The Punta Gorda herald., 1916-01-13
A Resolution to Promote Riots

| 49, ASSSOANV1Oh w 4 lOlllObC IblOLS
! For years past, it has been tn
custom in this state to permi
; white men of any and all politica
, faiths to vote in the Democrat
primaries, the only restriction be
ing that they pledge themselve
to vote in the November election
for the nominees of the primaries
with the exception of the nationa
electoral ticket. That is to say
Republicans voting in the Demo
cratic primaries were not bounC
to support the national ticket
but they were bound tc
support the state and county
nominees. Florida Republicans
were and are just as much inter
ested as Democrats in securing
good government for state and
county; and as they did not run
any ticket Of their own for state
and county officers, it was fair
and right that they should partic-
ipate, under the restrictions nam
ed, in the Democratic primaries.
Now, however, the Bryan pri-
mary law excludes them; and, in
addition to the loss of their vote,
the State Democratic Executive
Committee has adopted rule
that will exclude ten to fifteen
thousand more. 1t is said that
the rule is aimed particularly at
the Guardians of Liberty and in
cldentally at all other secret DO
Iltlcal organizations. The rule a.
dopted by the committee, requires
the voter, if challenged, to swear
"Fifth-That he is not a mem
Der OF any secret organization
which attempts in any way to in
1uence political action or results
'r the obligations and purposes
'f which organization will iusti-
y him in refusing to support any
lominee Of the party"
The enforcement of that rule is
likely to exclude ten thousand or
more Democrats, one-third of |
whom reside in Jacksonville.
where the committee met. 1t is |
veil known that this one-third, if |
permitted to vote, will vote solid
y against Senator N. P. Bryan,
ecause he had a Roman Catholic
ltizen appointed postmaster of
Jacksonville, and it is believed
hat the other two-thirds are also
Olldly against Senator Bryan.
t, therefore, looks as if the rule
'ere adopted in the interest of
enator Bryan. The shrewd OBJ
1rVer may see in it the "fine Ital-
IN hand" of Hon. J. NJ. Bars,
ne of the famous "Three
rlends' Of the Stockton-Brow-
rd-Barrs cabal. Senator Bryan
the political protcgc of that ,
otcd group. I
If this Objectionable rule is rig {
lIy enforced, it may disrupt the i
lorlda Democratic party. Col. $
nderson of Jacksonville, the $
ate leader Of the Rooscveltian
rogresSives, already forsees the
reliability of nearly half of the I
emocratic voters hocking to his t
andard. +
Indications are growing strong c
that some Republican, or DOS h
bly, Progressive Machiavel has b
Sow2d the seeds of dis h
nslon in the Democratic party d
he organization of these secret v
ohtlcal societies and the adop- |,
on OF that fifth resolution by the n
ate committee, bOde no good S
II the party. o
The Herald, however, believes q
at the rule will not be enforced t
attempted il jacksonville or A
ampa, there may be serious trou- "
g. The restriction, therefore
light not inaptly be called a reg
alton to promote riots in Tam h
!, Jacksonville and other places e.
here these secret political So )
nties have become strong and Il
'termined. Il