The sun., 1890-08-26
For tho benefit Of the p. N. l..

Our esteemed contemporary, the Boston
Journal calls upon the Republican ward
committees In Boston Ito name afternoon
as we'll as evening hours for the holding Of
the caucuses." The afternoon caucuses are
to be for the benefit Of solid men OF Boston
who come into town every week day, but
pass their evenings at Nahant. Beverly
Farms, Swampscott, or other summer
heavens OF Boston. "The date for the
caucuses comes so early in September" says
the Journal I" that it will find great many
Boston Republicans away from their homes,
though not absent from their places Of busi-
ness. These Republicans would find 1t per-
fectlv practicable to attend a caucus In the
afternoon long enough to record their vote,
while it might be out Of the question for
them TO remain In the city overnight to
attend an evening caucus"
We don't know how practical the Journals 8
suggestion is. Probablya good many Of the
Better Element Republicans will not 90 to
the caucus even in the afternoon unless the
ward committee send eoupes for them. We
say coupes advisedly. Common Boston
herdics would obviously be out OF the ques-
ton. Perhaps 1t would be better to fit out
large vans provided with the Australian
outfit, and have them call at the place OF
business Of afternoon Republicans. II the
voter won't go to the caucus. the caucus
should be made to go to the voter
We amend the Boston idea in no frivolous
spirit On the contrary, we think we see In
1t certain germs Of hope for our friends Of
the Society for the Consumption OF Postage
Stamps, otherwise known as the Peoples
Municipal League. Tho mere introduction
Of the afternoon caucuses wouldn't do these
amiable enthusiasts any good. They have
a soul above caucuses. and regard the eau
Gus as an invention OF the devil and a trap Of
the politician. But an additional scheme OF
electoral reform might do them good. The
Australian ballot will not help. them, for most
OF them don't know how to use It, Besides.
they usually fall to vote because they are
out Of town or find 1t such bore to
register. The first thing, then, that the
p NJ. L. men ought to do Is to try and get
the provisions for registration abolished. If
registration could be done away with, their
vote would be increased. But they would
be still more benefited II the election laws
could be 30 altered that citizen Of the
town should be allowed to vote by proxy.
How the proxies would pour in from New
port and Tuxedo and Paris and Pau, and
how the heart of the patriot padman,
OLIVER SUMNER TEALL, would sing for Joy.
The sort OF voter who would like to vote the
P. M. L. ticket feels that he owes 1t to his
social eminence to be out OF town on cleo
tion day and other holidays but he might
be induced to fill outa blank proxy, and thus
some Of the talent Of the League could cast
his vote for him. He would in that way avoid
the labor Of going to the polls the embarrass-
ment which his Ignorance Of the location Of
polling places and the proper method Of
preparing his ballot would cause him: and,
most Important Of all, he wouldn't be jostled
or crowded or be brought into contact with
greasy mechanics" and other ordinary per-
sons. He would find voting by proxy little
moro trouble than being shaved by his valet.
II the P. M. l.. could secure the adoption OF
the changes here mentioned, 1t might be able
to control q vote that would give 1t respect
able place among the minor minorities.