St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-02
HILLS HOMILIES.
David Tackles a Variety of Subs
Jects and Voices Some SOUND

David Tackles Variety Of Subs
jects and Voices Some Sound
sentiments.
Special to the Globe.
ALBANY, N. Y, Jan. 1. = In his
annual message Gov. Hill calls atten.
tiOn to the variety and conflict of laws
relating to marriage and divorce in the
different states, and suggests that the
legislature take some action looking to
a conference of representatives of all
the states to consider the question of
uniform marriage and divorce laws.
He also suggests that the legislature
recommend to congress the following
amendments to the constitution of the
United States:
First-That the term of office of the presi-
dent and vice president be SIX years.
Second-That the president shall be in
eligible for reelection.
Third-That the president shall, immedi.
ately upon the expiration of his term. be.
come member of the United States senate
for life, and receive an appropriate salary.
This amendment shall apply to all living ex.
presidents.
He urges that some changes be made in the
election laws whereby the increasing cor
ruption which has become incident to our
elections may be prevented, and says: 'It
is believed that the recent presidential elec.
ton was the most corrupt of any in the his.
tory of this country so, far as the direct usa
of money was concerned i'll influencing the
electors. II is claimed that at least 500, 600
was expended in the Twentieth and Twenty.
fourth congressional districts in this state in
the efforts made therein to elect congress-
men: and to secure electors believed to be
favorable to the policy of fostering private
interests. 1t may be difficult TO prevent all
corruption pertaining to electlons, but it
would seem as though much of it can be
abated. 1 invite the earnest cooperation Of
the legislature in an intelligent and conscien-
tious effort to devise an honest and practical
measure designed to purify our elec-
tions. There is mo real demand
for the hasty adoption of an en-
tirely new or untried system. 1t may
be safely asserted that the election laws Of
this state as whole are not excelled by any
in the country. 1t is evident that the i'm.
proper use of money in the bribery of elect
ors is the great evil pertaining to our elee-
tions and one which the honest people of the
state desire to have remedied. What is
needed is some amendment preventing or
making more difficult the act of bribery, and
affording less opportunity for the successful
consummation thereof at the polls. 1t is sug-
gested that the existing election laws be
amended by providing that a reasonable dis.
tance from the polls be Get aside, or reserved
by ropes or barriers of some kind, behind
which no one except peace officers and one
elector at a time should be permitted to
enter, and that each electcr should be re-.
quired to pass behind screens or within com
partments or booths. situated within such
reserved boundaries, and there, Galone, pre-
pare or assort his tickets, and then
proceed directly from such place to the polls
without any one accompanying him or any
opportunity being afforded for discovering
what ticket he votes. The value of such q
provision consists not in permitting the
elector to cast secret ballot, but in compel
ling him to do so. II is also suggested that it
be provided 'Aet .allots for all elections be
furnished at public expense, under suitable
and proper regulations"
The governor calls attention TO the use in
the recent political campaign of pay envel-
opes," and says, "Those envelopes Dwere
foisted upon the workmen who were obliged
to accept them in order to receive the wages
which were honestly due them, and they had
the effect intended, which was to frighten
the workmen and deter them from voting the
ticket of their choice in opposition to the
wishes Of their employers. The law ought
not to permit employers thus to take adyan-
tage of their workmen. / recommend that
the use of any such enveloDes be de-
clared unlawful, and punished as crime.n
ssDAyIp B. Hull"