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Show THE PRIMARIES T0NIQHT. We regTet to see that Mr. J. U. El-dredge, El-dredge, Jr., secretary of the Republican County Committee, has seen fit to Issuo Instructions to the election district chairmen of this city as to the manner of holding the primaries or caucuses tonight. It Is especially regretable that he should have embodied in those Instructions In-structions a specific statement that "all persons over twenty-one years of age who desire to vote between tho hours mentioned "8 and 9 p. m. must be given the opportunity." This does not exclude Domocrats, nonresidents, non-residents, or aliens; but any chairman following the instructions sent by Mr. Eldrcdge who would allow other than Republicans who arc legal voters to vote at such primaries would make a grave mistake. None but Republicans who are rightful voters have any claim to vote at Republican primaries. We prefer to believe that theso peremptory per-emptory Instructions (the word "must" occurs with autocratic frequency) were sent out thoughtlessly rather than through any desire to make trouble or stir up strife. But certainly no one fa entitled to say to a Republican primary or caucus that it "must" do thus and so, or to command the district committee commit-tee to do one thing or another. The County Committee went rather beyond the limit, in our Judgment, in directing that the election districts elect delegates direct to the State convention. For tho secretary of that committee to step in and order that these primaries be conducted In such manner as he chooses Is an Invasion of district privileges privi-leges that has no warrant. When the primaries are assembled to- night, those present will be at perfect liberty to direct the procedure they will take. All should be Cpcn and above-beard, above-beard, and every Republican bo given an erjual and thorough opportunity to express his will by his ballot. There must be no dictation, and no attempt to override the will of Republicans by the votes of any not authorized to vote at a Republican primary or at the polls. |