Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-08
OUR BALLOT SYSTEM.
In What Respects Are Changes
Desirable?
VIEWS OF LEGISLATORS
A Variety OF suggestions rs TO How Our
Laws May lie Amended and
Improved.

10000.
But. rs Governor Lee truly says, twelve
months ago the same laws only yielded US
$500.
That there is demand for better-guard-
cd statutes is not that the Democrats want
any unreasonable majority. What they de-
sire is a thoroughly safe and conservative
system. If our present one IS tine best
obtainaOle. why, then allow 1t to stand.
II. however. improvements are possible,
tho law should be amended. That seems
% be the idea.
A DisDofoh man has been among the
members OF the Legislature and iakedWlth
them on this subject and has found quite
a general wish that defects IN tho present
system may be corrected, but exactly what
10 do seems not known. There y, now
ever, no uncertainty IN the purpose OF tho
members of the two houses 10 move Tor
ward with great caution and TO take no
step unadvisedly.
A few think tho Australian ballot may
be modified 10 suit Us. Many declare that
greater secrecy IN voting should somehow
be obtained. Suggestions OF improve
ments in the rcgisjration-laws were often
heard. while some think we had better
"lct well enough alone"
Following are expressions yesterday OBJ
tanned;
Dir. Massey.
1.-THE election.laws," said Lieutenant
Governor John T.. Massey, az al laws,
should be basedupon principles OF honesty,
Sustlce. and fairness. Next 10 tins they
should be 50 framed rs 10 secure 10 voters
The opportunity TO vote independently OF
surveillance, control. OF dictaton. lrG-
roc voting is. in my opinion. the only true
and manly mode. II the sccret-oallot syS,,
TEN does not find dishonest voters II Will
make them but, in view OF the arbitrary
control exercised over the mass OF cOlored
voters hv the leaders of their race and
their white abettors. the ballot system IL
necessity. That system should be con-
yiDued and made as secret IA possible, so
that the voter may be free from fear OF oS-
tracism or punishment 10y those who wish
10 control his ballot"
The senators.
DR.. Thomas II. Barnes, of Nansemond:
am not prepared Just now 10 express an
opinion. 1t Is a matter which requires
Serious and thoughtful consideration.
Mr.. j. ". G.. Blackstone. OF Accomac6;
Am perfectly satisfied with the present law.
Mr. George w. Easley, of Giles: The
question Is one about which there Is great
diversity 81 opinion both rs % what should
be done and what can be done. and am
not prepared 70 make any definite sueges-
ton. No radical changes in the election
law are, IN my opinion, necessary lor our
section.
There should be some alterations in the
regisiration-iaw. among them provision
for new registration at stated periods.
Mr.. l.. j. FOlkes, of Lynchburg: In a
general way favor the Australian system.
] have not examined 10 IN ali Its details. but
have no doubt II is subject O. notifications
- adjust 1t to the peculiar conditions Oh
the south Changes IN our present cleo
tlon-laws are necessary TO keep the regis
tration-books purCed of illegal voters.
Mr. 4. ". Harrison, of Winchester: J
think any changes IL the present election
laws should he very carefully considered.
A change might be devised by which voters
unknown IN precinct except on election
DAYS could be stricken from the reelsi IA
ton-b0oks. 4 registrar on certain day
before the election might be authorized to
strike from his lists the names on those
who have not actually resided IN ms pre-
Cinct for "a certain period before that day:
Also. any change IN the law which would
prevent negro tickef-hOldcr~ from march
anc negro voters mp to the polls and lntin-
idatng them into voting the hepuohcan
ticket would bee very desirable. have not
vet examined the subject thoroughly nor
come 10 q final conclusetl.
Mr. ". /. Jordan. of Halifax: l am not
prepared t0giyc an opinion Just now. II IS
y matter that requires careful consldera-
ton. -
Nr. Charles p. Jones. Of Highland My
view IL that greater secrecy should DO
given to the ballot. How that Is 10 be accom-
plished have no very clear views AZ pres
emit The Massachusetts system, while u
would accomplish that end, is too COM
plox, besides being open 70 constitution
al objection. The Australian system might
be so modified as 10 suit the condition OF
affairs here and obvate the objection
against creating On educational quallica-
tiOn.
NV views "a 10 radical change IN the
clectiOn-laWs are conservative. what is
most urgently needed, in my opinion, IS
Rome change in our system of registration
and a protective clause TO prevent the
presence Of spoilers at the pollinE-places
TO preclude the possibility OF intimidation
and 10 insure absolute secrecy IN the de
post OF the ballot.
MIR. William LOvenstein. of Richmond
city; am opposed to the " Australian sys-
tenn or any new-fangled ideas. want 9
strictly secret ballot, and think that Will
few amendments 10 our registration. anc
eloction-laws our present system Will an
swer.
Mr.. Herbert G. Peters, of Henry: | have
not examined the matter thoroughly, but
The Australian system as 1t has been adopt
ed in some of the northern States does not
meet the political condition here, but Il
might Ice modified so as 10 operate salts
faotorily. This IL certain-we cannot beai
the tax and strain upon us when our PEG
pie went through with IN the last cam
paign 70 keep the government under the
control of the true people OF TINS Com
mOnwealth.
MIR. John NJ. Peasants. of Petersburg;
have not given the subject that mature
consideration which would justify an eX
preston OF opinion at present; am ii
Favor of such amendments as VIII make th'
eleetion-laws rs nearly perfect as possible
but study and wise consideration Will ID
required TO accomplish this result:
Mr.. L. l.. Roberts, of Smyth We ought
TO move cautiously upon this question
There might be some improvement III The
present law but am not now prepared e
saw In what way. Don't know but that the
present law, however, IL about as good al
we could get.
MIR. Conway II. Sands, of Henrieo
Among the many changes that may be
made / might suggest greater secrecy n
the casting of ballots. a prevention OF the
colonization Of voters. and the refusal K
permit voting on transfers on the day o
election.
Mr.. u. ]. Turner, Jr.; Well, the cleo
tion-laws are susceptible OF Improvement
The conditions in various parts Of the STATE
are so different that most careful con
sideration Of the subject from every stand
point will be necessary before any WIS.,
conclusion can be reached as TO what vii
be the best for the State at large.
Mr.. Henry +. Wickham. of Hanover
an not prepared TO express an opinion OF
the subject.
Judge l.. ID. Yarrell, of Dinwiddie
think some change ought to DO made to sc
cure absolute secrecy in voting as required
by the Constitution. The colored voter
OF my section would vote largely the Demo
cratic ticket but for fear of their very
lives, II il were known. think the Soutl
Carolina election-law added 10 the Aus
tralian law. with some features of eacl
culled out. would accomplish the result.
Members of the House.
Mr.. w. II. Boaz. Of Albemarle Tba
Something ought 10 be done to improve
our election-laws is very apparent TO al
thinking men, but how this improvement
Is 10 be effected is a problem difficult o
solution. The Australian method will no
accomplish the end desired if adopted il
ats original form. and If adopted in modi
fed form 40 ag in effect 10 amount 10 al