The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-05-06
STATE DEMOCRATIC
COMMITTEE
Senatorial Candidates Assessed
$4,000 Each.
PRIMARY EXPENSES WILL Be $4,000
Republican Participation in Primaries
Discussed, Etc.


Discussed, Etc.
Stirred By criticisms of the State
Democratic Committee. which have
intimated that that body counten-
anced improper methods in order 10
perpetuate the leading faction in
power. Judge X. I. W. Duke, OF
| Charlottesville, at the meeting OF
that body in Richmond "Wednesday
night denounced the author of any
such charge, as applied to him, as
wilful, deliberate and malicious ia
sitter. Judge Duke read a short
statement which he had written, so
that there might not be any
mistake about his meaning He was
heartily applauded by the members
of the committee.
Each candidate for |. ). Senate
was assessed $4,000 to pay the ex-
penses of the primary. the cost be-
ing estimated at $4,000. A COM
plete plan was adopted for the con
duct OF the primary election. which
carries the usual party pledge. Can
didates for the two different terms
/ in the United States Senate are 10
be voted on separately.
In accordance with the party plan
the dates of September I for the
primary and of June for the filing
/ OF notices OF candidacy. were adopt
ed.
Resolutions coming from the Nlr-
ginia Democratic League were DIS
posed of One of these was intend
ed to define under what circum-
stances and with what qualifications
Republicans might participate IN
Democratic primaries. and was voted
down with practical unaninity. An
mother would have allowed any two
candidates for the United states
Senate to name one OF the judges
of election at each precinct. The
later was ruled out on 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 10 add TO or
modify the party law as adopted in
convention. but determined instead
TO merely emphasize rpon the
judges the importance OF observing
the letter OF that law
Thirty-four OF the fifty members
of the committee wer2 in at
tendance when State Chairman J.
Taylor Ellyson called the meeting 10
order.
l. l.. Whitehead. of Amherst. Of
fered the following resOluiion.whic
rs adopted forms the rules for this
campaign:
Resolved. That the attention OF
the judges of election is especially
called 20 that portion of the plan
for primary election which de-
clares that only white Demo
Gratis are entitled to vote in the
primary election. and this commit
tee calls upon the said judges OF
election to rigidly enforce this
provision of the primary plan.
Mr.. Whitehead said he thought
emphasis on the party's plan was as
far as the committee could 30.
J. VI. Curtis. of Newport News. OF
fered a substitute resolution, which
after reciting the party plan and
saying that il has been alleged thai
Republicans have been voting III
Democratic local primar =. proceed
ed
That in Democratic primaries no
person shall be permitted to vote
for the candidates OF the democratic
party unless in the last next pre-
ceding general election n voted for
the presidential electors nominated
| by the Democratic party. or Tor the
nominee for the House of Represen-
tatiyes of that party. or for the
nominee of that party for Governor
or for the nominee OF that party for
the House of Delegates; provided
/ further. that if he did not vote at
such general election. then upon
/ his declaration that he will support
al the ensuing election the nomi-
nee or nominees of the Democratic
party. he shall be allowed to vote.
/ Col. +. d. Cole. Of Fredericksburg
opposed the substitute. He wanted
to know how the party could be
built up unless Republicans were ad
mitted He thought the oath TO
support the nominee ought to be
sufficient He was not, however. in
favor Of allowing Republicans to
come in Unfortunately.
Mr. Curtis thought a Republican
ought to prove himself a Democrat
by voting as such in general
elections. He did not believe it
right to allow Republicans to posi-
! bly control the situation
Would Change Law.
Robert Gillian, of Petersburg. ar
gued that the Curtis resolution
would make change in the party
plan. which the committee had no
right TO do.
The question being put on the
su bstitue, there were no votes for
it. On the second CALL Major r. A.
McIntire, of Warrenton, voted for
the Curtis proposition Mr. Curtis
said something about a recorded
vote, but it appeared that he came
in too late with it. The vote was
unanimously no, except for Mr..
McIntire.
Mr.. Curtis proposed that can
OludttH lOl inc I. .. t3Sho'N ohNN%N
be allowed to select a judge OF cleo
ton. or that any two candidates
could select one judge. This went
over on a point of order that the
party plan provides that judges shall
be chosen by the County Committees
Mr.. Gillian then offered a de-
tailed primary plan. which deals
with the manner of holding the cleo
ton. Candidates shall specify which
term they aspire to. Poll books are
to be furnished by the State chair
man and tickets by the local com
mittees. Any voter may be aided
by any judge selected by him.
On the question of assessment,
Chairman Ellyson reported that
number OF counties had not replied
to his request for information as to
the amount of money needed. Civ
ing them the same amounts they
had at the last primary. the total
cost would be $12, 263.45. counting
$500 for headquarters expenses, such
as printing. postage. stationery. stem
ographers and poll books.
Clyde w. Saunders, OF Richmond
moved that the assessment be made
$1,000 on each candidate. so as ito
produce $1,000.
Col. Cole moved that the amount
be made $4,000 each, which was fl
nally agreed to, Mr.. Saunders ac-
cepting the substitute. The Gillian