Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-08-17

bic from the telegraph Office here to the teie
graph office at Vaentia, Ireland, all rumors rep
resenting different state of things are untouhd
ed. Although it is not known, except 10 INT
electricians Immediately connected with Tile ca
ble, what progress is being made in WorAlne
Professor Warehouses; recording instruments
we hazard little in saying that it has oeen 1ouG'
as yet impossible to work them successfully. M
doubt, however, is entertained that the Aughe
invention. when ready, will overcome all DIN
cuties. Ii this is the case why is not Mr.
Hughes invention at once applied"
For the Spectator.
Messrs. Editors The new Constitution pro
vides that I'm all elections votes shall be giveI
openly or picG uoce and not by ballot, out GUN,
persons entitled to suffrage may vote oy oai0V.
This is very plain provision and easily uhoeF
stood. But we are told that it cant be carried
out to the letter, and ticket system has oeen
dopted which we are told carries out the splri
Of the Constitution and accommodates the PEG
pie This deny. :,
In all we'll ordered governments pains shouiC
be taken to keep the elective franchise pure ant
free from improper Influences. Some nave
thought the rice U0ce system best, whilst otheT
have thought the ballot system best. Inc az
vantages of the Uiue Udce system are that the Vo
ter is required openly to say tor whom ne VoIe
and cannot be intertered with whilst he Is Young
and notwithstanding there may be improper In
tiuences operating upon him, it is an open act
By the secret ballet system the voter can II M
viii free himself from the influence of others BY
putting in his ballot without any one knowing
how he votes.
What is the effect of the system we have
dopted9 1t is neither the one nor the other, on
partakes of all the evils of both without any
the good. 1t throws the Innocent, credulous an'
unsuspecting voter completely into the hands
the unscrupulous partizan, and enables him u
hold on until he has accomplished his purpose
He not only makes up his ticket for him, bu
follows him to see whether he votes it. Ih
voter hands it in and walks off the unthinklnt
tool or automatoI of another who has some 90
ject in view dear to himself. ;,
This system, Messrs. Editors, has been estao
lished, and there is no getting rid OF It wlthon
change in the Constitution. We have alread.
begun to reap the fruits of it. On the day o
our elections, and for several days thereafter
we hear men deploring the evils passing unde
their eyes, and are compelled to turn away VIII
perfect disgust, feeling pity for those VINO ar
willing to be made tools of and contempt 10
those who are willing to control the votes
their neighbors by improper appliances, Otter
with drink of grog and often with soihethins
far worse. One of two things ought to be done
either so alter the Constitution that the peopl
will have fewer officers to elect, or so alter as II
give us the ballot system in full l must COMES
| am in favor of the first We have acknowl
ed that we are overtasked, by the introduction
Of the present system; that we cant get, aloni
without the aid of pen, ink and paper-those o
us that can write-and those OF us that canno
are compelled to call in the aid of politicians u
instruct us who we shall vote for. love TN
people and want to see them relieved. OF sncl
magnitude do regard the evil referred to, tina
| wish to see the matter tested, and testeu q,
once. II there is disnterested patriotism enougl
left in the country, outsde of those who wan
TO lead and those willing to be lead, it can b.
done. If there is not, the sooner things com
TO an end the better would rather be rne'
by an Alexander or Napoleon than by irrespon
,ible, INSCRIPTIONS partlzans and politicians,
much Us | might dislike it. Y.