The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-02-05
Says Committee Should RecOnVene and ReScind ObeC
tiOnable Features Of Resolutions
Says IF Committee Desires So Radical Changes in Party
Tests It Should Be Submitted To Vote Of
Party In the Primary

been subjected to the new test eovsred
by Sections and Of the committee
resolution.
Not member Of your Committee was
elected upon an issue OF adding to the
long established standards for a Demo-
cratic, new and radical requirements.
Since your election the Democracy OF
Florida has not recorded itself IN favor
of such additional test. Since the days
of Jefferson the Democratic party has
never either In convention or at the
polls adopted such requirements OF a
Democrat / submit that n some OF
the Party now think that such tests
should be required, that the PARTY AS
A WHOLE SHOULD BE CONSULTED;
the viii Of a majority OF the white
Democrats should settle as to whether
or not this decided and new policy
shall be made a Democratic policy in
Florida. TT IS NOT PROPER OR
DEMOCRATIC THAT A FEW MEN
SHOULD DETERMINE FOR THE EN-
TIRE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF FLOR
IDA, THE QUESTIONS INVOLVED.
recall that when the state Demo-
cratic Committee q few years ago was
urged by some to cali a State Democra-
tic Convention to formulate a State
Democratic platform, the Committee
very QEupGTAy LUX AAA6 poaANA1AA AAAesN
this question involved a policy which
should not be settled by the Committee
but by the members Of the Party. The
question was submitted for the consid-
GRAFTON OF the Party in It's Primary and
defeated at the polls.
AS was true in giving the members
Of the Party a hearing upon the cues
ton of a State Convention and being
governed by the win Of the majority as
voiced at the polls, the Committee
should now reconvene, and so amend its
former action that the white Democrat
10 voters may record their voice at the
polls as to whether or not the new and
additional tests as embraced in SEQ
tons four and FIVE OF the Committees
resolution should be adopted as a DEM
ocratio policy in this State. If It is
desired that this question shall be passed
upon, the Party should settle It. IF
MAJORITY OF OUR DEMOCRATS
FAVOR SUCH TESTS THEY CAN
ADOPT THEM; IF THEY OPPOSE
THEM. THEY CAN REJECT THEM.
rs 1T RIGHT, Is 1T DEMOCRATIC,
for thirty-four men to settle the oues-
tons involved without giving the nom
bers Of the party they represent an OPP
portunity to voice their will7 I think
not, and believe a large majority Of
the Democrats Of Florida think not,
Judging from the expressions OF the
press and a very large number OF Dem
ocrats in opposition to the committees
action. This opposition to the commit
tees action Is in no wise confined to
members Of the orders at which the few
back Of the Resolution claimed the new
tests were aimed. I am not a member
Of any Of these orders; a large majority
of the Democrats who have expressed to
me by letter and verbally their opposl-
ton to the committees action are IN
no wise affiliated with these orders.
THE COMMITTEE ACTED IN THE
FIRST PLACE AT THE JUSTIFICATION
OF NOT EXCEEDING Al DOZEN MEN.
TODAY THOUSANDS UPON THOUS-
ANDS OF DEMOCRATS APPEAL TO
YOUR COMMITTEE FOR A HEAR
ING, FOR YOU TO SUBMIT TO THE
WHITE DEMOCRATS OF FLORIDA
FOR SETTLEMENT AT THE POLLS
AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THESE
NEW TESTS SHOULD BE MADE
PARTY LAW CAN THOSE WHO
FAVOR THE TESTS OPPOSE THE
NATTER BEING SETTLED AT THE
POLLS?
In my opinion the State Committee
will render great service to the Demo-
cratic Party OF Florida IL IL will recon-
vene at an early date, rescind sections
four and five Of its resolutions and ar
range for these new tests as set forth
lots TO be used in the June Primary for
ratification or rejection by a majority
Of the white Democrats OF Florida.
who may qualify as Democrats under
the requirements OF sections one, two
and three of the Committee Resolution.
which is all that has ever heretofore
been required of those voting IN the
Democratic Primaries.
wish to assure you that I do not
attribute to any member Of the Commit
tee any improper motive IN connection
with this matter, but feel that the mis-
take was made entirely on account OF a
rush Of business and the lack Of oppor-
tunity to give the objectionable features
Of the resolution the deliberate and
mature consideration which was neoes-
sary to fully appreciate their purport
and far-reaching erect
Very truly yours,
PARK TRANTAdELL
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