The Tupelo journal., 1911-07-14

| every other dollar in the markets of the
world?" This was lost by a tie vote
and the question adopted as originally
conceived. Stone Immediately with
drew.
/ believe all the candidates were anx-
ious for the caucus, and none more so
than Gov. Vardaman. Before the eau
Gus met he said he was absolutely GER
tain of eighty-five votes on the first
ballot and. if Dunn of Lauderdale did
rot enter the race, he would be nomi-
mated the first night. Dunn did not
enter.
Clear Majority Against Vardaman.
| have never known the golden rule
applied in a political caucus or conven-
ton. The majority adopt rules to suit
the majority. | believe the ballot was
adopted as the best means of uniting
the opposition to Vardaman, and not to
take the votes from him, while some
voted for it because it was following a
Democratic precedent. Every test vote
showed there was a clear majority
against Vardaman. There was jealousy
and friction between the other candi-
dates, and some of the tactics played
against each other deceived Vardaman's
friends. The followers of some of the
candidates created the impression that
when their favorite was dropped they
would go to Vardaman and elect him.
This may not have been sincere, but it
was politics.
The house vas very nearly equally
divided for and against Vardaman.
There were true and good men on both
sides. Some voted for a ballot and
some did not. If the opponents of
Vardaman had thought a viva voce vote
was necessary to defeat him, they
would have voted for it.. If Vardaman
and his friends had believed a secret
ballot best for him. they would have
supported it. | am not a mind reader,
and only speak from experience. The
members of the legislature of 1910 were
ordinary human beings, and the more
any oneof them parades his own virtues
the more he will bear watching.
That Vardaman should desire an open
vote is perfectly natural. He had at
his back from counties that voted
against him, senators from Washing
ton, Kinds, Quitman and Lauderdale,
and representatives from Kinds, Han
cock, Harrison, Jackson, Clark, Tunica,
Forest and others. By bringing pres
sure to bear from other counties that
had voted for him, his chances would
be improved. In appeals to members
to represent their constituents, it de-
pended on whose o. vas gored.
was present at every session of the
caucus. 1t was no more a secret eau
Gus than the one in 1894, in which Gov.
Vardaman and | both took part. AT
that time Coy. Stone, Judge Campbell,
Gov Lowry, John Allen, Anse Nc
Laurin n r. H. Taylor were candi-
dates. Following the action Of all eau
cuses and conventions, it vas the field
against the leading candidate. This is
the result of enmity, but of per-
sonal interest, each of the weaker
candidates thinking he would be bene-
fitted in the defeat of the stronger
man.
After a few ballots Allen withdrew,
leaving McLaurin, Campbell and Tay-
ior in the race. 1t was then the field
against MeLaurin and the second COM
bination was formed.
A caucus of the friends of Lowry,
Campbell and Taylor was held in the
supreme courtroom and a resolution
was adopted pledging each member to
vote in the general caucus for the nom
inee Of this side caucus. The decision
was reached by requiring each member
to vote for two candidates-frst choice
and second choice. After adding first
and second choice votes together, the
lowest was dropped. On the second
ballot Taylor was nominated by this
side caucus, but was defeated by Nc
Laurin in the general aucus The
voting in all the caucuses was by ballot
just as was that of 1910.
Resolution of 1910 Not Binding.
In the caucus of 1894 the following
resolution was UNANIMOUSLY adopted:
Resolved, by the Democratic men,
bers of the Mississippi legislature, in
caucus assembled, That we pledge
ourselves, individually and collectively,
that no election of senator shall occur
in the two houses, or in joint conven-
ton until a nomination is made by this
caucus. and if no nomination is made
before the time for voting begins. we
will so distribute our votes in either
house or in joint convention as to pre-
rent any oae candidate from a major