Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-11-30
The Australian System Tested.

The Australian System Tested.
The Legislature of Washington is
by the constitution to pass an
election law that Will insure to every
voter absolute secrecy in preparing and |
his ballot. The purity OF the |
ballot box must be protected as on this
depends the success Of our government |
That the present mode of balloting
leaves room for fraud and corruption is
too well evidenced by any election to be
successfully contradicted. It is import
ant to Washington, as well as to any
other state, that her elections be free
from fraud and corruption, and, to ac-
complish tins, Sc M, other method I'll
balloting must evidently be adopted.
What is known as the Australian system,
which was described in these columns
some time since, seems to meet all the
requirements to secure a free and secret
ballot, and, inasmuch as some have
doubted the practicability of this sys-
tenn, arguing from theory only, we pre-
sent herewith opinions of leading jour
nails, based on the knowledge of facts and
experience resulting from a test of the
system in Massachusetts this fall; they
arc conclusive proof that this system
would be the proper one for Washington
to adopt:
Harpers Weekly lind. says-The
most generally valuable of the indirect
results Of the Massachusetts election
was the demonstration of the complete
success Of the reformed Australian ballot
system. The experience of that state
puts beyond question the immense ben
efits to honest elections, and consequent
ly to the public peace, of the new sys-
tenn. The system in practice proves to
be entirely simple and universally salts
factory.
New York World (Dem. The sue
cess Of the Australian system Of voting
at the late elections in Massachusetts,
and Montana render it certain that the
reform will spread throughout the I'm
ion. : x This reform is sure to
come and ambitious leaders would do
well to step out of It's path,
Boston Herald lind. The most
enthusiastic advocates of the Australian
ballot law could hardly have anticipated
such an unqualified approval Of that
measure as was given to it by the citi-
zens Of this state,
Tro id,nce Journal lind. THE sue
cessful working Of the Australian ballot
system in Massachusetts leaves no
ground for objectors to stand on. It
was she first real test Of the system
without any modification in this coun-
try.
Boston Journal (Rep. 1t is safe to
say that the Australian system has come
to stay. I i : The test in this state
was made with all the essential features
of the Australian system, and the voters
Of the other states of the certain
ly i'll the nOrth-will not rest until they
have a system substantially like ours.
Parties, Legislatures or governors, who
persistentlY oppose themselves to this
reform, will go down before it.
Boston Advertiser (Rep. The ex-
preston of satisfaction with the results,
as well as the workings of our new
ballot system are general. The Austral-
ian ballot is a success and its results are
destined to become still more marked in
favor of good government, than was
expected by those who originated the |
movement in its favor.
Bostan Post Dem. The new bal
lot act has proved a notable success up
on its first trial Not only does it re-
ceive the approval of citizens whose only |
wish is to see an election conducted |
decorousIy, freely and intelligently, but
practical politicians Of every stripe
express their satisfaction with the result
of the experiment.
Boston Globe dem. 1t is a ques
ton whether the new system, instead of
delaying the voting and making ad-
polling places necessary, does
not actually expedite it.
New York Mail and Express rep. y
IN one feature Of the elections in Mass
achusetts all parties here seem 10 agree,
and that is that the Australian ballot
syetem worked admirably. Ii
st. Louis Globe-Democrat (Rep.1-
The workings Of the Australian ballot
N Massachusetts trlumphantly refuted
al the objections which its enemies have
against the system
Cleveland Leader and Herald Rep. J
Horace Boies, of Iowa,
n giving his opinion Of the causes that
ed to republican defeat in that state, s
'sys that one thing which materially t
lided the democrats was their advocacy {
If the Australian ballot. OF course, he s
only considers this minor factor, but
t is significant that it should be men I
Toned at all. Whether it really did {
nave any effect Or not, the mention of it +
n this connection shows the strength of I
he demand for this reform and gives |
he republican party due warming to s
tand clear on the right side Of this very {
question.