Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-12-13
NEED OF REFORM.

In determining the result of popular
elections there is, in our method, radical
error and need of radical reform. The
present method invites to fraud, offers
premium for mistakes, and enlarges
the facilities for their commission. A
tedious and disturbing recount OF the bal.
lots cast at the recent election ia this
county is now progressing, and it's results
unsettle faith in the whole system Of ascer-
tanning the public verdict. The changes
that develop under this recount muss be
attributed either to shameless fraud, gross
carelessness, or mistakes due to physical
causes. Upon the latter hypothesis they
may be accounted for, and if they
can be so disposed OF, the public confidence
in the system under consideration will be
less impaired, for the remedy then becomes
apparent and may be easily applied. 1t
will be profitable, therefore, to examine
the matter in that light. II we take this
city as an example, it is found that with
but two exceptions all the precinct election
boards were compelled to remain on duty.
and without the rest nature demands,
for two entire days and nights, and
one of them until late in third day.
They were crowded into close and un-
comfortable quarters in most cases. The
clerks were compelled to check off the
ballots upon exceedingly broad tally sheets,
requiring long sweep of the vision TO de.
termine the line upon which the vote should
be credited. 1t requires no exercise of the
imagination to realize how errors under
such circumstances could occur indeed, the
wonder is that they have not been greater.
Deprived Of needed sleep, confused by the
long and bewildering and closely.pianted
lines OF check marks, the senses dulled by
the monotonous calling off of the ballots,
and not infrequently stupefied by liberal
potations from the TOP convenient bar
room, it is not strange that misentries
should be made, nor that the judges should
miscall ballots. OF course these same
causes increase the facility with which
purposeful false credits may be made, and
which q recount alone can determine. In
any light then in which it is viewed, the
method employed needs reformation. This
may be approached, if not absolutely at.
tanned, in this way: ~ By limiting the
bounds of voting precinct in cities so as
to include, at general elections, not more
than 2G0 voters. ~ By requiring the
clerks to use double tally sheets, SO that
not over 100 votes can be checked upon
one blank. (3) By removing polling
places into well ventilated, well
lighted and comfortable rooms. "a
By prohibiting, under severe penalties,
members of election boards from separating
after the polls have been closed until the
count is completed, by like prohibition
excluding from them all beverages at all
likely to Influence injuriously their mental
powers, and generally throwing about
them all the safeguards usual with a
jury. (5l By requiring the ballot boxes
with the sealed ballots to be deposited
with one official, the returns Of the board
with another, and the keys of the boxes
with third. By such methods the liabil.
ity to err i'll be reduced to the minimum,
collision and fraud rendered more difficult,
and the announcement of the result Of the
election made earlier. The only objection
at all worthy of consideration that can be
raised to such methods, ia that which may
be based on economic grounds. The an
swer is that true economy is found in attain
ing the highest standard and the best re.
suits. 1t costs no more TO pay, say, sixteen
election boards one day than eight two
days, while the possible necessity of an ex.
pensive and demoralizing recount will be
farther removed.