The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-06-15
CORRUPT POLITICAL METHODS.

senator ia, of course, All intense parti-
san, and he shows that very clearly,
but he is, nevertheless, honest, and his
views as to the evils which exist in the
BODY polite, and the best remedies for
them all are those of d practical law
yer and politician, and not of a diet
ante, tor instance like Messrs. Curtis
and Swift.
Mr. Edmunds is a man who can well
understand the difficulties under which
President Cleveland labored, and the
honest effort he made at real civil SER
vice reform, when such gentlemen as
we have named above were dissatisfied
not because MIR. Cleveland failed to car
ny out the law, but for the reason that
he would not go beyond the law at all.
That Mr.. Edmunds did thus appre-
ciate Mr.. Cleveland's work is attested
by what he said of him at the close OF
his term, and if, in the article we speak
of. he ventures to give Mr.. Cleveland
an unfriendly dig, or if he fingers
much longer upon the d~isiranchise-
ment of the negro at the south, than he
does upon the equally pernicious sup
preston of the employe vote in the
northern manufacturing districts, we
can ascribe it to the honest prejudIces
of the ma against anything that bears
the name OF democrat. Read what he
has to say, and profit by the good that
is in 1T.
AS we are more or less familiar with
the evils that exist in our electoral sys.
ten, and as we arc looking about for
remedies, we shall only quote from the
senator his propositions for reform.
They are these:
81. Improved registration laws, adj
ministered by intelligent, reputable,
and responsible men taken from all
parties.
"2 The elections TO be conducted by
officers of the highest character and
ability, taken from all parties, under
provisions which shall secure the pri-
vacy of the voier and the secrecy of his
ballot, and at the same time shall Sc
cure truth, equality and justice in the
conduct of the election offices.
"3. The public canvass of the votes
witnessed by representatives of all par
ties. and the publication OF full &C.
counts of election expenses.
"a. The final returns to be canvassed
in the same way.
"5. Provision for the prompt hear
ing and decision of disputed questions
by the courts.
sc. The punishment of false and il
legal registration ,.bribery in connec
ton with registrations or elections,
aiding or abetting bribery, or attempt
ing or conspiring to bride, or to regis
ter or TO vote illegally.
az. More stringent qualifications of
jurors.
''S. Oaths by all persons proposing
to register, all voters at the election,
and all persons elected or claiming
election. that they have not been guilty |
of, or aided in any way in, false or
illegal registration or voting, bribery
or attempting or conspiring to bride,
or making false %canvasses or returns.
"9. A large Limitation of the influx
of foreigners and of the naturalization
thereof, and more perfect scrutiny in
admitting to naturalization.
"10. And last, but far from least, the
better education of the voters and their
children-an education including the
essential truth that every citizen of the
republic in town, district, city, state,
or nation is personally a real factor for
good or i'll In the great sum of the gen.
eral welfare; that his W opinion
the best effort of his mind and heart
is the sole true guide for him; and that
in spite of corrupt temptations, or the
blare of trumpets, or the flame of
tor ches, or the excitements of contest
or victory of one party or another, his
mission for himself and his children is
10 follow in the light that his knowl-
edge and his conscience perceive, and
moi that OF any other man."
In looking over these specifications
tor reforms we are pleased to observe
that in every n except number nine
the recent Legislature of Missouri has
passed laws to put ii in operation.
AS TO this one it is the province of con-
gress TO act. Whatever may be the
outcome in this state there is eatisfac-
ton In knowing that there Is a proper
realization of the Importance of the
subject by the people and their repre-
sentatives. We are sufficiently optim- |
list to hope that the people themselves
are not irreclaimably under the domain
OF money, and that they only need to
be aroused TO protect themselves from
its demoralizing influence.
Ca- Lr.,,n;o hoo LoI nntht,, hat