New-York tribune., 1870-04-23
VOTING BY BALLOT

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN JOHN STUART MILL
AND HORACE GREELEY.
The following is the correspondence between
John stuart MILL David Watson, and Horace Greeley on
the subject of voting by ballot referred to in cable dis
patch few days ago. ,o,.
DEAR SIR: You are aware OF the favor with which the
majority OF the popular party in Great Britain regard
the by ballot at Parliamentary elections as means
restraining bribery and intimidation, and the lncrd
interest which this question has assumed through tno
recent extension Of the suffrage The writer OF the IN
closed letter. and OF his friends are anxious TO 90
tain information that be depended respecting no
practical working of vote by ballot in the countries
which it exists by law. Their own opinion Ike mine,
unfavorable TO it, but their desire is TO find the rulh
whatever it may be; and the vague impressions cnron'
in Europe, give no real knowledge Of the ballot ~
America itexists by law, much less OF the ouo
in which it Is actually conducted and the ads s
and disadvantages which are found practice 10 attend
it, You would oblige me very much and Will do soms
public service, II you could kindly supply my % oc,ss
or refer him 10 any source from which he would procure
it. am, dear Sir very truly yours, j. o. MIL
eTEvIor CRESCENT, HAwIcK y. B., Nov. 8, lSJ On,
SIR: The incosed letter from Mr. D. ;. MIL VIII IuR
explain why take the liberty OF addressing you snsh
not therefore take up your time by engthened o"
respectfully refer you to the annexed series Oh
tions indicating the particular points which occurred W
most prominent and VITAL and shall feel gia g
YOU TO give shall be glad if you will correct ths
queries where inappicable or supply any onS . se "a
arrive at knowledge Of the particular evils which ,h:
ballot intended to cure or prevent ana GI sv now r
cuSe the tr0uDie feHiAH' 'o"'' resp DAVID WATSON
How long has a BY ballot been in und What asS
stances adopted and what system ana s1periei hls
puory-how the votes given and Iesor,edf,!s ,asr -
secrrc or sny ocs cognant OF the vote Are the Son
sroas conceang opinions and votes e there any 81
Intimidation other have most enect on tue vote
the fully from these or = yhs. PSnt' % r, 80,
they intelligent and apparently s~sye1 on T 90
has bad developing their pesert charsenss g. Do yoa
open voting best the expression q the electors ~ az
screened the healthy influence OF public opinion
NEw-YoRK TRIBUNE, NEwloR Dec - lss l.
DEAR SIR: make the following brief replies W 'o1
questions: . .,o.,io,s-
AT least since independent people liz iIs
ballots generally printed but may be WHICH oers
partly. No vote can be cast otherwise. SOM nnt
are desrous OF conceahng their choice OF candiuaF
these are very few-nOt five per cent or Ihe nn VIZ
Nearly all walk up 10 the voedistrbutrs OF ther R nr
take the ballots from their hands IN sght OF AL a. s shc
sent them 10 the Inspectors Of Election Inc Ic"
wish to conceal their preference, presume gh rsI
succeed in doing by bringing their ballots " IT, Of
The ballot is barrier to corruption as he tbs
his vote Is generally scoundrel who VIII cnes ,s..
buyer II he can, and the buyer Is rarely qulE ss
that he will not be cheated l th,hn thnuSS N" thers
are affected by intmidaon, ,SS sotbern Baeks lately
emancipated II the ballot falls 10 prors, ,en,snt
from intimidation IL is because the label OF TIA
on the back generally indicates 70 oose @ ntsrs ae
duced by money 10 vote contrary To thsir ,Srnnt
but many ignorant, especially among the ins M con
troled by the possession or the promise OF thas
or market stand, liquor license, &C., Sc aSum apm,t q
their morality is affected either way py tnc s @ erl
our voting is generally open, though II mlgnt
n any one desired think there would pe % =. vs
IL we voted rra roce but probably less corrupo s,psi
all politicians, and any one VINO 'n,iop vo,SJ op'
MS party "ouiY Yo.rs M s"" HORACE GRssLEr'
j. STUART Mill, esq, London, England