The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-03-30
THE ELECTORAL REFORM BILL,

attracted much attention at the capital
this week. 1t is certainly worthy of
the closest study and the most thorough
and honest discussion. 1t is in essence
what is known as ''the Australian
system" 1t is, as the author admits,
Il farreaching measure. 1t is intended
so to be. 1t is intended to secure fair
elections-by preventing bribery, in
tImidation and corruption. These are
unquestionably the dangers that menace
our government to-day.
The Australian system o -calied, in
one form or another, is in force in
England, Australia, New Zealand,
Canada, Nova Scotia, Massachusetts,
Wisconsin and Louisville, Ky. 1t has
within a few weeks been adopted in
Indiana-recommended by a republican
governor and passed by a Legislature
democratic in both houses. 1t may be
remarked in passing that from all the
evidence, bribery, corruption and in-
timidation had reached the worst
possible state in Indiana. The very
fact that all parties there agreed to
adopt a law to remedy the election
evils, proves conclusively that the evils
had grown into intolerable proportions
in Hoosierdom. Just in proportion as
a state, county or city becomes "close,"
these evils flourish. They should be
rooted out by the common consent OF
all good citizens. irrespective OF party
affiliations. No reasonable man can
g~ainsay the proposition that in election
matters we are rapidly drifting from
bad to worse.
In the house the bill was thoroughly
discussed. The debate lasted two
entire afternoons aud the bill was at
last engrossed by a vote of nearly two
to one.
1t was attacked from various stand
points. One objection was urged that
such q law was not needed at all. This
T idea was secuted by a large majority
One more tenable was that it was moi
needed except in the larger towns,
!. One amendment made it apply &c
cities of the first class only-anothei
restricted its operations to cities
towns and viliages-others underworld
to fix all sorts of limits-but they al
were voted down. 1t is said however
that several members voted for ell
grossment who are opposed to it
application to purely rural districts
claiming that corruption was not per
' ceplible except in towns, and that thu
machinery OF the bill is too cumber
some for country precincts. The OBJ
lection was also made that it would b
too expensive.
The author of the bill explained tina
the expense of fixing up the polling
= places was largely imaginary. Tha
| the additional expense to each of tn
smaller polling places would not ex
coed one dollar, He claims that a 2
cent curtain or screen made of sneetln
plank would suffice. OF course it j
l well known that even under tn
present law, a room is provided 6
f public expense The stalls, booths @
compartments would be arranged i
p the rooms already necessary; and tn
additiolal expense would be small.
bribery and intimidation were reall
prevented to any large extent by th
IS provisions of the bill, any reasonabI
amount OF money expended to obtai
that object would be well spent.
majority of both houses appear to be
favor of the main features of the bill
The probabilities, however, appear
be that it will be made to apply
cities of 5000 or more
% Mr.. Clark is an able and vigoror
champion, and he will do all hat
him lies to secure the passage OF tn
meritorious measure. He should ha'
or no difficulty in succeeding in his put
J. pose, vel though the measure
it accomplish it should be somewh
amended to meet conflicting view
Just so the amendments do n
10 emasculate the bill, and make of 1t
u makeshiit instead of u live, potent
agency in the elimination of frat
from our elections the people will
rt satisfied.
n. No question OF more momento
e. interest will occupy the minds of o
legislators than this, and we trust
;, will be calmly and judIcally discuss
and considered.