The Portland daily press., 1889-02-07


we note with considerable amusement that inst
now now wnen few gentlemen are denouncing our
If electoral system and urging the adoption
H 5scaet ballot as the panacea for all evils the
franchise act claiming that il is ian expensive i,1s
az last driven by popular sentiment 10 amend n
though not till after 1t has cost the country
Bangor Wing. " N0-i"'''
The Wing is SO seldom in a jovial mood,
that when 1t does run across something that
affords 1t considerable amusement" we
are very reluctant to interfere with its hilar.
ity. But on this occasion it seems to be
necessary to do so. Be it known. therefore
esteemed contemporary, that the franchise
act against which the Dominion papers are
In open revolt" has nothing whatever to do
with the method Of voting. 1t is an act pre-
scriblng the qualifications of voters. and
providing for the preparation and revision
OF The voting lists. There isn't a syllable in
It on the subject of how the ballot shall be
cast. The first part of it is analogous to our
constitutional provision as to the oualifica-
ton of voters, and the second corresponds in
purpose to our laws relative to registration
Inc act constitutes Chap. 8 of the Revised
Statutes Of the Dominion of Canada, and is
entitled IAN act respecting the Electoral
Franchise" The act that prescribes the
method OF voting constitutes Chap of the
Revised Statutes, and is entitled San act re-
specting Elections of Members of the House
of Commons" The Whig in The light of
these facts will perceive that its amuse-
ment is entirely unjustifed.
AS matter Of fact there is no movement in
the Dominion to change the ballot law. II
is the franchise law that is disapproyed of
by both parties, and which II is proposed to
amend. II the Wing had carefully read the
dominion papers it would not have fallen
into It's Dlunder, because the character of the
amendments proposed Is set forth, and IL is
easy to see that they have nothing to do with
the method Of casting the ballot. Thus the
Toronto Globe in a recent issue said
From some expressions let fall by Sir John Mac
that the Franchise Act will be amenu ed to bestow
msnhood s9nrage Or more accurately registered
of voters in each locality elections Wond TX
companied by immense frauds In the way az nim-
migrating voters" substitution and repeating
register Of persons entitled to vote on lie strengh
OF residence for short time In any locality wo,ld
Dc mneh more easily prepared and revised than
yides. OF course the Liberal party win beartiiy
ASSIST inc government in. passing any honest
ITaucnlSe
ing the lists. But experience suggests thar II
would be rather extravagant to hope for such a
measure from Sir John.
We get glimpse here of the trouble in the
Dominion. The present law in regard to the
preparation and revision OF the lists gives the
ruilng party, which is the Conservative. an
opportunity, SO the Liberals claim. of dis
lranchising men who are qualified m veto
and enfranchising men who are not o,a,ifad
an opportunity which, according To the
Liberals, they have been by no means slow
10 use. The trouble is analogous to the
trouble we nave sometimes experienced in
Maine citles-notably Lewiston and Bidde-
ford-when an INSCRIPTIONS majority on the
registration board, which is the municipal
board of aldermen, haye put on the lists the
names Of dead men and men who were not
naturalizcd for the purpose of carrying the
election for their party. It's kindred practices
added to the expense Of the present system
OF registration, that the Dominion people are
up In arms against. The method of voting
Is not under discussion in the Dominion Par
lament, nor is any change proposed or
wanted. If the Wing will take the trouble
70 read the programme Of the government as
SET forth in the official speech at the open
ing OF Parliament 1t will see that
Is the Franchise Act and the Franchise
ACT only that 1t is proposed to amend.
our esteemed contemporaries appeal.
.nefeiore' 70 Maine lawmakers to defeat Mr..
Looneys Dill, on the ground that the Can
ADAMS nave got tired of a system Of voting
somewhat similar to what his bill proposes,
and are agitating for its repeal il based an
tirely on misapprehension of the facts and
consequently is entitled to no copslderat ion
whatever,