Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-22
THE SECRET BALLOT.

THE SECRET BALLOT.
 It is unfortunate for the republican party, and we believe experience will prove it so for the voters, that the secret ballot bill which passed both houses on Thursday was drawn up by such eminent political saints as Governor Bulkeley, Lynde Harrison. Senator Hall and few other choice spirits who have always Leen sincerely anxious that there should be no intimidation or bribery at the polls. We are suspicious of these men even when bearing gifts. It is somewhat up- fortunate, too, that the Henney-I -IIoteh= kiss fiasco should be followed so prompt ly by the elevation to the superior court bench of Senator Hall, the man who led in the defeat of that bill after it was found that it confiicted with the political schemes of Governor Bulkeley. Putting these things together the public which has been particularly solicitous for an effective secret ballot law will hardly feel disposed to go into ecstasies over the bill which was passed on Thursday.
 
 to the bill for the so-called Australian system which the legislature approved and Governor Bulkeley vetoed last week. The bill provides merely for the printing of ballots by anybody upon pa per furnished by the state, and in size and style of type prescribed by the state. Envelopes are also to be furnished by the state, and each town must provide booths in which the voters may select their ballots and place them in the en- velopes. None but voters may enter the booths, and none but voters and election officers may enter the voting room. Ticket ped ilers-notice that this abom- ination Is preserved-must keep one hundred feet away from the polling place. The bill will be applicable to state and local elections alike.
 Such, in brief, are the general features and nature of the bill. As it was framed by republican saints and adapted to the simple and inexpensive ideas Of Governor Bulkeley, it may be taken as the method under which our next elections at least are to be conducted. We do not believe, however, that the bill will be found effective to prevent either bribery or intimidation, nor do we think it adapted to secure that privacy which the voter has right to enjoy in the exercise of the suffrage. Such men as Bulkeley and Lynde Harrison have no use for an effective secret ballot law, and before the public will believe that either of them is sincere the method w hich is their product principally will have to demonstrate by results in actual working that it is effective to the pur- pose intended by secret ba Hot. One of the leading republican papers in the state has contend ed manfully during all the secret ballot discussion that the en- velope system was simply cloak for the continuance of all the present evils and 1t would be very interesting therefore to know how the Bulkeley- Harrison connection, which is nothing more nor less than the envelope system itself, is to effect the desired result. Ac- cording to most of those who have looked into it, it is only step beyond our present system, and it would seem to be designed rather to satisfy the pub lie clamor for a secret ballot than to prevent the frauds and bargains that are now possible. Until the bill has proved itself by actual trial to secure the desired secrecy and impossibility of bribery and intimidation it will be as we'll to be very chary in our expectations of its efficacy.
 As we remarked above, the whole bill. in its birth, it's sucking and it's nourish- ment to maturity, was unfortunate in its surroundings, sur and we can hardly shout for joy over the passage of a bill that seems to be hailed with satisfaction bv 1! she politicians and heelers of the repub- ican party.