The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-10
Apparatus for Taking, Recording. and Printing
the Votes in Legislative Bodies

Many attempts have been made to enable the
members OF legislative and other deliberative
bodies to vote by the aid of mechanical con-
triyances; but none Of them, so far as we can
learn, have ever proved acceptable. The
PENNSYLVANIA Legislature is the only body we
remember 10 have adopted any OF the inven-
lions presented, and are informed that the
apparatus it procured is seldom never used.
This seems strange to The many who know the
length of time that is consumed in calling the
yeas and nays, in voting by tellers, &c, the
irlsomeness OF that task, the frequency of its
being avoided, even when desired, because of
the pressure of time and the many motives
that urge TO the use of some improved method
of accomplishing the purpose. But those who
are more familiar with the laborS of legislation
find little difficulty in comprchendng the reason
of the rejection of the various agencies offered.
They have been less satisfactory than the oral
method. Some of them, by printing or per
tOrating, prepare paper from which the Clerk
may read and record the votes and others, in
addition to this, indicate to the body the num-
Der Of votes given either side; but this is
not sufficient. The number II rotes east on
either SIDE, and by ,rhom they are east, must be
knorR TO all The members during The process o {
rofiag. Nothing less than this will answer the
desired purpose. In the language of dis
iinguished member Of the late Congress, "a
machine must articulate words before we can
use it TO vote for u.s." So long as legislative
bodies are composed OF men, Tor women either,
If you please y so long will this be the case /;
and so far from its being disparaging fact,
must regard it as directly the reverse.
Nothing is more proper than that honest men
should entertain respect for the opinions of each
other which is far different thing from a ser
vile Obedience Ia party dictation. So general,
al al 4
know the sentiments of their friends upon any
given subject, that few wish to vote without
this knowledge: and those who do act in total
disregard thereof are not unfrequently. and per-
haps not uni ustly, regarded as more independ-
cnt than wise. An apparatus, therefore, to be
acceptable and efficient, must make known to
all, as the work proceeds, the number of rotes
gireR, anil The SHE on srtich each member roies.
This is done only by the vocal response of yea
and nay aud no less satisfactory mode will be
adopted. The question then occurs, has any
equally satisfactory method of voting by ma
chinery been invented? We reply, that an inf
nitely mpre satisfactory means constitutes the
subject of a patent issued on the l0;l. of the
present month. from the United States Patent
Office, TO Mr.. Thomas c. Connolly, of this CITY,
We shall not attempt TO fully explain its molus
oJperandi, but will simply state that the names
of all the members of the body arc arranged in
n column, so that they can be distinctly read
by every member and spectator present. When
the signal tovote is given, each member moves
n little lever at his desk, and in an instant the
names in view are thrown into three columns,
each having IFS appropriate heading, the centre
column comprising the names of those who are
absent not voting. the left column COM
prising the yeas, and the right column the nays.
Two, three, four, or five minutes being agreed
upon as the time for voting, that time may be
consumed In examination of the whole vote
and in n change of votes by those who may
have erred, as some very often do, in their I'M
Outstanding of the nature of the question, and
of which change no record will be made Dur
ing the allotted time, members may come In
from committee-rooms and elsewhere and vote
Free conversation NAV also be INDUCED with
out defriment to the business or the order of
the House. At the expiration of this time the
presiding officer presses spring, which arrests
all further movement of the names and the re-
suit is then before the gaze of all. And now.
why need the Clerk read out the names? They
have been thoroughly inspected, and each voter
Is satisfied. But how shall the Clerk record
them by an unerring means, since the names
III view are all seen TO be changed in their posi-
ton and thrown into the centre column again?
We reply, an istallibEc permanent record is
made Gy the machine itself inst as the names
are arranged on tie large tatie already dc
scibod, Ly the same means are they a'Tdag-
ed on a printing apparatus an its rear, srh'ch,
Immediately after he cate Is completed, rs stri-
king Of enact copies of the rote at the rate IT
sscenfy per minute. These copies are handed
20 the recording clerks, 90 the reporters, and to
the members. And thus in three minutes may
be consumrnated in an entirely satisfactory
manner that which now occupies the United
States House Of Representatives from twenty
three 10 thirty minutes and which is ever, upon
the present plan, a wearisome and an unpleas-
ant task.--Aatio'at IRteiiigencer.
The mayors of several cities Of Maine have