Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-10-31
COUNTY UNIT PLAN
WILL CONTROL IN
/ GOVERNORS RACE
State Committee Decides
Unanimously to Have PIu-
rality of Whole Delegated
Vote Nominate in Primary

The state Democratic executive COM
mittee Thursday afternoon formally
nxed December as the date for the
special gubernatoriaI primary and
adopted rules for its regulation The
action OF the committee was harmonious
as TO the date and rules. not q dis
senting voice being raised In the COM
mitee. whose work was characterized
By an open frankness seldom seen In
Georgia politics
The rules were formulated by SUBJ
committee OF seven members. which
threw open its doors. that the public
might hear its deliberations and that the
gubernatorfaI candidates themselves. or
their representatives. might. II they
cared TO. appear In person to advise
with the committee concerning the rules.
A number Of prominent citizens did avail
themselves OF the opportunity of being
heard and their suggestions were given
close and careful consideration.
Although the committee invited ad-
vice and suggestions. no one appeared
TO urge the submission Of the prohibI-
ton euesuon as a separate issue at the
primary. and ex-Gov. Joseph NJ. Browns
proposition was defeated Only Commit
teen4n Pleasant A SrovaH. of savan-
nah. voted for the submission of the
question ttN -
HAD. NO SUPPORT.
Il was expected. in view OF the insist
ence with which the ex-governor and
his campaign manager have urged the
novel suggestion, lhat some OF his
friends would at least come before the
committee TO lend 20 the proposal their
verbal support. but not q single man OF
xhe large number OF interested citizens
present raised his voice in its support.
during its consideration In the sub-com-
mttee. subsequently, In the whole COM
mirtee, Mr.. StovalI was the only men,
Der 20 advocate its adoption. and even
be agreed that he prohibition question
has already been made 8 paramount
issue OF the campaign
The proposal thai the choice of q
presidential candidate for the Democrat
&c nomination be submitted TO the peo-
pie was not finally acted upon at Thurs
days meeting Of the committee. II was
deferred until the COMMITTEES meets on
December Il. when It Is possible plans
for the submission OF the question may
be adopted
PLURALITY PLAN ADOPTED.
The rules for the government Of the
primary are "a simple as It was possible
20 make them In this RESPECT they
present . striking contrast 10 the rules
for the government OF the last gubsr-
material primary, when the then state
committees adopted the cumbersome and
complicatsd ''pro-rating rule which
raised such a storm OF protest
IL Is provided that the candidate re-
ceiving the largest vote Of any county
a plurality OF the whole-shan be entitled
70 the delegated vote CT that county
twice as many votes as the county has
members in the lover house Of the gem
eral ASSEMBLY. Upon a consolidation OF
these delegated votes, by the state COM
miftee. the candidate who mas received
a plurality Of the whole shall be de-
clared the nominee OF the party.
In q word. the longest pole gets the
persimmon-"
The adoption OF this rule does away
with the Objectionable convention. and
makes IL impossible 10 defeat the people 5
viii in a convention through trading and
trafficing. The Democratic party OF
the state is unalterably opposed 10 a con-
ventdon. and the state cvmmitte hewed
squarely 70 the line OF the last platform
in eliminating this objectionable feature
OF past primaries.
AS a matter Of fact. there Is neither
rhyme nor reason for a state conven-
ton for the special primary. All Of the
candidates have. or VIII have. announced
their platforms.
: BOILERS NOT PUNISHED.
The sentiment Of the tsate committee
was unanimously in favor OF refraining
for disciplining the men who bolted the
last primary and voted for Ex-Governor
Brown as an Independent candidate
against the regular nominee. All Demo-
Gratis who will agree 70 abide the result
OF the primary are invited to partici-
pate IN the nomination
An assessment Of $50 was levied
against each gubernatorial candidate and
an assessment of SO against each candi-
date for commissioner of commerce and
labor. This money win be used 10 pay
the cost OF printing sne tickets, tally
sheets. etc. and win be payable TO Sec
rotary c. NJ Hitch. on or before Novem-
Der Il. The candidate failing to meet this
assessment within the lime limit men,
toned win not have his name on the
ticket
The state committee called upon. the De-
n1ocracy and patriotism OF the county
committees TO arrange for the actual
conduct OF the primaries in their respect
i've counties. otherwise IL would have
been necessary 70 assess each OF the can
didafes $500 or s6o0a