The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1889-12-05
Tim AUsTRALIAH BALLOT HYa.
TMM,


The widely circulated "Yonthb Com
panion" OF Boston, makes II promi'
nent and valuable feature, 10 furnish
ita readers with ono or more remarka'
bly, we'll prepared articles every week
on important questions OF the tlmeh'
Ia the last issue an able writer eonclae'
ly but clearly explains tho Australian
method Of voting and describes tho
result OF ita adoption, A bill for tho
establishment OF this system failed TO
pasa In our Ohio State Legislature last
winter, owing TO a few adverse votes,
among which number was Included
that OF tho Republican Senator from
Stark. The bill will be reintroduced
In tho Legislature during the coming
session, ana as Molly has honored her
self by the choice of a Democrat, she
will not be put to shame by her sons
opposition 10 40 benedcent measure
OF reform, and Ohio viii have that
terror TO oorruptlonata and bosses-a
secret ballot, The article referred to
10 as follows
"ln 1883 aud again In June of the
present year. The Companion has
drawn attention TO the introduction OF
a now ayatem OF voting, which goes
under the name of the Australian aya'
tenn. We return TO the subject again
because the new plan has been prholl
oally tried, aud has been wonderfully
auaheaaful, and because, being a step IN
the direction OF honest and pure cleo
tlOn6, which good men OF every party
should desire, II Ia the duty OF The
Companion 10 promote this reform.
Inaamuch 90 we have described tho
system 10 detail, wo will now mention
only the outlines OF tho Australian
method OF voting, as II was tested In
Massachusetts IN November.
All the ballots for every voting place
are printed by the state, and all those
for any one voting place are exactly
alike. They are folded once down the
middle, and all the names are within,
and arc hidden when the ballot IN fold
cd. The names OF all candidates for
any Office arc printed In alphabetical
order, and following each name II the
designation of the party which has
nominated the man. Az tho right, OPP
posite each name, In n blank space,
A voter going TO the polling place 10
admitted 70 q rallied OF space and ono
ballot 10 given tO him, Ranged alo0g
the side OF the wall are little stalls,
each with q desk, q pencil and piece
OF India rubber. The stalls are 80 made
that q person marking his ballot can
not be- overlooked.
The voter places u pencil mark X OPP
p0site the name OF each person FOR
whom no wishes 10 vote but does not
erase any name from the ballot, Hay
ing completed his preparation OF the
ballot, he folds II, goes 10 the ballot
box, his name Ia found on the registry,
he deposits the ballot, still folded, and
Immediately passes out OF the railed'oii
space.
Now 40 10 the working Of the system
10 Ia proved by experience that II Ia 10
speedy u way OF voting 40 the old way
was. We know OF ono place where
more than three hundred persons voted
In one hour, without crOwdlng or In
convenience.
IL 10 u perfectly secret ballot, ae II
should be, No man can force another
10 vote contrary 20 his wish, or can
know how another man has voted
There can DO no fraudulent ballots or
tricking. There Is no opportunity for
q crowd OF "heelers," vote distributors
and political spies 10 collect about the
polls, since man 10 admitted TO the
ralled.0if space only long enough TO
vote, and there Ia nothing for them 10
do IL they were there.
All this was hoped for 40 result OF
the new system, aud trial OF II has
brought no disappointment, At the
worst precinct In Boston there was per.
feet order and deoorum, and nowhere
was there q crowd. Indeed for a great
part OF the day not even one person was |
seen standing NJ the door Of the school
houses aud other buildings whore the
polling was going on.
Moreover, every one was pleased with
the system, SO far 40 we are aware |
not a single newspaper In Massachu
setts has found or desired 10 find, aI
reason for oondemnlng u; and we have
not heard OF one voter In the State who
prefers the old way. The Australian
ballot was instantly and universally
successful and popular In city and In
rural district, and with men OF every
party, without distinction.