The Labor enquirer., 1884-12-06
THE BALLOT nONOPOLY.
Il IS the Foundation Upon Which
Al Other Nonopolies
Best.

since 1t is mainly responsible for the ex-
istence Of them all. It permits those
who can get majority ora plurality in
a district to monopollze the representa-
ton of the whole district. When there
are three parties nearly equal in num-
bers, minority, or about one-third, will
elect all; if four parties, then one
fourth. Where there are only two par
ties even, a majority of one will deprive
about half the voters of their just share
Of representatives, and thus stifle their
voice in the law-making body. But this
is only the first effect; the final result is
that those who poll majority have
their voices stifled also AS : candidate,
in order to be elected, must belong to q
great party, and as great parties under
this system require capital, the capital
lists, monopolists and "coinp politicians
manage the party and monopolize
the nominations They are the only
ones, therefore, who are really repre-
sented. They in fact monopolize the
ballot itself. They get all the profits of
the monopoly, while the voters foot the
bills arising from legislation which fayors
monopoly.
This thing is worse than ia game Of
chance, since the voters make nothing
by winning. 1t is one set Of monopolists
without money trying to compete with
another set who have barrels of it.
The result is that the poor ones merely
act as cats paws" for the others. If, by
consent of the latter, or by an occasional
circumstance, the poor ones win now
and then by electing candidate of their
own choice,it will only be an exception
to the general rule, since their honest
efforts. unsupported by capital and coun-
teracted at every turn by the system
itself, will be defeated by the efforts of
the others-whether honest or not-who
are backed up not only by capital but by
the system also. This system compels
the voters to get majority then itpens
them up in districts which give major
ity of the Representatives to the minority
party; 1t compels them to belong to
great party in orderto make their votes
count; and then gives the control of
great parties to the rich monopolists who
are the only ones benefited by the count.
II therefore tnullifies, defeats and sets
aside the fundan entail principle of our
government, which is, that the majority
of the voters, and not the majority of
dollars, must rule.
Of all monopolies this one is the most
tyrannicaL There is no special law to
prevent men from uniting their capital
in mercantile or manufacturing enter
prise. But here is a law that says to
body of voters: "You shall not combine
your voting capital-your ballots unless
you all live in the same district. You
shall vote for four-or ore-candidates,
when you have only enough votes to
elect two, notwithstanding this will fire.
quently prevent YOU from electing any at
ALL"
Z The foregoing analysis makes it clear
that a monopoly of the ballot is the
foundation on which the other monopo-
lies rest. Verify it is the fountain head
and the feeder of them all Anti-mo-
nopollsts, what are you going to do about
it? Women who demand the ballot,
will you be any better off with such a
ballot than the men now are Reform
ers." "Agitators," Educators" what is
your verdict ?. Many of you are conf
dent of victory but a victory is often
dearly won So long as the present
method Of voting continues, one good law
may be outweighed by one or a dozen
bad ones. Let us therefore exchange it
for one thatis better. SIMEON STETsoN.
a