Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-19
The Australian system.

II Is believed by many persons that the
presidency was bought by the Republicans
last November. The Democratic Governor
OF New York, and the leading Republican in
the Legislature OF that State-the presiding
officer Of one brauch-have both come out in
favor OF reform in our election methods.
democrats aud Republicans unite in calling
upon the legislatures Of the several States to
provide remedy for this great wrong. II
elections are to be carried by the party
which collects the largest electiOneerlns fund,
or corruption fund. then we have reached
the condition OF things which prevailed In
ancient Rome in her worst days. The next
step downwards-ii indeed there is any
CLOVER deep" TO fall iuto-wIli be 10 ascer-
tain the amount OF money which candidate
for President, or his friends, is willing 10
"put up" for him. and declare that man
elected who will distribute the largest sum,
II is natural that the frequent references
to the Australian system OF voting which are
made in connection with reports OF election
frauds should Stiractthe attention OF persons
interested in a reform OF our voting system.
The following note reached us a day or two
ago:
OCCUPAClA, VA, January 10, ISL
To the Editor Of the Ditpatch:
WlI you please in your paper explain
what is meant by the " Australian system Of
Voting"y A. ). Il.
We might sSy that the distinguishing iea-
ture OF the Australian or English system OF
voting IL that 1t secures a secret billot
When the secrecy OF the ballot Is absolutely
secured, there will be no bribery OF voters;
for the men who handle the money will
never be viking 20 iBtrust 1t 20 the bribed
voters. Ssch at least, II Is cl,imed, has been
the result wherever the Australian system OF
voting has been tried.
A letter from Hshiax, Nova Scotia, in
last weeks issue OF The Nation. states that
the AustrsliAn-bslOt system has been In
force in Canada for the last fourteen wears.
II was adopted In the Dominion In 1874, but
The first election under IL was held IN 1877.
There seems TO be general impression that
the system is complex. and has too much
machinery or red tape about IL; but The
Nova Scotisu who writes TO The Nation
declares that what astonishes him most is
how anybody could call It complex, or,
having once seen It, could possibly endure
TO work with auy other. We quote from
his letter:
"1he district has already been divided OF
into polhug-secnons BY the revising bArris-
Ter, VITO makes up the electoral lists. These
500 electors. Ia each Of these sections tie
returning officer hunts up q conveniently
situated house or shop to serve as a polling
booth. and srrsDges the space inside so that
one portion is completely guarded from
observation. both FROM inside aud out
side. Then he appoints q presiding OF.
tcer aud clerk for each district. lie sweats
IN The presiding officers and furnishes each
with his bailot.box, certified list OF the
electors In hn district, psll.boOk, a supply
OF ballot paper and lead pencils, and a nun.
Der OF printed directions Given m q sche.
DUE 10 the aer directing voters how 10
mark their papers, which the presiding
officer sucks up about the booth. A consta.
bic IL appointed for each booth. The booths
open ~ aud close at 5. A little before the
time OF opening the presiding o6icer and bis
clerk arrive. The former swears 10 the
latter
Each candidate appoints two agents in
writing In practice toe appointment Is left
with the committee a the district; the can
dldates ssgn 4 number Of blanks, the com.
Ditiee arrange who are 10 be sgeRts. aud Oil
IN their names. OF these two AGENTS one 10.
quires 20 he sworn net 10 reveal the names OF
tue candidates Tor whom any OF the electors
may mark their bsilot.pspers In his presence.
This IL for the protection Of The illtte-
rates aud other incspabies. The Sworn
tgsnt Il obliged TO remain 10 the booth
fiil II closes. The unswoTn one can go Ia
and out, and practically serves .as the me-
dun OF cemfsapicsiion between the sworn
man aud his party outside. Each agent OF
course bas been 'postsd By bis district