The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-11-29
Politics, People, PersifIage
Comment on Subjects in Which You
May or May Not Be Interested. About
People You Know and Ought to Know
BY BRYAN MACK

am giving all Of my column today to
a contributor who is dissatisfied with the
Bryan primary law, and the hardship
that is imposed upon a person who seeks
a correct count of the ballots when he
believes fraud has been committed.
This letter Is from Ira Sanborn, who
resides in Liberty county. Personally,
| believe the Bryan primary law is better
than the old method of having two pri-
maries, but there is a great deal of com
plant against 1t.
There is opportunity for fraud under
our present system of holding elections
where dishonest election officers may
happen to be selected, for there is no
central body to recount the ballots. On
the other hand, there is an old unwritten
rule in Florida against going behind the
returns.
Mr.. Sanborn asks me to answer his
problem. but at this time I won't take
the space. From time to time, however
shall try to discuss the election laws
in such a manner that we may find tho
flaws, and, if possible, work with the
members OF the legislature to give this
state the best election laws possible.
The letter follows:
"Sanborn, Fla, Nov. "a, 1922.
Pensacola Journal
Pensacola, Fla.
Dear Sir:
II have been reading, with a great
deal of interest your pert, pointed and
pleasant paragraphs in your three P's
column, Politics, People and Persifage.'
Twenty years ago there was quite an
extensive advertising of the p. p. 2. on
fences, telephone poles, newspapers and
magazines. These three P's cured, make
the weak vigorous, hence made many
happy, was the claim. If you keep up
your present lick, your three P column
will grow more famous.
You have invited suggestions for |
your column to discuss and as your first |
P is Politics, If you will unraveI this |
conundrum for me will appreciate 1t. |
The democratic party Of Florida, since |
the famous Bryan (not Bryan Mack) |
primary law was enacted, convenes about |
once in every two years, for what?
Years that elections are to be held. !
every state candidate is assessed 1 per
cent of the first years compensation,
county candidates 1 per cent in some
counties and 2 per cent in other counties,
for what benefit?
You must pay the clerk of circuit
court If you are a county candidate per
cent Of the first years compensation to
get your name printed on the ticket.
The democratic party serves you no fur
Their, after collecting the money from
you. County commissioners appoint the
inspectors and clerk for each precinct
and the returns go to supervisor Of reg
iStration and county judge and when all
in these two, with chairman board coun-
ty commissioners, convene and canvass
the returns, as sent in from each pre-
cinct.
The ballot box is supposed to remain |
intact in the custody of supervisor of
registration until the next election, I'M |
less there is an order from judge Of the |
circuit court, which is very expensive
for a candidate. Unless he is willing to
put up the cash to the extent of more
than a hundred dollars, he must submit, |
and then there IS chance of appeal to
supreme court and that backs most OF |
them out and creates a question in the !
minds Of many II there has been fair |
play. The purported nominee, of course |
objects to and secures tho best Of coun-
sci to fight through the courts and the |
period of time is so short from the pri- |
mary until names must be certified to !
proper officials to get on the general |
election ticket. causes the commonly :
called independents.
when the county democratic execu- |
tive committee, with one member from |
every voting precinct in the county, |
elected in every primary. had some |
power, they endorsed applicants for any |
that occurred in the county and |
their recommendations We're recognized |
They appointed the inspectors and clerk /
for She primary and now why rot enact !:
a law giving them the same power and