The examiner., 1882-02-25

town clerks, who are to place in the hands Of some person or persons appointed by the selectmen to have charge of such en. velopes, number precisely equal to the l number of registered voters in such town or district, such person IS to hand each elector as his name is checked one of said envelopes. The elector is then required to enter private booth Cor room) prepared for the purpose, ald there in secret, select the ballots he desires to vote, seal the same and then passing out of such booth or room deposit the envelope on the ballot box.
 Such in brief, are the simple provisions of the bill. There is nothing complicated in it's machinery, and no feature to which any honest man can object.
 Among the many reasons why the bill should become incorporated into law, is that it is the highest duty of the 1egisla- ture to provide for the purity of the ballot, as being the source through which the will of the people, the sovereign people, is made manifest and exercised; by institu- ting some plan that will lorevesat the possi- bility of committing fraud successfully ir our elections.
 That our elections are now manifestly impure, that large amounts of money are raised and used for tbe purpose of corrupt ing the weak and needy voter, that large numbers of operatives in our different mills and factories are intimidated by their employers is a matter beyond dispute.
 Bribery and intimidation are the order of the day (to accomplish that part of the work left undone by the hireling press and the hireling orator) and there is no me thod under heaven by which their damna- ble influences can be met and completely, nuIlified other than the adoption of 8 system where one man cannot possibly know what another man votes.
 But it was evident from the start that there was nothing to hope or expect from who introduced the measure did it "by request" and the committee to whom it was referred, on giving hearing to the delegation in it's favour, could not possibly conceal their nneasiness. They evidently felt as ill reposed on being confronted by honest men seeking the adoption of hon. est measures, as does the culprit in the dock when confronted with the awfull question of the judge, tWhat have you to say why sentence of death should not be pronounced against you?"
 They shifted in their seats, looked at the clock every few minutes; some talking with each other in seeming disregard ot the arguments offered by the friends of the measure. But the arguments, demon strat1ons, and citation of facts went on, and they were finally compelled to con- descend to the asking of some questions and offering objections as to it's ''practic- ability" But the questions were all squar- ly answered and the objections readily overcome, so that the committee itself, the judiciary committee we repeat, were oblig- ed to acknowledge the proposition was good and ought not to fail in securing favourable results.
 Nevertheless by that same committee was it strangled to death, with the con- currence of the whole House, whereupon we hesitate not in asserting and proclaim ing to the whole people, and in the very teeth of our lawmakers, in the light of the facts here adduced, that the legisla- ture of Connecticut is 8 corrupt assem- blaze, and is manifestly opposed to any scheme whereby fair and honest election may be secured, and the corrupting power of money and corporate influence abol- ished.