The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-11-28
A REGISTRATION LAW.

An honest vote and fair count are essen
tisls 10 the maintenance Of Republican
form Of government. There are temptations
10 the inscriptions, not always resisted, to
defeat either or both the fair and decisive
expression of qualified electors at the polls,
or to pervert that expression In the count.
In many States and Territories, Is experience
has shown the danger and evil of corrupted
ballot or wise precedence has forestalled It,
laws have been enacted 30 stringent and care
fully devised that their object has been rrac-
tically attained and the ballot and count are
fair. New York State is, In the count, 1t
least, a notable illustration of this and II Is
well for the country that the Presidential
election turned on the canvass In State
whose laws were q guarantee unto all men
that the count would be absolutely correct.
But fair canvass is a nullity If there is be.
fore 1t an unfair or fraudulent vote, and both
these evils have in the past two campaigns
emphatically obtruded themselves IN the
general elections Of Montana. Candidate
Botkin was the victim In 1882 Of hundreds
and hundreds of bogus or fraudulent votes
cast along the line OF the Northern Pacific
railroad, and candidate Knowles was in 1884
the victim Of several hundred votes, the de.
post of which was purch ,sed from unprinci-
Piled hirelings who, for and In consideration
Of days wages therefor, went to the polls
In Butte and deposited the ticket selected for
and handed TO them. This matter Is beyond
any question, but It may be a question
whether, under existing laws, the crime can
be reached. We have cited In this matter
the Delegate victims, but It is only because
they are conspicuous and the facts are estab-
lished and known as relates to ia ,m. Others
were effected, and we are not partizan enough
to assume that If curb Is not placed upon
this prostitution of the ballot IL will always
be Republican candidates that will be In
jured. The spirit of retaliation is inherent
In all men.
As a move In the direction Of checking and
Furnishing these frauds the project is revived
Of enacting In Montana q registration law,
approximating in Its provisions those which
are on the Statute books in the States where
the sanctity Of the ballot is best protected,
and defending the honest voters of Montana
from the perversion of their will by the acts
Of unprincipled wretches and hirelings who
stuff ballot boxes or sell their votes. When
this was advocated years ago. the objection
was raised that, owing to the sparse popula-
ton Of Montana and the remote residence of
many qualified voters from the places where
registration could be made, 1t would work q
hardship to them In requiring at least one
days time and attendant expenses TO secure
registration and another to vote, and that
thus many worthy citizens would experience
hardshlps or be debarred suffrage, while
those who could use them, aud would have
use for them, would see that the available
trash that infest the camps were registered
and ready for service on election day. Doubt-
less, from the character and ability of gentle
men OF both political parties who we are
informed now favor q registration law, tn use
objections will be obviated or Invested of
their weight and a measure devised that will
commend II to the favor of the Legislature
and people. We have had the humiliating
evidence that our elections can be made q
mockery and no guilty man punished. Let
US, in protection of our rights and the integ.
rity Of Montana, unite In devising and secur-
ing an enactment that will most greatly ben
eft the good citizens of the Territory in their
purpose to have an honest vote and fair
count. We believe this is the desire of our
people, who have already taken a decided
step ahead in suppressipg drunkenness dur,
Ing elections, and instead of throwing any
obstacle in the way, 1t should be the object,
study and resolve of all Legislators to render
the best service in their power In securing
the most perfect legislation.