Morning journal and courier., 1882-12-30
Saturday, Dec. 30, 1882,
==77z=-=-=-=77--===-7 THE BLACK BALLOT QUESTION.

THE BLACK BALLOT QUESTION
 Of course those who are in danger of los
 ing their offices in this city by reason of
 Judge Parks decision that the black ballots
 are illegal do not mean to let go until they
 are obliged to. We shall, it now appears
 have long and unpleasant contest over these
 offices. And. according to Chairman Cole,
 of the Republican State committee, a cont est
 for the State offices is to be begun as soon as
 possible. MT. Cole intends to file Q petition
 with the Legislature when it assemblies, call
 ing its attention to the illegality of the black
 ballots and asking for investigation and
 for such action as may be lawful under the l circumstances.
 This is interesting, if not entirely pleasing.
 Mr. Cole in support of his position says |:
 And 1t is the direct duty of the Legislature to take this matter in hand. Such tickets l will never again be used in city elections
 They have been declared illegal there. Eth. CT they are legal or illegal for State elections
 If they are illegal the Legislature must throw them out. If they are legal then they can | be used again, and still worse tricks can be ! invented for the next time. If the Leeisla- ture does not throw these out, it practically declares them legal. There is duty in the l matter that cannot be overlooked Mr. Cole also thinks that it is letting those who invented and those who voted the black bal lots off very easily if instead of punishing them nothing is done beyond declaring void the results of their illegal actions.
 Much fault will be found with Mr. Cole by both Democrats and Republicans if he car I Out is into pf islature. Many feel that the Legislature ought not to go into the matter. The views of those who would not have the State off, cers meddled with are we'll expressed by Hon. Henry c. Robinson of Hartford, who says: s"Thet the Legislature will do any such thing have no idea; first because it will be repugnant to the American sense of the fair thing second because it seems to me that the minority candidates for the seve- ral offices would feel that such an ofice- holding, if sought for, would be at too great an expense of personal honor and gentle manly dealing to be compensated by any matter of position. And I am confident that if they were forced to any such uncom- fortable thing, they might be by the ac- tion of the Legislature in spite of their per sonal wish, it would be intolerably distaste- ful to them. Third, partisan majority who would take the responsibility of such step would be likely to be relieved of being a ma jority for long term of years"
 It can be said in behalf of the position Mr. Cole has taken that it is logical If it is right and necessary to throw out the illegal black ballots cast for city officers it is right and n fn n,,t fhrco fo,. Cka4o officers. If it is not right and necessary to meddle with the State officers it is not right and necessary to meddle with the local off cers. All things considered, perhaps the best thing to do, after fuss enough has been made, is to let all whom the people intended to elect have their offices