The Hawaiian gazette., 1888-08-07

its bearing q common number with the
stub of such ballot. This provision was
inserted IN the bill (similar to the law in
the Australian Colonies, England and
some other countries) because, in case
OF proceedings on disputed elections in
Court or before the Legislature, it might
become essential to establish the fact as
TO what vote was cast, when, for in
stance, voters should testify as to the
votes cast by them. The amendment
of the committee, however, will make
voting absolutely secret.
Yet the committee have not reported
and rumor says, the secret ballot is
the trouble. No doubt other clauses will
cause much discussion and it is not I'M
likely that there will be material alter
atoms whenever the bill gets into the
House. Why are people afraid OF the
secret voting clause? Is the Leg
islature afraid to grapple with that
feature of the bill? Is it a correct prin-
ciple or not?
There can be no doubt that the prin-
ciple of secret voting is correct. Every
person who votes is entitled to the abso-
lutte independence insured only by a
secret ballot. But the exercise OF the
elective franchise in its highest and best
sense involves both intelligence and
honesty on the part OF the voter. Intel
ligence should also be coupled with
some education, sufficient certainly to
read Understandings an ordinary news
paper. With such an electorate the
ballot box would always record the intel
ligent choice of the people. Unfortun-
ately very few countries possess an cleo
torate SO overwhelmingly honest and
intelligent Us to always produce the best
result. 1t is unfortunately true that as
rule, elections, particularly in cities,
do not make such record. The ma
jority of our electors probably do not
comply with both requisites. Well
known facts show that the disgrace OF
buying and selling votes is too common
here. Ignorance and prejudice also
operate against az honest vote, and on
other accounts we have very uncertain
electorate to control the Government.
1t is more necessary now than ever be-
fore that honesty and intelligence con-
troll, for the majority OF the Legislature
may and no doubt will make or unmake
the Ministry every session.
But why fear our electors? The facts
OF the past indicate that they can be
trusted if let alone. With the whole
machinery of corrupt government
brought to bear in every election district
in the country-With fraud, intimida-
ton, corruption, and every other posi-
bic influence brought to turn the scale
in 1886, the scale was barely turned in
almost every district. The Government
had an overwhelming majority in the
Legislature; but, few votes in most
districts would have elected other men.
What the result would have been, had
no influence except honest argument
been used and the electors been allowed
q secret vote, cannot be doubted. Will
not a good cause, with q clean and
truthful statement of all issues, insure q
response at the ballot box satisfactory
to all friends OF good government? If
not then there is something wrong with
our whole system and it is time that We
find the cause OF the trouble! Is it as
sumed that there is such q fatal antag
onism between the owners OF our great
agricultural and other interests, and the
great body OF voters who perform the
labor, that such owners and their EN-
ployees will vote against each other?
God forbid! 1t ought to be so that the
interests OF the employer and the en-
ployed should be identical. They are
the same, and probably after few cleo
tons under our new Constitution they
will find them to be so, and practically
will vote together. We ARE faced with
the grave proposition that secret ballot
may not be safe for the institutions of
the country. Let this be fully understood
and 80 treated and acted upon in the