Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-08
THE SECRET BALLOT VETO.

Governor Bulkeley's veto of the secret prise. for ii had been discounted some
 time in advance. There was no need to
 bell the eat i'll this direction. Never
 theteSS, We do not think that his action,
 indicating as il does his disposition to
 stave off efforts in the direction of re
 form, will reflect particular credit upon
 himself or the party of which he is an
 acknowledged leader.
 The Henney bill did not in our opinion.
 provide an ideal form of secret ballot.
 As we have remarked previously, it was
 cumbersome i'll detail, confusing in oper-
 atiOn, ,sand likely therefore to be some
 what impracticable, especially in our
 more general elections. Yet, as it had received the sanction of leading men in
 both parties as we'll as some of those who are presumed to represent the senti- ment of the labor party. and as it was at least step toward the boon of secret voting, we expressed a
 hope that the measure be given a trial and whatever imperfections would dis close themselves in practical operation might be removed as the result of expe rience. It was because some mode of secret balloting has become an impera- tive necessity that we eagerly welcomed the Henney bill. which seemed most likely. owing to the source that origi- mated and advocated it, to go through a republican legislature We recognized and appreciated the weaknesses of the measure some of which have been point ed out by Governor Bulkeley in his veto: but We did not believe, and we do not now believe. that these weaknesses are so great that they should be allowed to check the advance of great and need- ed state reform. There is no doubt that the governor has made a strong arcu- ment from his position as practical politician, against the bill; but We are of opinion that respect will not be increased for his arguments by the knowledge that he has drawn much of his inspiration from leading politicians of both parties. These are the men. to- Gether with the peanut politicians whose occupation would disappear with the inauguration of a secret ballot system, that are opposed to the reform and that are willing to go any lengths to preserve the present plan which is favorable to thelr schemes and machinations. But We do not think that the wishes of these t iI,1 lS Shn,,ll hn ,>l, we'll understood desires of the best peo- pie of both parties in the state by gov ernor who is sincerely anxious to in- augurate ballot reform. And we think that Governor Bulkeley will yet be made to realize this.
 The. fact that the passage of a secret ballot bill was de- layed until the eleventh hour and that the governor has vetoed it almos Tn the twilight of the session Is conch s've evidence to us that the republican party of the state, at least so far as its leading lights are concerned, is not sincerely desirous of providing a secret ballot. Had the governor been piven an opportunity, by the passage .of the Henney bill or some other, to express his objections at an earlier stage of the ses- sion, we believe it would have been nossi- 1 bie to have framed a measure that womb l meet his views and that he wouId be compelled to sign. The failure to do this and the hurried passage of the Hennev bill through both houses, have not Increased confidence in the desire of the republican party of Connecticut to re- deem the promises of its state platform or the loud professions of it's leadine organs. The whole business in reeard to the secret ballot has been an unwhole- some revelation of republican cant. and the sooner it is brought to head. either oy changes to meet Governor BulkeIev,s Ideas or the entire abandonment of the pretense of reform, the better will it be tor the good name and credit of the party and those who make it's record.
 The people will not consent to be onger humbugged