Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-03-06
Senator Lee Issues A Warning.

United States Senator Blair Lee has
issued warning to the Legislature against
the proposed change in the date of holding
primary elections in this State, provided
for in bill that has now passed to its
third-reading stage in the Senate.
In statement Senator Lee points to the
fact that such change as proposed is
virtually a notice to the farmers of the
State that they are not expected to par
ticipate in Democratic primaries To hold
a spring primary, the Senator insists. is
to practically bar very large element of
the party from such elections. He hopes
that this matter will be carefully considered
before it is finally acted upon.
In his statement Senator Lee says:
Il wish to give word of warning against
any weakening of the Primary Election
law.
There is bill now on the Undertaking
file in the Senate of Maryland which pro-
poses to change the date Of holding primary
elections throughout the State other than
Presidential years, and which fixes date
not later than June l, unless the State
Central Committees of the leading political
parties agree on an earlier date.
This is a serious and significant pro-
posed change. 1t practically says to the
busy farmer and all Of those in the coun-
ties whose labor is greatest in the opening
of the summer season, Your participation
in the councils of the Democratic party is
not desirable and date has been selected
that will make ii hard for you busy men
to take part in choosing county and State
candidates. And it says to the candidates.
especially those running on some public
issue, You shall have no fair opportunity
to discuss the issues before the voters and
meet them face TO face
''In the former days the Central Commit
tees in the various counties of the State
and in Baltimore city were free to fix the
dates in their respective Jurisdiction. but
the Statewide Primary law involved the
fixing Of a single date best suited to the
voters in every section of the State. When
the matter came up for discussion in the
preparation of the last amendments to the
present Primary law. 1t was agreed, after
the fullest discussion with representatives
from every section of the State, that the
dates fixed in the law. September 8 to is,
was the most available period for Balti.
more city and the counties Of the State
considered as a whole and would insure
the largest possible attendance at the polls
in all past discussions Of this matter the
question at issue has been as to whether
the primaries should be held in the late
summer or in the fall. Objection was made
10 late summer primaries because IL was
conceded that, although best suited to the
counties. thousands Of voters Of Baltimore
city would be absent on vacation at that
season. And objection came from the coun-
ties to an early summer primary on the
ground that the great mass Of the farmers
were at that time busily engaged in various
kinds Of farm work, which would render il
impossible to make an intelligent cam
paien on public issues before the primaries
or to secure a full attendance at the polls
at the conclusion Of an early summer or
spring primary campaign.
THE pending bill. however, is practically
a proposition for a spring primary. and it
is important that attention now be called
TO the necessary effect Of holding primaries
at such season OF the year. more than