of her senators. The
democratic party has demanded this
right for the people. The platform
urges it in no uncertain terms.
THE friends of Gov.-elect Smith
say, What is the use? The legis-
lature will elect him or the people
will elect him. He is entitled to the
Office as a matter of course This
may be true that he will be elected
either way; but there is right way.
The right way is as Mr.. Smith has
so often said, Let the people name
their officers! If he has said so
who can say that he was not sin
cere?
81 advocated his candidacy be-
cause of the things he stood for.
made speeches and met in joint de-
bate with the Representatives of his
opponents in both his races for gov
ernor One of the main issues as
presented his candidacy to the peo-
pie was that the people were entitled
to recognition. We denounced one
man control or rule; we prayed a
voice in government.
To whom should the supporters
of Governor Smith or Senator Terrell
submit their claims? In any other
instance the reply would be from
every patriotic man, to the people.
This will be the last time in the
history of Georgia that the candida
cy of any man will be countenanced
who does not favor the election of
officers by the people.
'The democratic party is suppos-
ed to represent the will of the peO-
pie. Through the democratic party
the citizen is supposed to find ex-
preston of his rights.
THE democratic executive com
mittee is the source through which
demand is made in behalf of the par
ty. Through this medium orderly
expression at the ballot box is di-
rected. This medium should not
represent the will or candidacy of
any one man; but it should execute
platforms and dictates of the demo-
cratic party This committee an
nounces to the people the creed I'M
der which the party suggests that
the people live and be governed
'The selfishness which prompts
any one man to desire that an end
be reached which is easiest and most
sure to his ambition should be fore
ed aside by the executive committee.
The method which is in keeping with
the rights of the whole people should
be employed Certainly the dictate
of the party platform should impel
the committee.
eff l were a member of the COM
mittee and favored, as l do, the cleo
ton of my senator by the people I
certainly would urge that the people
be given a chance to do so.
eff / were a member of the COM
mittee and my party platform favor
ed the election of senators by the
people l certainly would urge that
this opportunity be given the people.
If / were elected a member of this
committee and was not in sympa-
thy with the direction of the plat
form Of the party electing me
would resign.
''The chairman of the executive
committee is either favorable or I'M
favorable to the election of senator's
by the people. If he is not 1avora-
BILE to this method of electing sena-
tors his party platform upon which
he stands is favorable. What should
he do? If he is not favorable to this