The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-02-15
AFTER AN ANIMATED DISCUSSION
The Ballot Reform Bill Falls to Secure
a Passage.
Mr.. Looney Supports His Measure In
a ForcibIe Speech.
Interesting Remarks BY Others, Who
Took a Hand In Debate.
Especial to the Press.l

Especial to the Press.
AUGUSTA, Feb. 14.-The debate on the
ballot reform bill occurred in the House of
Representatives this forenoon. 1t was the
most important and best sustained debate of
this session. and it is doubtful If any debate
for six years at least, has surpassed it. A
larger audience attended than has yet at
tended during this session, and it increased
steadily to the end. Mr.. Looney opened for
the bill, making an address of half an hour.
He spoke admirably, and was applauded by
the representatives, irrespective Of opinions
as to the measure. Mr.. Wiswell, of Els
worth, who made the main argument in op-
position, also made an admirable effort,
though his logic could not be adjudged such
as will stand the test of time and examina-
tion, so well as its form and the style in
which it was put pleased his bearers. In
fact the logic hardly stood the test of the
keen and eloquent reply made by Represen-
tative Chadbourne, of Biddeford, who made
the speech Of the day. for wit and we'll
dressed Logic. The other speeches were also
excellent, every speaker holding the atten-
tion of the audience to the close. Mr..
broke, Mr. Robie, of Gorham and Mr.. Madi-
gan, of Houlton, as well as Mr.. Wiswell,
spoke against the BILL Mr.. Fox, of Porter,
was with Mr.. Loeney and Mr.. Chadbourne.
On the yea and nay vote, Representatives
Green and Whitten, of the Portland dele
gates voted ''yea." Mr.. Dow voted may"
and Mr.. Fogg was absent.
1.-the debate opened at IL o'clock on Mr..
Loeney's motion to substitute the minority
report, which was the bill, for the majority
report, which was against the bill. m
Mr.. Looney said the bill before the House
was practically the ballot bill passed by the
last legislature of Massachusetts,, and con-
formed closely to what is known as the Aus
tralian system of voting. He then proceed
ed to explain briefly the provisions Of the
bill. He contended as reasons why this bill
should become a law (frst) that secret bal
lot is more In harmony with the spirit Of our
constitution and the genius of our institu-
tions than any other; (second) that it would
diminish bribery, and that it had killed 1t
wherever it had been tried third 1t would
ia large degree, do away with another grow
ing evil of our elections, namely, the heavy
assessments of candidates; fourth) it would
tend to purify the caucus and diminish its
power. Mr.. Looney elaborated all these
points very effectively, and then proceeded
to answer the most important objections
made to the bill. 1t had been said the intro
duction of such bill was a reflection upon
the people of Maine. 1t was no more so
than was the demand of the women of Maine
for a law to promote social purity. 1t had
been urged that the bill will disfranchse the
illiterate voter. But the provision in the
bill on this point better preserved his rights
than they were preserved under the present
system, where he is at the mercy of the po-
litical heeler. Besides, the bill would stim-
ulate the illiterate voter to learn to read.
Such had been its effect in Australia. The
system might seem complicated at first
glance, but as matter of fact it was very
simple and easily comprehended. Mr.. Loo
ney closed as follows:
The friends of this system-and their num-
Der is legion-predict that IN less than two
years it will regulate the election of a major
ity of the Northern States. What will be Y
Names position in this battle fer cure and
enlightened Democracy? Will she be one
of the first or last of the States to adopt this
The splendid endorsement which this bill
has received from the masses Of the State, as
evidenced by the monster petitions from
Portland, Biddeford, Lewiston and other
places; its approval by the Young Mems
Republican Club and Grattan Literary
Society of Portland, and the loyal support
which it has received, with few exceptions.
from the entire press of the State, represent
ing both political parties, are proofs Of the
assertion that the passage of this bill is de-
manded by the people of Maine. The people
Of Maine are justly alarmed at the threaten
Promethean spark which imparts life and
soul TO our political system. 1t this legisla-
ture refuses to pass this bill. the people at
the next election will send members who
will pass 1t. Let not the opponents Of this
splred this bill viii die ifit is defeated. In
vain will they endeavor to keep It back. The
sentiment Is too irresistible. The question
win come of its own vitality.
Mr.Sprague of Dexter, said he was pleased,
and more than pleased at the admission made
by the gentleman In the first of his speech,
that bribery does not exist in this State. Il
had supposed" he said, land still suppose
that we have the prettlest and best election
systems Of any State IN this Union. And md
to try any experiments. If the system works
well in Massachusetts there will be time
enough to adopt it here? But does this sys
tenn really diminish bribery. have never
seen it in operation; but from the best testi:
mony which can get ! do not. find that 1t
has been successful in preventing bribery in
MT. Sprague contended that this system
would make it easier for the purchase OF
votes He said every heeler could be drilled
by mock ballot which he could take with
him into the polling place, and by il mark
his ballot, Then, 10 some way, which Mr.
Sprague did not clearly explain, It could be
fixed so that the man who bought the vote
could tell how the man bought voted.
Mr.. Sprague had heard that in Canada,
under this system, only 400 voters could be
polled at one place. II that was so, the sys-
TEN would be too cumbersome for use 10
Maine, as in his own town Of Dexter It
would, he thought, work practical hard
ship
MIR, Wiswell of Ellsworth, said he apprs-
hended that it would be good rule for ey-
eryone to adopt, that be should only speak
only on such subjects as he Is thoroughly in
formed upon. And yet one of the reasons
why he addressed the House was because he
complicated details of this bill. Its leading
provisions he could understand, and upon
those he proposed to speak. In Mr.. Wis
wells opinion over legislation was the dan.
ger OF the hour. And upon whoever would
change the law there rests heavy burden
u
eloquent friend from Portland started out
with the assuption that the foundation OF
our government Is In the unlimited suffrage
of the people. l agree with him In that. And
now my principal objection to this bill Is
that 1t could debar from this right of suffrage
many Of the millions TO whom II 10 now CIV
en-.
of this bill is to prevent bribery end intiini-
datiop, am willing 10 eoncede for present
argument that this system might diminish
Intimidation. But right alongside Of that
Statement wish to say that do not believe
that intimidation exists In Maine. believe
that throughout this State every voter
throws a ballot free from all influence and
intimidation. ANY assertion to the contrary
Is a libel to the fair fame OF this State In
limitation does mt exist in this State.
Now let me come TO bribery, l VIII no
state that there is no bribery because az
not believe there Is no bribery In Maine. !
is a dangerous curse. But we nave n0t gon'
to the extent that they have In otner oIateS
Yet / will not say that there Is no DriDery
Bnt let me say right here that ! cannos So
how, if this bill becomes 2 law tnat !. can II
the remotest degree stop, bfiDery; s9ecIec'
is the very thing wished by the cIinilnai. ', t
believe that many men who would sen tnel
votes under the new system are.now oetelIs,
by the fear that their neighbors anu irienu
win see sIc know it. a..
Mr.. Wiswell then went on to urge that tn
bill was very hard and complicated 10 undef
stand and would lead to confusion apa ms
takes.
Mr.. Fox, the young Representative frop
| the Porter class, next spoke, favoring thu
hill He disnlaimad anv kn0WlndQe OF DIaC