Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-27
HOUSE ADOPTS THE NELL
PRIMARY BILL, liz TO 40
Representative Wright, of
Floyd, ASSaiIed Measure in
Vain-0ther Speakers

The Neill primary bill. which re-
quires political parties in Georgia to
hold all primaries in accordance with
the county unit system, was adopted in
the house Thursday morning by vote
of 112 to 40, after it had been vehe-
mently attacked by Representative Sea-
born Wright, of Floyd, for many years
a strong supporter of the county unit
system.
A substitute offered by Representative
Joe Hill Hall, of Bibb, was defeated by
vote of 100 to II.
The Nein bill is by Representative
Neill, of Muscogee county.
The debate which preceded its passage
was opened with the address by Repre-
sentative Seaborn Wright, in which
the bill was sternly arraigned.
Mr. Wright said that although he was
for a long while supporter of the coun-
ty unit system he has now come to
the conclusion that 1t is wrong because
it is a political instrument devised for
the purpose of furnishing the large cit
les and the voters who live therein.
He said that times he had been irri-
tated with Atlanta, Savannah and Au-
gusIa, but that he wasn't willing to
allow his personal disapproval of GER
tain practices in vogue in these cities
to influence him in favor Of a bill which
in It's last analysis is proposal to dis
franchise the white Democrats who are
citizens of those towns.
Mr. Wright declared that the Neill
bill is a larger Acknowledgement move
ment than was ever directed against
the negroes, and that 1t is aimed at
citizens who are not the enemies, but
are the friends and the fellow citizens
of the people in the small towns and
counties of the state.
APPLIED TO FULTON.
If the. county unit plan should be APP
piled to the taxes collected in Fulton
county, continued Representative
Wright, the county could keep at home
for the support fits own schools $685.
900 a year which it now pours into the
state treasury to be divided among its
smaller sisters in the family of Georgia
counties.
He said that Furthermore Fulton
county would be able to keep at home
to pay the pensions of it's own Confeder-
ate veterans and their widows, the sum
of 1854, 900 which the county now pours
into the state treasury to be divided
among the pensions of smaller counties
in the state.
Mr.. Wright declared that no party
can live when 1t deliberately imposes
wrong on one-class of its voters for the
benefit Of another class.
Ou mem DerS Oh the mousse may Jnlnk
am changeable," he exclaimed "and 7
am, because when I find a proposition is
wrong I am ready to kick out"
Under the county unit system. he
said. the vote of every citizen of Floyd
county is worth the vote of four citi-
zens in Fulton county The strength OF
some Of the smaller counties is so out
of proportion, under this system. he de-
clared, that to put the county unit sys-
tenn into effect would be equivalent to
DISTINGUISHING 5000 voters in Fulton.
IF I lived in very small county"
said Mr.. Wright l might vote for this
bill. But If l did so I would exercise
my power to disfranchise and Cypress
and take away the rights of my fellow
citizens. SO help me God I will not
do that"
CULPEPPER TALKS
Mr.. Floyd was followed by Represent
alive Culpepper, of Meriwether. who
spoke In support of the Neill bill Mr.
Culpepper said that the bill first OF all
establishes the county unit system of
holding primaries. That secondly 1t
puts All end to convention Juggling
which has become stencil IN the nos
trils Of all self-respecting citizens" he
declared.
BY unanimous consent Representative
Joe Hill Hail, of Bibb, who spoke at
length Wednesday in opposition to the