Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-01-18

system is most admirable in its workings
There is no more bulldozing by our manufac-
turers. They can not march their men TO the
polls under foreman and vote them all for one
ticket 1t does away with everything that
makes politics disreputable." Thus IL will be
seen that the great political parties, or at least
such elements in them as look for purity and
reform, are fully satisfied with elections under
this plan The cardinal features OF the sys-
tom are: CD All ballots must be printed and
distributed ut the public expense; (2) the
names of all candidates for the same oflice
must be printed the same ballot; (3) the ballot
must be delivered to the voter within the poll
ing place by sworn officers, (i) only ballots so
delivered can be voted; 90 the voter is guaran-
teed absolute privacy in preparing his ballot;
and (6) its secrecy is made compulsory. The
foregoing requirements arc modified and altered
In detail to suit tho views of tho various
States and Nations which have adopted
them, but the principles here laid down const-
tute the salient points of advantage over other
forms of election. You are recommended to
investigate this system, and to introduce II by
proper legislation. Tho details are left to your
judgment and experience. Tho reasons for
such action need not be enlarged upon hero.
it is patent to any ono that when the voter
must retro to absolute privacy in order to pre-
pare his ballot there is no object in bribng him,
because the bribery fails. Equally fruitess
would be the attempted intimidation by en-
ploycrs, or political bullics, or any OF the
crafticr forms OF coercion.
In answer to the principal objection made
against the system-that it might dstranchise
illitcrate voters-it may be said that provision
can be made for such voter to select one of the
ballot clerks to retro with him under severe
penalties against dvulging what may pass be-
tween them. The ballot clerks have no more
temptation to act falsely than have the regis
trars and judges. Another means OF accom-
plishing tho same result is to permit the prepar-
pttN HafOr hr,1. ~ 49,
trusted friend, OF a ballot initiating the official
ballot except in color The ilitcrate voter can
take the prepared ballot into the booth and
there copy its markings on the oflca ballot
This shields him from the discovery OF his illit-
cracy, spares him hu initiation. and prevents his
possible distranchsement. 1t has also been
urged thntitis too tedious forthe elector to mark
the name OF each candidate for whom he desires
to vote. To obvate this difiiculty ballots are
sometimes so printed that every regularly nom-
mated ticket stands by itself on the ballot, and
can be voted rs whole by merely making one
cross mark opposite the caption of said ticket
This does not encourage independence in vot
ing, but disposcs of the falacious charge that
voting under this system is too troublesome. 1t
may be added that there is yet one evil that
mains uncorrccted by this reform. 1t termin-
atcs direct bribcry-that is, the purchase of
persons who sell their votes or intiuence-but it
does not check tho practice of paying men for
voting tho ticket of that party to which they
nomnaly belong. There electors who
would not vote against their supposed princi-
pies. yet seldom vote for them unless paid.
They resort 10 subterfuge, such as de-
mnnding payment for days work; or other
equally bald pretext for obtaining money.
Such voters can be trusted to retire in privacy
and mark tho names OF the candidates for whom
they are thus paid to vote, Consequently
this species OF indirect bribery is not pre-
vented by secret voting. 1t is difficult to know
inc how To oh Nly Nvhp lilo
timcnt becomes sufficiently educated n compul-
sorry election law, with severe penalties may be
enforced. 1t is believed. however, that the at
tempt TO enact such . law would now prove fu-
tile, owing TO the want OF preparation in the
public mind, without which no effective lcgisu
tion can be secured
ELECTORAL MACHINERY.
The subject of improvement in electoral ma
chinery naturally follows what has Just been
said AT present the Governor appoints
the boards of election in all cities having over
nine thousand people by the last census This
is not only subversive OF local self-govenment,
but in the hands OF an INSCRIPTIONS man would
lead to fragrant abuses Popular will can easily
be thwarted when machinery controlling cleo
tions among onefourth the population is in tho
absolute power of one official. The manner IN
which this violation of democratic government
grew up is instructive, showing how rapidly
power increases when concentrated in single
hand 1t arose in the legislation designed for
the prevention OF frauds similar to those COM
mited in the elections OF 1884 and 1885 in the
city OF Cincinnati. Empowering the Governor
TO appoint an election board was n temporary
expedent 10 tide over the emergency in that
city, IL was not intended by the trainers OF
the law that extraordinary power should be
permanently vested in the Governor, They in
tended subsequently, to frame election code
which should provide for State, county and city
boards, OF which the State board alone might
hp int fn1 htrt tha Tpln t,ll
somo such system ought to be adopted whereby
boards which are actually non-partsan, should
be created for State, county and city purposes;
but tho Governor should appoint the
State board only; and tho members
OF that board might, II they deemed proper,
be selected by him in equal numbers through
lists furnished by leading political parties.
Such board would be non-partisan in fact as
well as in name. II is believed by some good
lawyers that plan may be devised for cities
whereby the people can elect one half the mem
bcrs of the boards, and the mayor be compelled
to select the other half in such manner that
the membership would bc equally divided be-
tween political parties. Indeed. such sys-
tom. II not in conflict with the constitution,
might advantageously be applied to the crea-
tion OF State and county boards. permitting the
Governor 10 appoint one.half the members of
the State board, and some suitable authority
appoint half the members OF the county
boards. Whatever plan you adopt let it be your
aim, while giving the people actual non partisan
boards also to permit them TO have direct
part in choosing election officials.
THE ORPHANS HOME.
Tho Soldiers and Sailors Orphans
Home has recently suffered q severe visitation
of diseases resulting from defective sanitary
conditions. Searching investigation should be
made for the cause thereof. special
committee composed OF experts, ought
to visit the Home at an early day.
~
necessarily reflect upon tho trustees officers
of the Home. for the trouble may arise from
causes beyond their control The matter is too
serious to excuse the slightest neglect or de-
lay. The State has no trust more sacred than
the care OF these orphans, and nothing Should
be left undone TO cherish and rear them In
health and comfort
SOLDIERS HOME.
The Soldiers and Sailors Home is unable to
take proper care OF inmates who become in
sane, no provision having been made for the
nursing and management OF such cases. II au-
thority were granted by law TO remove insane