The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-01-09
THE QUESTION OF THE HOUR.
SHALL WE HAVE HONEST eLecTloNse
Additional Suggestions From Readers of
1.-The Sentinel in the Interest of Ballot
Reform-How Can the Corrupt Expen-
ditures in Campaigns be Stoppedo

To THE EDIToR-Sr: Since my contribu-
ton to The SENTINEL some weeks ago on bal
lot reform and the Australian system, quite a
number of contributors have expressed their
sentiments on the subject in your valuable
columns, and many innovations have been sug-
gested which surely must show a commenda-
bic spirit. | appreciate that the object is TO
obtain the greatest security to the franchise
with the minimum of expense, and at the same
time to render the measure as simple and COM
prehensive as it is possible TO make it. There
were certainly many suggestions by your cor
respondents which, if adopted, would do much
good. But I believe the Australian system
will come nearer meeting the requirements
than anything differing from the system
in its important features thus Tar sug-
gested. ] could suggest several plans, but L
think none could beat the Australian system.
The question is a complex and difficult one
because our state finances seem 10 be pretty
low and would be still lower If we had let the
republicans in power. But TO secure good
law will require additional expense in securing
a registration, and another in getting tickets
printed and properly distributed. | do not
approve of the registration laws some states
have in operation, which compel the voter to
appear at certain places and certain times
and register before he is entitled TO vote any
ticket. 1t is taken advantage of by unscru-
pulous employers. lt is one thing TO have
law and another to enforce it. We must have
laws with no loop-hOles for the briber to Jump
through
| suggest that the assessors make a poll of
the votes in their respective districts, because
the voter has TO be in the state six months.
The assessor to be put under severe penalties
for asking a voter his politics, and TO turn over
the books to the auditor OF the county, and to
get the votes, names and respective voting
places none could vote illegally. This plan
would insure in full return OF all persons
liable for poll tax, as well a full return of all
legal voters. The payment of poll tax
should not be made contingent on
the right to vote, us that leads
to a species Of bribery, and it assures no
advantage not otherwise guaranteed. For the
second poll the state ought to be empowered TO
appoint two men in each precinct one of each
leading party,to be suggested by officers of such
political organization, to take poll of all
voters in their precinct under the same cOndi-
tons as the assessor acts. This poll to be made
within twenty days of election. These men to
be compensated in such sums as may be deter
mined upon. Also making il compulsory upon
such individuals to act, unless reasonable ex-
cuse is offered, the proper authority to deter
mine upon such excuses. In Massachusetts
the tax assessors make the polls or return of
the voters, and such law enforced in Indiana
would be good law and get the complete reg
istration of the legal voters in each voting pre-
cinct. This would be an advantage TO the
farmers of Indiana and labOring men. The tax
payers now pay for the printing and distribu-
ton of tickets indirectly; by this they pay d.
rectly
Let the state of Indiana 60 us justice and
distribute the tickets as | have suggested
above. In some cases voter wants to vote for
a candidate and can find no tickets, c0nse-
quently the voter has to vote for a candidate
he doesn't want to support, or not vote at all.
Under my plan he could go to the officers and
get ticket and vote for his choice.
In the matter of providing voting places it is
not necessary TO 90 into any elaborate Details
nor is it necessary for the state to provide any
extraordinary complicated paraphernalia, as
has been suggested by many of your contribut-
ors. The simplest and least complicated will
be more effective and cost less Make it COM
pulsory on the voter to mark the ticket in one
of these compartments in front of him on a shelf
provided before leaving there, and prescribe
penalties for disobeying such Instructions and
it will not require elaborate Office fixtures to
insure the best results.
Take the dear old SENTINEL and let US push
these plans before the next legislature, which
meets soon. {. b. HENRY.
Boston, Ind, Dec. Is.