The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-04-18

B brief explanation OF the way in which this
system effects its objects cannot anticipate or
sHswer csptious objections, but VIII be useful
80 candid inQuirers.
Penal laws are Intellectual to prevent bribery
snd intimidation. The primary remedy is a
secret ballot And this is best secured when
the only proof OF an electors vote is his own
UmeoFrObOFated assertion. Under the Austria
liam system no other proof can be made That
fact gives 10 the most timid among dependent
voters sense Of security which makes him
free. And to bribery il is fatal. Bribers are
not likely to invest money on the faith Of q
bribed mans naked assertion If there be such
a virtue IS honesty among thieves" il is not
acceptable security 10 the thieves themselves.
But secrecy. though the primary remedy for
bribery aud intimidation, is not all that is re-
guiTed 70 purify elections, nor the only remedy
the Australian system offers.
The printing ana distribution Of ballots is a
most important part Of election machinery,
and, left 70 private enterprise, inevitably tends,
as does the farming out Of any other public
function, 70 breed corruption and build up
monopoly. il makes a necessity for irrespon-
Eibie organizations which come TO WELD auto
cratic power over the political party they claim
10 serve, and in turn, through discipline almost
military IN severity, are dominated by an
inner circle Of leaders" As ballots can nei-
ther be printed nor distributed without money
and may not be faithfully handled unless
trusty workers are rewarded with more than
an election day stipend, the organization IN
dertsking the work has plausible if not rea-
sOnable claim for money from It's beneficiaries
and official patronage for Its retaners 1t is
the necessity Of raising these funds and en-
plOyiug these workers that iustifles assess
ments, gives color Of voluntary contributions
10 what IN truth are sales Of nominations. ex-
eases the submission Of official patronage to the
distribution Of the machine, provides ample
cover for collecting a corruption fund, and,
through worker" at the polls, a convenient
channel foE disbursing the fund in brides. And
IS corruption funds increase, masked IN in
crcasing demands for legitimate expenses
assessments grow, the price Of nominations
rises, independence isshackled, and the organi-
Zdtion becomes more Indifferent TO party prin-
cple as its monopoly Of political power
strengthens. Born Of the necessity Of Volun-
teer machinery for preparing and distributing
ballots II develops into powerful instrument
which, ia the hands OF political jobbers. en-
abies them TO buy and sell Office as the Pre-
toEians sold the Roman purple" Already, pool
men rarely obtain political advancement with
out assuming obligations to be redeemed By of
eial perEdy, and the obstacles TO unallied can
oidacy have become so great as often 10 prevent
and always 70 discourage independent nomi
nations.
This political monster would be destroyed By
the Australian system. If the State assumed
us function Of providing ballots there wCulC
6e no necessity Tor workers at the polls an,
the excuse for raising as well as the best mean
Of using corruption funds wonld disappear
Assessments could not then be levied upoi
candidates; for when workers" at the poll