The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-03-22
A singular Proceeding.

One of the most singular things in
the legal history Of this Commonwealth
is the almost complete silence of the
press Of the State touching the import
tant measure introduced in January
last in the lower House at Harrisburg
by Representative Baker of Delaware
county, whose object is the establish
ment IN Pennsylvania of the celebrated
Australian ballot system. This meas
ure was favorably reported from com
mittee yesterday, and yet of the large
Philadelphia morning dalies two ignore
the fact completely and the other three
make but the barest routine mention of
it. Those which have completely
ignored this step in the progress of this
vitally important measure are the jour-
nails, strange to say, whose legislative
reports are usually most full and COM
plele.
1t is difficult to comprehend this in
| difference. The Australian plan will
make our electoral system what 1t has
always assumed to be but what il is not
in reality, viz, a method for the record
| ing OF the popular will free from dicta-
| tior and intimidation, and with tie
evils of fraud and bribery reduced to a
very minimum. This can and will be
accomplished by the very simple pros
cess OF making the ballot secret. a con-
! summation which the Australian sys-
| tenn will effectually bring about.
y careful review of the State eX-
| changes for the last month reveals but
| slight mention of this great and highly
! desirable reform. Most of the criti-
( cisms are friendly, though in one or two
| instances partisanship and eConom :
have been allowed to intrude their
\ opposition. AS matter of fact neither
| party feeling nor economy have any
share in this question, Judging by the
experience of other communities with
the system. In England il has been
noticed in many seemingly Radical com
munities that Conservative and Tory
candidates for Parliament have been re-
| turned by its operation. The cause OF
/ this is supposed to be that many work
men who were conservative at heart
were in the habit of shouting loudest al
Radical meetings for the sake of re-
tanning their standing among their fell
| lows, but that when it came to matter
| of voting, the secrecy of the Australian
| system permitted these men to vote ac-
| cording 10 their feelings and convic-
| tions. The moral of this is that there
| is no telling what the political work
| ings of the system Will be, and that no
| party is justified in making partisan
| objections to the measure.
The expense OF erecting a few small
private booths in polling places and OF
| printing absolutely uniform ballots oy
the authorities are neither OF them seTi-
Gus matters; but even were the expense
/ tenfold greater, II should not be consid-
| cred for moment - comparison with
the great object of attaining system
whereby the will OF the people can be
ascertained. The mere privilege OF
voting is nothing unless men who are
| dependant can be assured of secrecy and
unless men who are honest are assured
that the fraud and bribery which nullify
/ their honest ballots shall be reduced as
| low as it lies in the law making power
| TO do.
The Australian system is a move In
| the interest Of the people. Let them
| all join in the demand for its adoption.
| -Phild. Herald.