Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1945-12-01
Vote In Primary


meeting that defiance of federal
law by the Committee would
subject its members to fine or
Imprisonment or both, and cause
confusion on election day.
The Committee asked City
Clerk A. G.. Smith to furnish
complete list of qualified voters
for the Election, which is ex-
pected to exceed $500.
The meeting was called by
| Chairman T. S. Nell at the in
Dudley and Committeeman Reese
Carnes of the LIST Ward. Mr.. Dud-
ley yesterday asked the Secre-
tary OF the Committee, Bryan
Lumpkin to meet him ard Mi
CarneS down town at which time
Mr. Dudley told Mr.. Lumpkin
that he and Mr.. Carnes were OF
the opinion that the law requires
that Negroes be allowed to vote
IN Democrat Primaries, Mr.
Dudley said that some provisions
should be made by the Commit
tee TO comply with the law. He
said the provision might be made
by subcommittee.
INFORMS CHAIRMAN
Secretary Lumpkin tn en- in
formed Chairman Nell that Mr..
Dudley and Mr.. Carnes believed
provisions should be made TO
permit qualified Negro voters 10
cast ballot in the Prl m ar
Chairman Nell, stating that ne
would not take any steps without
the authority of majority OF the
Committee, instructed Mr.. Lump
kin to call a meeting OF the whole
Committee for ten O'Clock Mon
day morning. Mr.. Lumpkin then
informed Mr.. Dudley OF the time
for the called meeting snd the
latter said he would 1e present
Subsequently MIR. Lrmpkin dis"
cussed the meeting with Com
mitteemen Ed Wier and Carnes
telling Mr.. Wier of the talk be-
tween Mr. CarneS, Mr.. Dudley
and Mr.. Lumpkir. earlier in the
day. Mr. Carnes confirmed what
Mr.. Dudley had saio in the ear
lier dicussion Mr.. Wier said he
would be out Of town Monday
morning but gave his proxy to
Mr.. Carnes. Mr.. Wier then call
ed T. W. Morton and told him
of the purpose OF the meeting and
asked that he send a proxy or be
present in person. Mr.. Morton
he would comply.
CARNES CONFIRMS STORY
AS the meeting opened this
morning Secretary Lumpkln relat-
ed his conversation with commit
teemen Dudley and Carnes on yes
terday and how Chairman Nell at
the suggestion of Mr.. Dudley, had
set in motion the steps leading to
the call meeting Mr.. Carnes, who
was present at the conversations
Yesterday confirmed what Secre-
! tarv Iumpkin related. Mr.. Lump
kin said that there are two courses
| this Committee can flow: 1t car
make provision for complying with
the law, in an orderly manner or II
can defy the law ana invite con-
| fusion"
Committeeman T. w. Morton
and Robert Hamilton both de-
cIared that it was the duty of the
Committee to make it possible for
the Primary to be held with the
least possible confusion in COM
pliance with the law. Mr.. Dudley,
who said yesterday Judge Davis
decision made it necessary for the
Committee to allow all registered
voters to cast ballots in the Primary
today said he was not so sure that
the u. S. District Courts ruling was
mandatory.
Mr.. Dudley advocated that the
Committee take no action at all
but a majority OF the Committee
contended that what the Commit
tee does or does not do cannot alter
the federal law. and that If the
Committee declined TO make pro
vision, IL might cause confusion
IL was asserted that the Commit
tee would be Sinking its respon
Sibility If Il closed its eyes to the
facts and refused 20 act in away
as TO conduct the Primary in an
orderly manner. 1T makes no
difference how We personally think
about this matter" Committee
man Morton declared. We must be
realistic and discharge or response
bility. And I believe 10 is our re-
sponsibility TO make it possible
for TINS Primary 10 be held withou
for this primary 10 he held without
confusion and friction
II was then pointed out that
Judge Davis sas the power to hold
the Committee members in COLI
tempt of court and TO fine and
I imprison them, or impose both
punishments, if the Committee
should fail to comply with the law.
WONT HOLD THE BAG"
Secretary Lumpkin pointed out
/ that the meeting today was not 10
decide who is qualified to vote, but
TO decide whether it would make
provision to comply with the feder-
al law, as suggested by Vice-Chair-
man Dudley. yesterday. Il want
the Committee to know" Mr.
Lumpkin said, that on the day OF
the Primary / am not going to act
for the Committee without specific
authority. 1 am not going to hold