The Labor enquirer., 1886-03-20
THE BALLOT.
What 1t Is and What 1t Ought to BE.
Simeon stetson's Exposition OF
the Fraud,

1t is evident that we cannot have "a
peoples goyernmet" unless we control
our political parties. That we never can
control them by our present method of
voting can be clearly proven. That we
do not control them now is already ad-
mitted.
A great party is dangerous power
when some one or few special interests,
or few bad men can control it. This
they can do, and will continue to do so
long as parties are organized and MAIN
tanned in the old wav. One boss politi-
clan has more power to-day than 10000
honest voters.
The policy4of government is shaped
by party. But the policy of party is
shaped by whatever special interest or
"ring" may be controlling it. Where,
then, are "The People?" They are the
slaves of party. They are the slaves of
the great powers" that control and
shape the policy of parties and of gov
ernment They are the slaves of party
BOSSES and every species cf trio sters
who work for cliques and rings. They
are the slaves also of those who for coin
or favors sell their votes and thereby
create majorities in favor of the peoples
enemies. The people are sold and con-
trolled. Tue many are ruled by the
few.
This is not peoples government in
fact; it is so only in theory. The people
do not make the laws. Majorities as
well as minorities are practically dis
franchised. All this, and more, is due
to two defects in our voting.
One of these defects is the necessity of
getting a majority or plurality in order
to elect candidate. The other is the
district lines which separate voters of
like ideas and prevent them from c.
operating to use their strength to the
best advantage. Thus Sc arated, they
are frequently compelled to vote for two,
three, or more candidates, in as many
different districts, although thew may
only have enough votes to elect one.
The consequence is they elect none at
all. Their votes are thereby cancelled
and the strength of thsir party in the
state is virtually reduced to that extent.
The majority party in a state may lose
enough votes in this way to give the
control Of the legislature to the minority
party. Thus the fundamental principle
of our government-whichi is that the
majority must rule-is very frequently
defeated at the very outset-that is, at
the ballot box-and that too without the
interference of the "boss," or of the pro-
fessional political "ring." But this is
not the worst of it. The chief evil re-
sulting from the two defects in our
method Of voting, is the power which
they enable the bosses and all kinds of |
tricksters to WELD.
- x y Il
The trouble is not that the minority |
sometimes defeats the majority at the
ballot box, but that the minority and
the majority are both defeated by being
compelled to elect candidates put up by
the 'ring" or else throw their votes away
On candidates Of their own selection.
To run an Independent" candidate is
generally very hazardous. The profes-
sional wire pullers." therefore, in all I
parties, can with safety nominate their
nen-knowing that the people will vote
For an undesirable man of their own
party rather than an equally undesirable
'ne Of the opposite party. The dilemma
Il which the voters are placed makes
;he professional politicians complete
masters Of the situation.
Put down the bosses, ''smash the
and even then 1t will be inn
for the 'tpeople." that ID. ms