The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1919-05-12
BINARY ELECTION LAW.

AS much is being said in and out of the press
about the compulsory primary election law, a
history of its origin may not prove undressing
at this time.
In his inaugural address to the joint assembly
of the legislature on January 16, 1900 (see Senate
Journal, page 92,) Governor Longino said:
The Importance of intelligent supremacy
in the government of the state is too obvious
to admit of discussion. 1t is equally obvious
that such supremacy must depend upon white
political unity. The results of general cleo
lions in the state have for a number of years
past been practically declared in advance by
nominations made by the white democrats.
But as the recollection of the political trou-
bles with the negro prior to 1875 grows old IN
the public mind the danger of a recurrence
of such troubles become less iminent, and as
the years go by the white people become more
and more impatient and displeased with the
dubious and devious methods of the party
nominating machinery, which differs in its
procedure according to the interest and views
of the party leaders in the different counties.
Such impotence among the white people, it
seems to me furnishes timely warnings, and
if we would perpetuate white political union,
the time appears opportune for the passage
of a uniform compulsory primary election
law for the state, with a provision that only
qualified electors shall vote in the primary
elections held Hereunder. Besides, even
though the signs of the times argue no dam
ger to wise government, the fact and impor-
lance or nominations Tor Offices, WHICH,
amounts practically to an election, as under
our present system, calls justly upon the law
makers of the state to give the people prl-
mary elections to be held in all the counties
on the same day in the state or the district
where elections are to be held, thus affordlng
to the voter an opportunity to cast his vote
freely without let or hindrance from the par
sty machinery, for the man or men of his
choice"
Apparently the convention methods Of NAL
ing nominations dominated the legislature Of 1906
At any rate, that session of the legislature di
not pass a compulsory primary election law: A
the special session of the legislature of 1902, 8
the constitution then existed nothing but revt
nue. and appropriation bills could be considere
unless brought to the attention of the legislator
by the governor, Governor Longino again put tn
compulsory primary election law squarely up
the legislature in the following words as show
by the Senate Journal of 1902, page AZ:
Il beg to call the attention of the legisla-
ture to the fact that the existing statutes on
the subject do not meet the constitutional re-
quirements or amount even to respectable
makeshift.
81 had the honor to direct your attention
strongly to this subject at your session in
1900, and l beg again to call attention to what
/ then said"
Senator Noel introduced the compulsory pr
mary election bill which passed. both houses of Il
1902 session, and Governor Longino, who hs
twice recommended such legislation, approved Il
bill on March 4, 1902, as is shown by the Sena
Journal, page 105.-Mississippi Tribune.