Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-11-29
THE ABUSE OF THE BALLOT.
BY WILL A. NJ TIER.

uttered on aliMOSG every stump
throughout the length and breadth
Of our country. It is not my pur-
pose to dispute it, quite the contrary.
It is true. But how often the ballot
is unwisely used, and used for pur-
poses very foreign to the object for
WHICH it was bequeathed to us by
our patriot forefathers I have
thought that if our authorities
would prepare a text book on the
true use of the ballot and require it
to be taught in our common schools
there would be better results from
it than teaching geology and chemis-
try. although they are well enough
in their place.
How often do we hear men de
clare that they will not vote for
certain man, because they do not like
him. That man may advocate the
same principles, belong to the same
party, be an honorable man, well
qualified to discharge the duties Of
the position to which he aspjres, but
the voter viii not support him be-
cause in time past they have had a
personal difficulty or it may be al
honest difference of opinion about
some trivial matter. Then, to spite
the man he "does not like the
voter assists in electing one who is
an advocate Of different principles, a
dishonorable man without qualifica-
tons! The ballot was intended to
correct public evils, and it is an ab
solute abuse Of its intended use,
to WELD it in the way Of taking
revenge in regard to private matters.
Another one is in using it to put
somebody out of office FOR instance,
a man has held a public position a
long While, he has been faithful, eff
cient, true and honorable. No fault
can be found with him in the dis
charge Of his duties. Some one
without experience OF qualifications
becomes g candidate and IA ses the
cry that the faithful and true man has
been in Office long enough, and be-
hold, many voters cast their ballot,
not for the purpose of electing good
man to Office, but for the purpose Of
turning one out l recall an instance
many years ago where man Of great
ability, Of experience in public service,
having a large influence, and had CO.
cupied public stations for a number
Of years, and on whom his constitu-
ents could depend at all times, who
was ANONYMOUSLY defeated by man
OF no ability, who was notorious
debauchee! No one had any conf
dence in the latter and all knew that
h was dis9r zee to his constituency,
but the other ''had been in office long
enough, and therefore they voted
him cut Of office. Such use Of the
ballot kept up continuously would
bring our beloved country with ell
It's proud institutions aud grand
structures into chaos and tumult
Again, the ballot is often used to
punish man for exercising his opin
ION on some particular subject. A
few years ago, we had civil rights
excitement. Candidates for county
Offices were enquired after as to their
position on the civil rights bill,
A question they had nothing to
do with whatever, and question that
both parties now appear to be
ashamed that it was ever agitated.
Many would have voted then for q
man for a clerkship who could not
sign his name If he declared himself
in opposition to the civil rights bill,
rather than support the finest pen
man and most accomplished business
man who favored that measure.
/ The same has been true IN many of
our counties in regard to the enforce
ment of the internal revenue laws.
Ii man had ever aided United
States officer in enforcing the law,
| and afterwards became candidate,
he was met with that act and men
voted against him for it.. No differ
ence what his motives were OF what
his opinion in regard to the righte
BUSINESS or unfighteousness OF the
law, it was all the same. Some
/ demagogue, void OF conscience, who
cared nothing for the civil rights
bill or the revenue law, could start
out and curse these measures, and
men would vote for him for it! Such
use of the ballot is calculated to
| place men who either have no opir.
/ ion, OF WHO are ready to lie and re.
sort to dlshonorable measures In
| places OF position and trust.
An open, honest enemy is not to
be dreaded as q deceitful, treacherous
friend, who viii fatter you to your
face and betray you the first oppor-
tnnity.
Again, we used to hear men say
that they would never vote for man
who voted for the dog law in the
legislature. [ am not discussing the
dog law, but the principle of such
utterances It is all wrong. Per
haps u good man voted for that Law
and would become a candidate again.
Another, who would have voted
/ for it had he been there,
and an advocate of other
measures which would be destruc-
tive to the public, becomes candl
date. He has found your senti-
ments on the dog law, and, notwlth-
standing he would have supported it
! - 10 I ~ .lx..x he