The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-12-13

Norris, Minn., Dec. 13, 1883.
WAIT 10 TIE t0sTRaLtaN SYSTEM
CT VoTtNc2
rae adoption by the State conyen-
ti,ns OF both parties of resolutions
fayoriag the adoption in this state OF
rhe system of voting known as the
Australian. commits the legislature"
says the Caledonia Argus.
ito the measure. and Information of
what it is, what evils it proposes to
remedy and how it will do it. becomes
matter of present Importance. 1t
takes Its name from the country
where 1t originated and where it has
been in force with marked success
for some years. Its purpose is to
secure to the voter absolute privacy
and immunity from solicitation.
intimidation or any of the usual
means of influencing votes. while he
is preparing and depositing his ballot.
Ths evils it is intended to overthrow
are those observed everywhere and
differing only in degree In proportion
10 the density of population. The
chief is bribery. AS the homeless
class increases, and it is gaining as
access to Land becomes more difficult
each year-the number OF voters
increases who are open to sale. But
bribery is not confined to those who
have no ''stake in the land" Here
and there in every township are men
who are in the market with their own
and other votes. Then there is the
evil Of intimidation practiced SO
largely in the manufacturing districts
where employees are expected to vote
as their employers wish under pain
st discharge. Akin to this is the
riaetice Of having men at the polls to
distribute ballots and solicit the
voters to change their minds as to
The whole or some parts of the ticket.
Tie solicitation taking the form of
peFsuasion, or threats or trading. but
equally effectually interfering with
that freedom Of choice which is the
sesl Of citizenship. In all these cases
the value Of all effort lies chiefly in
the ability to see that the voter de-
p,sits in the box the ticket put in
his hands BY purchase. trade or in
timidation. march them in bunch
es of fyes to the polls in charge of
some trusty man." was the instruc-
ion D ,dley gave to his Indiana
l,enehmen for the voting Of those
~hom they had bought. Take away
tbs surveillance, this opportunity to
see that the voter puts into the box
the ticket put in hand; give to the
voter absolute privacy while he is
preparing and depositing his ticket
~pd each Of the evils disappears. No
nan will invest a dollar in a vote if
lie cannot know that it will be
delivered. The employer cannot in.
v .te the ticket given him. Intimida-
ton fails if the voter is free from it
at the pivotal moment. An aid to
these evils Of our electoral system is
in leaving it to the political organi-
cations or to individuals to provide
the tickets. Any plan for the correc-
tion of these evils must take away
the power to prepare and put III the
voters hand the ticket which the
hriber, the employer or the bulldozer
wants deposited. AS long as this re-
mains mere privacy before and dur
ing the deposit would not be fully
effective.
Tho Australian system meets all
these evils and defeats them by SIM
pie means securing to the voter not
only the right but the opportunity to
vote rs he wishes. The tickets are pro-
vided by the state in quantity suffi.
cient to provide against waste or loss.
They are printed On the back with an
endorsement by the Secretary of
state which prevents their forgery.
Each ticket contains under the Cap
4 ion Of each Office the names Of all
candidates for that office whether
the nominees of party or Of indie
pendent candidates. In addition
below these names is black line on
which the voter can write any name
he wishes. The tickets are in the
custody of the officers of election. A
portion Of the polling place is rallied
eff within which are the judges and
clerks. Within it also are a number
at booths or compartments wide
enough for man to stand in, and.
provided with a shelf and pencils.
They are open to the rear only, No
ene but the officers and these who
xre voting are permitted inside the
railing. A voter wishing to vote
calls out his name; the officer in
charge of the tickets gives him one
which he takes into the booth and
Indicates his choice Of the various
candidates On 1T by putting, opposite
the name selected. x. If he be
lind or illiterate the officer-sworri
To secrecy shows him where is- the
lame OF the candidate for whom he
wishes to vote. Having prepared Il
lie hands his ticket to the officer in
charge of the box and passes out. No
riore are allowed inside the rail than
cin use tie booths. This method
secures, TO the voter, it will be seen,
absolute privacy while he is prepar.
Ing and depositing his ballot. No
Eoodler can be certain that tie ticket
Viii be rs agreed; no bulldozer can be
sure of bis man. 1t carries to its