The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-17

provides no penalty therefor.
''This particular bill indeed ruins ever
the plausibility Of the system and make.
IL easy for the vote buyer to obtain the
marked official ballots without any col
fusion with election officers"
A PRACTICAL OBJECTION.
One OF the most serious objections Ia
the bill in the Governors opinion is the
necessitytnat the official ballot shall be
finally completed certain number OF
days before the election, and on this
point he says:
81 am unalterably opposed 10 any sys-
tenn OF election which will prevent the
people from putting candidates in nomi-
nation at any time, and voting for them
by printed ballot up 10 the very last mo-
ment before the closing OF the polls on
election day. This is an inherent right
under our free institutions, which the
people will never knowingly surrender.
1.-THE last objection which | shall here
mention TO the system OF an exclusive Of
fetal ballot is the most serious OF all. The
system, though not appearing on its face to
be unconstitutional, necessarily involves
unconstitutional provisions. BY this bill
the possibility Of any ballot whatever is
made 10 depend upon previous nomina-
tons, duly certified by the bodies making
the same. II no nominations are made,
no official ballots, and consequently no
facsimile unofficial ballots can be pre-
pared and no election can bc held, for
this bill allows no other ballots to be
voted"
FREE ADVERTISING.
The Governor condemns the idea OF
having the names OF all candidates printed
upon a ballot and the system OF marking
the selected candidate or candidates as
cumbersome, and then ridicules n certain
feature OF the provisions az TO the official
ballot in the following words:
"The opportunities for free advertising
would he immense, for the tickets are 10
be- furnished not alone nj the polls on cleo
ton day. Section u OF this bill is worthy
OF being presented in full in this connec.
ton. II reads m follows
Section IL. The County Clerk OF each
county shall at least six days before cleo
ton day send 10 the Town Clerk OF each
town and 10 the Aldermen OF each ward in
u city therein, printed lists one or more
copies for each election district In such
town or ward, containing the name, resi-.
dence, business, business address and
party or political designation OF each can
didate nominated. rs hercinbclorc pro-
vidcd 20 he voted for by the electors OF the
respective towns aud wards. Such lets
shall bc conspicuously posted by such
Town Clerk or Alderman in one or more
public places in each election district OF
each town or ward.
"Only fifty and possibly less signatures
would he required to obtain this extensive
circulation OF any mans full business card
at the expense Of the taxpayers. How
many lists are 30 be 30 posted2 One or
more, rs many ~ the County Clerk may
choose TO send and such lists shall be con-
spicuonsly posted in each election district.
Tho number IL not limited to ono nor TO
three IN each district, nor to any other
number"
The heavy printers bills that the public
would have 10 pay are also referred 90,
and then the Governor gives some atten-
ton to the operation Of electoral reform
measures IN other countries and other
States. lie also examines some Of the
constitutional features OF the question.
Then. referring 10 his objections Of last
years bill. hc shows that in several inn
porlant instances these objections have
not been met.
BRIBERY MADE EASY.
"Undcr this bill," he declares, at
would be easier and safer TO bribe some Of
the inspectors or ballot clerks than Il now
IL to bride electors ID would require lcss
skill, less money aud much less risk OF
punishment TO place few corrupt men IN
Office NJ inspectors or ballot clerks, and
through them procure the disiranchise-
mcnt Of a Thousand honest yotcrs, than
nov to obtain by bribery of electors one
tenth part OF that number OF votes"
TmE LiNsoN NIT
After indicating his desire that some
bill cmbodying such points Of electoral ro-
form ~ are matters OF agreement between
himself aud the legislature shall be passed
before adjournment, the Governor says
"My vgrct In being unable TO save from
the wreck Of this unwiSc aud unfortunate
bill the ono valuable feature IL contains IL
tempered by my knowledge Of the fact
that there IL already pending In tho Lcgis.
lature carefully prepared bill, known M
the linson bill, providing for the private
booth or compartment system, substan.
TALLY ~ In the bill now before me, and
which has become known as the 'Saxion
bill, aud with few II any OF the objection
able features Of the latter"
An analysis OF the Linson bill follows,
with incisiyc indications Of tho points
wherein Il is superior 10 the Saxton bill,
and the Governor says IL most earnestly
and respectfully recommend 10 the Legs
laiurc the passage OF the 'Linson bill. "
In closing, the Governor SAYS
81 respectfully and earnestly recommend
the Legislature TO enact during the present
session a bill embodying at least those pro.
visions which the Legislature aud the Tx
cculiye agree will tend 10 reduce the evils
Of political corruption"