The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-07-05
PRIMARY ELECTIONS

IT would seem as though political and
moral evils moved sometimes in the atmos-
phere after the manner of physical ones.
Suicides, murders, accidents on the water,
railway disasters, tornadoes, national dis
turbances, even street fights, and other
similar occurrences, appear to be fashiona-
bly, rife as much as epidemics Of fevers,
colds, etc. SO ofpolitical excitements and
troubles. Recent elections at the primaries
in several of the states have added weight
to this thought. The consequence is that
the PATRIOTS attention has been directed to
the correction Of the practiced wrongs. In
California statute law is in operation that
seeks to remedy, and does materially reme-
DIV, the grievance. In Arkansas, we under
stand, the example has been likewise fol
lowed. But the latest practical result
OF such endeavor is to be found in the last
election in Brooklyn. So corrupt had be-
come the political condition of affairs in
that city. so common had grown to be all
manner OF ballot box stutiing, fraudulent
voting ana outrageous falsehoods at the
primaries that scarcely any one, even of
the most respectfully reputed elements
could be trusted. that the people rose up
almost as man and determined to sup
press such wholesale political demoraliza-
ton. Accordingly, upon petition, the leg
islature of New York passed an enactment
putting into the hands of the law these pri-
mary elections. 1t applies, however, to
Brooklyn alone. 1t requires oaths of hon
esty and fidelity from all officers and in
spector, at primary elections, and
it makes these applicable to demo-
Gratis, republicans, greenbackers and
other like organizations. 1t limits voting
at these primaries to citizens of the coun-
try of full age it provides for challenges
and for the examinations under oath of all
challenged parties, etc, etc. The penalty
for the violation Of any OF its provisions is
Imprisonment for three years and fine of
$1,000. Under this, any person who stufYs
a ballotbox or puts in wrongful vote at
an election for delegate to the coun-
ty convention, will become resident
of the penitentiary and don striped clothes
to correspond with his striped conscience.
Last Saturday week ago, under this law,
Brooklyn had a primary democratic cleo
ton. The excitement of the canvass had
been intense and the feeling was bitter be-
tween the two factions of the democratic
party, bets were heavy, the mercury was
revealing among the nineties. A commit
tee OF most important character to preside
over the dostinies Of the party for some
year, was to be chosen, and the interests
were immense. Yet everything passed OIL
on that day as quietly, as orderly as it
could possibly have done, had the people
been polling regularly for chief executive
of the nation. And now Now York city.
witnessing the admirable working of that
law, proposes to have similar one Tor her
primaries, which for years people have
been so suspicious OF, so disguised
with that many decent persons.
reiraincd from attending the dis
''''iiJ IL was luSL Sllgl
law! as this that we contemplated,
hat we indicated in an article written
ew days ago when in its hdeousncss we
Jaw or knew of so much fraud perpetrsted
n the city of Dallas. Whether the state of
Texas has the power to enact such u law
political conduct in this wise at
he primaries was then question in our
mind, but II seems that New York has thus
ar responded yeaas to ITS constitutonalty.
And we incline to favor this view, and be-
ieve that the right-minded citizen will
likewise approve it. At any rate, so inef-
ectual Is our present system of primaries
20 disclose the true Will OF the honest cit.
iens, so dcmorlizing in its tendencies,
hat we hope to see the question agitated,
md agitated to good results.
o IN