The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1915-05-06

The primary convention which
was held in Madry's Opera House
Friday night for the nomination of
town officers, was the largest gath
ering Of voters ever held in Scotland
Neck. The convention was not
called until a few days ago, and be-
fore that time there was little talk
of a fight at the primary convention.
Following the call of Chairman H.
|. Clark, for this meeting Of the
Democratic voters living in Scotland
Neck there were quickly organized
two strong supporters for two
tickets for Commissioners, DR.. J.
(. Shields, the present Mayor en-
cumhent, being on both tickets.
At eight o'clock when the seating
capacity of the opera house was
taxed to it's utmost and standing
room was at premium with the
assembled voters, order was called
by DR.. Clark, who was made per-
manent chairman Of the convention
with Mr.. A. L. burlington as
secretary. Following the routine
on convention organization, DR.. j.
E. Shields was nominated Mayor by
acclimation. After this nominations
Tor tie four commissioners that are
to constitute the next alermanic
board were in order. After this
the ship of politics, which had been
sailing smoothly, encountered a
storm and was foundered on the
rocks. The convention, had it ad-
journed at this juncture, would
have accomplished as much as it
did, without stirring up the intense
feeling and partizanry that fol
lowed.
The question of the method Of
how the tickets should be voted
next came up. Mr.. A Paul Kitchin
proposed that every person present
should be given the opportunity to
vote for any one, two, three, or
four men that would be placed in
nomination. AS there were two
tickets with N. E. Winslow and N.
B. Josey on them, one ticket having
four men on it and the other hav-
ing six men on it. Mr. Kitchin
suggested that the man having the
ticket with six candidates on it
should be given the opportunity to
scratch off any two names he de-
sired and vote for any or al Of the
four remaining names on the
ticket. And he also proposed that
the man who held the ticket with
four names on it, if he chose the
four already on it to be allowed to
deposit this ticket without altera-
ton; but If there were candidates
appearing on the other ticket not
appearing On the one with four on
it to erase the name or names on
the four ticket and substitute there
for any names on the six ticket
that he desired This proposition
was endorsed by Mr.. Frank Shields
and Dr.. A. C. Liverman, gentlemen
: who were known to be favoring
men for commissioners that were
not Mr.. Kitchin's choice. Here is
where the lung lusters usurped the
time Of the convention. The chair
amid great confusion caused by the
Kissing and dowling OF Mr.. w. H.
White, who was constantly sputter-
ing and speaking on every question
came up, ruled that no other ticket
+ than the one containing the sia
, names could be officially counted
5 Before this vote, however, Rev. R
4 A. Mcfarland, pastor Of the Baptis
Church, arose and was reconized bJ
the chairman. Mr.. .aaMcFarland tolC
q the people that his earnest desire
/ was to have this. .conventi N pass OF
/ without turmoil or bitter feeling
He declared that men should b'
picked to govern the municipalit,
Of Scotland Neck, not because the,
belonged to any certain faction bu
:, becaue they had the interest Of th
town at heart and would govern i
: to the best of their ability, regard
/ less Of their political alliances. Ha
/ this minister of the gospel confine
i his speech to this medium Q
5 thought in advocating harmony an