Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-20
FOR ILLEGAL VOTING.

lldtC4 III llllS S4tf iNSShbtj AtA2 S-SeAoAe
the subject of inFasions of the electors
right very prominently 10 the front and
kept it there Several of the perpetrators
were punished, some Of them are now
serving in prison for their crimes, others
went free on payment of nominal fine,
while many offenders escaped arrest and
punishment PROFESSIONALLY the frauds
would have been much more numerous but
for the courageous watch and ward the cit
liens kept over the ballos-boxes. The
events of that occasion and the experience
of other localities, have demonstrated that
there is weakness in our electoral system
in this, that the ofenses against it are
not punished with sufficient certainty, nor
yet with sufficient severity, by reason of
the leniency of the statutes.
The subject is now one of general and
animated debate throughout the country.
The Legislature viii be chosen in few
months, and no man who proposes to be a
candidate should be permitted to escape
from declaring himself whether or not he
is in favor Of cleanliness at the polls and
more vigorous punishment of ballot-box
offenders? 1t is because the Republican
party stands for fair ballot and an honest
count that it has special missionary work
before it in the South, where in many sec
tions it is undeniable that fair ballot and
clean count is not had for Republican
candidates. 1t is one of the fundamental
principles of the Republican party that
the bailot-box shall be free and voters I'M
trammeled in the exercise of their sover-
eign right. That it can never, and never
will abandon. Its voice always has been
and will be for fair dealing and justice to
all men in every section of the country,
and it ought to declare for it in California
now, anew and Enthusiastically.
Between the mere act of tempting to
cast an Illegal ballot and accomplishing
the crime, the law now maintains the
broad distinction that exists between a
misdemeanor and a felony. But what
reason can be advanced for it? Why
should not the attempt be placed upon all
fours with the commission, and both acts
overhung with such hazard that the
vicious element will hesitate long and
ponder seriously before invoking the
penalty? The California Spirit Of the
Times proposes that Illegal voting be made
capital effense. 1t believes that the
death penalty would efiectually deter men
from the commission of such crimes. 1t
makes strong point, and one that will
strike every man with great force, that the
inconsiderable punishment now attaching,
leads men to look upon ballot-box stuffing
with Indifference and deadens their sensi-
bility TO the awfulness of the crime No
one who has been at all observant can be
oblivious to the fact that it has come to be
looked upon that ability to stuff ballot
box is shrewdness and adroitness, rather
than an outrageous crime upon the most
sacred privilege of the freeman Indeed
no one at all conversant with election
methods will be able to deny that illegal
voting, by reason of Its frequency and the
lightness Of the punishment inflicted in
those rare cases where the offender is de-
tected, is largely apologized for by society,
and classed by citizens who abhor the thief
who pliers from till, as politica smart
ness and defensible political tactics
The liberties of people are never
stricken down by one blow, their over
throw is invariably accomplished by de-
tail in the time of Indifference to duty, or
weakness due to incivism, and is worked
out by insiduous trespa ssing and repeated
and constantly holder trespasses. But
would the attaching of the extreme pen
atty to offenses against the ballot-box
quicken public sensibility and effect the
desired purpose more certainly than less
sever punishment of the offenders? While
the penalty is now altogether too light, to
make the crime capital offense would
antagonize the sentiment opposed to capt.
tai punishment for any crime whatever,
and would, therefore augment the difficult
ties of conviction, besides by reason of its
radicalism raising up opposition to it. The
better plan would be to abolish all distinc-
tions between attempting to vote illegally
and so voting; between melting or brib-
ing one to vote and accepting the bride;
between "stufing" ballot-box and de-
stroying it. Make all these oferses telonies
punishable only By imprisonment IN the State
Prison without power in the Elecatiee TO par
don the offender, and attach as the sequence o.
cOnrictiOn the penalty Of deprivation Of the
right thereafter te exercise the electire franchise
or ofa dny Office Of trust.
Why not2 If man steals goods val
ued at $50, or is twice convicted of petit
larceny, he is declared a felon and
stripped of his right to vote. Is
the otfense of stealing a ballot-box less
heinous than that of stealing a dog or
fifty silver pieces? Is there any more
reason for leniency to the wretch who robs
the American sovereign of his chief right,
than for mercy to the road-agent who re-
lieyes you of your purse9 In one case the
offense is against property only snd the
right to it; in the other it is an ofense
against the Government itself
As there is no ofense against society
that strikes nearer its heart, and threatens
more the overthrow of orderly government
than thaf of illegal voting, to tempo-ize
With it, put it at the risk of a mere fine or
few weeks in common jail, invests it
with no terror for the evil doer, indeed
for the attempt to cast simple fraudulent
vote, the compensation may be such as to
mike the offender content to serve in a
county Jail, or his principals may be will
ing enough to buy him out of confinement
They very well know that for every such
visitation upon their sack" they viii
il, -