Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-05-04
PRIMARY DATE FIXED.
september 18th is Named by State Demo-
cratic Committee at Last Nignps
Meeting tor Senatorial Contest.

cratic Committee at Last Nights
Meeting tor Senatorial Contest.
Stirred by recent hostile criticisms Of
the state democratic committee, which
have intlmated that that body used
or countenanced improper methods in
order to perpetuate the leading faction
ia power, Judge R. T. ". Duke, OF
Charlottesville. last night in the com
mittee meeting denounced the author
OF any such charge, as applied to him,
as wilful, deliberate and malicious
falsifer. Judge Duke read short
statement which he had written, 50 that
there might be no mistake about his
meaning. He was heartily applauded
by the members Of the committee.
Any man or set of men" read
Judge Duke, in voice which showed
his feeling and reflected his indigna-
ton, r care not who they are, who
say or insinuate in any way, shape or
form that I, as member OF this COM
mi,tee, have ever connived at or in any
way been party to anything or any
measure, not absolutely fairand square,
ia my judgment, to the best interest Of
the democratic party as | understand
that interest, or who say that | have
not always acted on my own Judgment,
or that ] have had knowledge OF or
been party to anything any gentle
man would have had reason to be
ashamed Of. utters wilful, malicious,
deliberate and baseless falsehood. "
Each candidate for the United States
Senate vas assessed S3, 900 to pay the ex-
penses OF the primary, the cost of which
vas estimated to exceed Sl2 900. \
complete plan was adopted for the con-
duct OF the primary election, which
carries the usual party pledge. Candl-
dates for the two different terms in the
United States Senate are 10 be voted CT
separately, and, in fact, no suggestion
was even made that all four names
should be placed together, and that the
voter should be permitted 10 vote for
any two.
In accordance with the party plan,
the dates OF September for the prl-
mary. and of June for the filing of
notices Of candidacy, were adopted.
Resolutions coming from the NIr-
ginia Democratic League we're quickly
disposed Of. One Of these was Intended
10 define under what circumstances
and with what qualifications republi-
cans might participate in democratic
primaries, and was voted down With
practical unanimty. Another would
have allowed any two candidates for
the United States Senate TO name one
Of the Judges of election at each pre-
cinct. The latter was ruled out on a
point Of order.
On the subject Of republicans voting
in democratic primaries, it was the
sense Of the committee that the body
had no right to add to or modify the
party law as adopted in convention,
but determined instead to merely en-
phasize upon the judges the import
ance OF observing the letter OF that law.
There was some argument over these
matters, but the meeting, with the eS-
ception Of the vigorous protest Of Judge
Duke, which was really the feature Of
the proceedings, vas rather quiet
throughout.
Thirty four OF ths fifty members Of
the committee were in attendance when
State Chairman J. Taylor EiIyson
called the meeting to order y num-
Der Of prominent democrats from dlf-
ferent points in the state were seated
outside Of the railing.