The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1913-11-21
THE PRIMARY LAW
AND DIXIE.

AND DIXIE.
The Palatka News doesn't like t.
take issue with Dixie, or the Charli
Jones of its staff, or any other maj
who bears the mark and brand OF |
progressive democrat.
But when this aggressive progress
sive publication tells us that under tn,
Bryan Primary law "these specia
registration officers will cost the tal
payer an enormous sum of money!
this paper is just obliged to dissent.
Under the old primary law thereg
istration books were opened in eacI
precinct two or three days a week fol
several weeks-EVERY TWO
YEARS. Some business men central.
ly located in the precinct has usually
been appointed to act as such pre-,
cnct registration officer That same
plan will be pursued under the new
law To be sure the registration off,
Ger will have more to do, but his pay
per day will be no greater. Under
the old law he enjoyed a sinecure;
under the new he will do something
to earn his money.
Under The old system voter once
registered, was always registered Re-
moval and death alone caused his
name to he stricken from the list. The
old list was becoming mixed 1t con-
tanned the names of too many non
democratic voters. These non-demo-
cratic voters were becoming TOO
MUCH OF A POWER in determining
democratic policy and in naming
democratic candidates. There was a
demand for change-a demand that
democrats only be placed on guard.
That demand neceSsitated a new pri-
mary law, and the Bryan bill reulted.
1t is not perfect law. There are no
perfect laws outside the Ten Com
mandments and the Golden Rule.
But the Bryan law, as amended
through the foresight of Gov. Park
Irammell, is about as good as any
cody of men in or out of the legisla-
cure could formulate.
1t seeks to purge the democratic par.
" in Florida of republican, bull moose
and buccaneering influences. To do
this will require a re-registering of all
voters. And voter is not only re-
luired to register his name, but his
party affiliations as well.
Men sometimes change their party
affiliations. We hope in Florida in
The years to come and in view of the
heavy immigration from states in
The north, by wise administration Of
State affairs and view of non-demo-
cratic hosts native to this state, to
enable many of these non-democrats
70 see the error of their former WAYS
and become democrats. In other
words, to persuade them to Join the
White mans party ana assist in the
work of maintaining a white mans
party in this state,lather than a mon
grel party such as was in control
When we democrats took hold in 1876.
The News believes that all demo-
rats will lend their ready assistance
% this plan-to this law which seeks
20 place democratic primaries in con-
yrol of democrats.
Dixie wants a special session of the
legislature to change this law so that
voters will not be obliged to register
every two years. An extra session is
Unnecessary. The registration takes
place this winter and spring. Before
second registration is necessary I'M
jer the law the legislature will meet
n regular session, when if there is 4
iemand for change, it can be made.
AS amended by Gov. Trammell the
5ryan primary law is all right, at
east until the next meeting of the
legislature in 1915. Then, the Palat-
IA News believes with Gov. Trammell
hat some important changes can be
made with profit to the registering
eatureS Of the law.
Yes, the administration of this law
vii cost something, and that cost will
ONE out of the tax payers as it did
nder the old system. But in this
aSe we will be getting something for
ur money; we will separate the sheen
rom the present homogeneous mix
ure.
There have been eminent men and
therS not so much so in Palatka this
EEK prating loudly about water who
5 a matter Of fact are comparative
trangers to it.
----------s-