The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-05
PRIMARY DRAGS
AS CITIZENS VOTE
IN MISSISSIPPI

JACKSON, Miss, Aug. 8. (Spl.)-
Democratic primary election day in
Mississippi dawned with weather con-
ditions unsettled, and showers reported
from several sections Of the state. II
Is not believed, however, that the
showers and thunderstorms win keep
any considerable number Of voters away
from the polls. While a rather light
vote Is expected, 1t will be due chiefly
to lack Of Interest in the political con-
tests.
At some Of the polling precincts a
late start was secured, owing to the
failure OF some Of the judges and clerks
failing to report for uuty, n execu-
tive committeeman were busy getting
substitutes.
The polls opened at Q o'clock and
clncts the work Of tapulating the re-
turns will start before the polls close.
The latest and seemingly the most
popular forecast In regard TO the guber-
material contest is that Che four can.
didates, Johnston, Longino, Russell and
Collins, will have a neck-and-neck I'm
ish, and 1t may require the official
count to determine the two aspirants
who Will go before the people In he
second primary three weeks hence.
The uncertainty Of the result Is rather
conclusively proven by the fact that
very few wagers have been placed, Per
sons who are inclined to back their
judgment with their money frankly ad-
NIT that It Is a hard race to figure out,
and one wherein 1t Is not easy to lind
a betting proposition.
During the closing days OF the cam
paign some rather unpleasant peISon-
aIities have been exchanged, especially
hntVFanF tho InFaUinn aud RrugpIl RAJ n
paign bureaus, and between Gov. Bilbo
and Attorney-General Collins. AS a
rule, In g~ubernatorial campaigns In this
state, personalities start early in the
game and continue until the closing
hour. In all general respects, however,
the fight for governor has been on a
rather dignified plane. The voters, as
a rule, have not given serious atten-
ton to platform or issues, and when
they go to the polls today 1t will be
largely a matter of personal choice,
with the old factional lines cutting con-
siderable figure in tho ballotlng,
Soldiers to Front.
1t is expected that practically three
fourths OF the members Of the new
Mississippi legislature will be chosen
in today's primary. leaving only n few
contests to be settled at the second
event three weeks hence,
IAb nullDeF Oh legislative C~hluluhtes
In the fiel6 Is much smaller h usual,
even in the low counties, and the hill
counties where in former years from
four to eight candidates have fought
valiantly for zoe legislative seat,
One noteworthy feature Of the new
legislative body win be the large num-
Der Of former soldiers within its mem
bership. If the soldier-Candidates have
ordinarily good luck at the polls today,
there viii be at least 65 to rs mem
bers in the body who served with the
colors during the world war, and they
win be a formidable factor in sh[)lng
tho course Of legislation, The total
legislative membership Is 1872,
The only former soldier in the list
Of candidates for state office Is Lieut..
Oscar Johnston, of the tank corps,
whose friends are confident that he
will lead the ticket To-Day by a hand
some plurality.
The only gubernatorial asplrant in
the city during the forenoon was Elk
Gov. Longino, who makes his home
here. Johnston ia at Clarksdale, Col
Inns at Meridian and Russell at Oxford,
but tho trio expect to reach the capt.
tai tonight in time to get returns at
their headquarters.