The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-17
COY. HILLS VETO or THE SEA,
TON BIII

10 that oil majority OF both Houses,
since, as an alternative, he recon-
mends his own pet measure, known
as the Lnson bill. The Sexton bill
had been prepared with great care and
was as near as the Constitution and GUS
toms OF New York would permit a draft
of the now historic Australian meas
ure. TWAS, therefore. beyond the critical
reach OF Gov. Hill or any other Off
cial. In South Australia, in England, in
Canada aud in Louisville, where laws Of
the same import are in force, they have
met the public expectancy aud approval.
The Cowier-JoWnal, paper whose adyo'
cacy Of Democracy has secured 1t awido-
spread influence throughout the country,
while advocating an extension OF the pro.
visions OF the Wallace law to the whole
State OF Kentucky, tells tho story Of the
result OF the enforcement OF that law, In
that city, and gives history Of its sue.
cessiully running the gauntlet OF the courts
in its issue OF the l4th as follows
The last Legislature Of Kentucky adopted bill
10 regulate municipal elections Ia the city OF Louis
Vile commonly known as the "wallnce Law"
This bill was drawn with the utmost care, and
~ passage by the Legislature was due chiefly to
SIR Wallace The abuses which the bill aimed to
rcciIfy were NJ apparent that the practical poli-
tcinns did not dare 10 oppose II. believing that II
would fail either In the Legislature or In the
Governor 10 their surprise Il passed both hoIscs
by large majoritcs, aud received the prompt ap
pfuyai OF the Governor Al once attacks were
made upon the law Before the legislature nd.
j1umcd there Wcrc attempts TO have that body
Itself dlscUdt H. own action; II was asked
20 exempt coming elections from rs. opera
lions, because. A. iu opponents declared,
the bin was certain 10 DO declared un.
constitutional aud Il was stated that certain
Judges had expressed their opinion iothat effect.
But the Legislature adjourned without taking any
action Of this Kind. The General Council was SLOW
TO put the law Into operation. but public opinion
was too strong 10 DO resisted. aud two municipal
elections were held under these regulations. The
good effect was nj once apparent. order prevailed
at all the precincts every was free 30 east his
ballot without Interference from any quarter aud
those whose business Il was % purchase votes
found, Tor the time nj any rate their ayocati0n
gone The bond issue brought the case before the
courts. and the law was sustained. an appeal was
taken, and the court OF last rcsort declared the
law constitutional. ami u Is today the only method
under which a municipal election can be held
In Louisville Unfortunately. the Court OF
Appeals has decided that the provision which
discuinnchiscs 90 seems b discnimnchisc. the
iicratc voter l. void aud Of no effect. This dccls
Ton IL received with hilarious Joy by the men who
opposed the law from tho beginning These
expressions Of relief seem 10 ~ somewhat pfcma.
tun II was supposed that the Wallace law dld fur
nsh opportunities pr the illicmc voter IN casi his
ballot but NJ the Court Of Appeals has decided
that those provisions insufficient. Il IL matter
ut little dinicnliy " amend tho law W conform 10
thc demand ui the Court ui Appeals The proyis
lon In tho Massachusetts law will sufficiently meet
the objections Of the cpurt and siill preserve the
secret ballot ns privilege OF every citizen
who IL capable Of making out his bah
lot himself those who aro 20 ignomnl
~ N bo unable 90 rad or write. may
under the Massachusetts statute makes this dcclA.
nation before the uiiiccu OF the election aud 10.
cclyc tho assistance oi ono o. two oi the election
oiiocfs In making ont his ballot. while this docs
not sccuru b. the illtcfatc voter absolute sccrccy
aud while u Is possible that cle'iion workers may
by he assistance Of dishonest oficcrs purchase a
portion OF the ntcmtc vote, stll the other Glasses
IN tho community arc not Affected, aud II will bc
found that them afc Tow who arr willing 10 make
oath 10 the fact that they arc unable 10 read and
write. Tho Massachusetts, provision IL A. follows
ANY voter who dcclarrs 10 the presiding election
ohucf that he was voter prior ~ the nrst day "
| May. IN The year CHhtcon hundred aud eighty.
seven, and can not rad, OF that ~ blindness or
ballot shall upon inquest furrivc the assistance 1T
one ut two 81 the ,lcptiun ullrcu in the making
iheroi aud such onrCr 90 onlccr shall ccriiiy on
the outside thrrui that q Was ~ MARRIED With his
or the.t assistance. aud shal thereafter rivc no In.
| formation regarding the same The presiding ON.
CT may 10 his discretion r.lulr such declaration
| ~ disability ~ De- made ~ the voter under oath
lcior him. aud be o. hcruby qualified 10 admins.
| icf the same"
A man whoasgmc, 10 be- lliicntc. AMI socks In
this way 10 avail himsclf OF this provision. NAV
nni jordan hand mad 10 travel" itwould be
/ easy 10 prove perjury In case whcro a mhn who
/ could rad and write takes such an OATH Ny
/ amending the Wallace law In the manner lndl
Gated, al Of ~ practical advantages would bc 20
cured.
In the approaching municipal election
In Kentucky the Wallace law will be en-.
forced shom Of the illiteralc section. Tho
result will be watched Tor with great in.
tercst, but the friends Of electoral reform,
Tho C,Tid-JoUndi In the lcal, viii on.
deavor TO bring public opinion to poin
that viii deter tho so-callcd practical poll.
ticians from ncu,ralizing It's strength b,
making use Of the compartments for cor
rupt purposes. And that paper promise
tina, No soon a. the Legislature meets
which Il will In December, after the mu
nicipal election has been held, Its altcn
ton will be- called 10 this natter and
there IL no doubt whatever tina
the public sentiment In favor Of tins Law
will be 10 persistent aud enlightened rs I,
require Vt the Legislature tho perfection
and not the mulilation nor tho repeal o
the law to regulate municipal elections Il
the city Of Louisville" This Is mos, On
coumging assurance. aud must have III
effect TO encourage here In Tennessee Ia
friends Of the Dorich act to look Tor
remedy Of IL constitutional defects at
) special session Of the Legislature, II such
; session Is called by the Governor.
il an interview with T'is kastuiie Ho
Z al uf Wednesday Col. As. Colvar ia