Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-02-20
THE AUSTRALIAN BALLOT
THOMAS n. Oman 4M's sPEE0H ON
1'AE hUBJEOc.
The History OF tho australian Sys-
tenn Given and Hts Advantages
Demonstrated g. The Extent 10
which IL IN al Present in Vogue in
This Country.

Thomas II. Graham of Kenton. Dsl.,
law student at the University Of Penn
nvlvania, addressed tho mambsrs OF the
Noung Mems Democratic Club, last night
week on the subject of Australian ballot
, system. There was fair audience pres
emit. Upon the platform were President
Campbell, Judge Houston, Judge Ball,
Senator ponahoe, General L. +. Arm
strong. The speaker was introduced by
the president, who briefly stated the sub
tect to be- discussed. MIR. Graham spoks
es followe:
I am to speak to you this evening on
the subject OF ballot reform; and as bal
lot reform "a urged to-day involves the
discussion CT the Australian system Of
voting, permit me TO pre- ace my remarks
: with brief history of that system and
the manner OF its operation, l will say
at the outset that there are three methods
of voting that are in vogue among tae
English speaking race: Firstly, "the open
or viva vooe system" By which the vcter
announces openly ut the polls the oandi-
date Of his chDice. This system exists to-
day in the state elections of Kentucky
ami was the one that the Australian rys-
TEN supplanted in Australia and Eng
land. The second method is the aileat
system, which il peculiar 10 the United
States, aud which eIiats in our State to-
day. Though it ia 3 ballot system, aud
the names on tho ticket are not observed,
yet this method permits intimidation, for
there arc certain indioiR that show how
. man votes. The third system Is the
.ecret Hystem, which had its incop-
tion in Australia, and is now knocking
at our door for admission. The sys-
tom hGa such excellent features that l
think Sfter an explanation OF il, it caa
argue iis own case with those not familiar
with it, and IL AXE its own oonverts.
Legislation einbodying this system Of
secret voting was first proposed in the
legislative council OF South Australia
(Which corresponds to our Senate) In
1851. By Francis y. Du.ton. Mr.. Dutton,
like the sponsor of every reform move
ment, met with much opposit on for sew
eral sessions until 1857 when his measure
was passed. Victoria End New South
Wales, adopted the system about the
same time. tasmania Incorporated II into
her laws in 1858, aud New Zeaiand in
1870. In England, in 1869, committee
was appointed, with the Marquis OF Hart.
ingtou in the chair, to inquire into the
existing methods Of conducting elections
In order to further gusrantss to the coup.
try tranquility, purity and freedom" in
parliamentary aud municipal elections
The committee took evidence for three
months and examined witnesses from the
United States, France, Italy, Greece, and
Australia, steadily endeavoring to make
some comprehensive solution of the
problem. In $40, Marquis of Hsrting
toms committee reportei in favor of thi
Australian system. Later in the same
year William 10 Foster, Secretary BGuot
and Lord harrington introduced ballo
act which was reoommitted and amended
from session to Hession for more than twC
years, until May, 1872, IL passed the
house Of commons aud subsequently, tool
itB place among the statutes. 1t WEI
based substantially on the South Austria
lisn system. II ia interesting as matte
OF legislative practice in England as vel
es being high tribute to the Australian
system to note that England in adopting
that system in 1872 limited it to expirl
on Dec 'mber Slst, 1880, but it has beer
re-enacted from year to year ever since
writer on ballot reform in Bnglsnt
says: Zone OF the conmonest facts o
Britieh elections before 1872 was the con
trolling influence exercised by large Gus
toners over trRiesmen Of all aorts. Land
lords intimid0ted their tenants, an,
marched detschments to the polls to yot
in their interest,"" and in 1876 after fou
years trial OF the system Sir Josep
Heron, town clerk of Manchester sal
"Those disorders that used 10 occur unde
open voting have ceased altogether.
believe that suoh thing as bribery doe
not exist at Manchester"
From England, this ballot rotor
spread to the English colonies III Amurice
1t was adopted by the Legislature Q
British ColuMbia in 1878; by the Prov
dence Of Ontario and the Dominion q
Cana in 1874; Qasbeo in 1875; th
Northwest Territories (by the lieutenant
governor in counoils) IN 1885, and by th
legislature of Manitoba in 1886. Thu
we see that secret voting early gained
home on the Western Continent.
Belgium aftOr carefully studying Il
Ballot act of England of 1879 adopte
the Australian system in 1877. 9th.
European countries followed in the wal
of England and Belgium and incorp,
rated more or less of the system in,
their statutes.
Our country seemed tardy in taking ht
place in this procession OF ballot reform
Michigan was the fr,t OF the UlitC
States TO propose eny legislation on til
line. In January, 1885 n bill WAS intr
duced into her legislature EN- YodyinR Il
Australian systsm. The iaeGsare W
lost and its fate was similar at every su
ceeding session.
IN 1888, Kentucky passed a bill r
qniring the municipal elections Of Loui
vile TO be held in accordance with Ia
Rystem. There 10 constitutional BARR
In Kentucky to the Legislatures exten
ing the law 10 state elections, rs tho
elections are rcqnired to be by viva vo
voting. Lo6isyllle ut her municipal ole
tion of December 4th, 1858, won tho d
iiaoiion of being the ii,st place in Il
United States to test the psaetipility
the Australian system. LIS success
told in these words Of u correspondent
the New York Mutton "phe election
louisville last Tuesday was the first N
nicipal election have ever known viii
was mot bouSht outright, AS matter
fact no altempts Mt bribery were made
MasgRchusetls was the fret state to {
tend the operation OF tho syeten to sta
elections. She held her first eleoti
under the nav method in November, lSt
Tho other states which have adopted
Australian system of voting are WiscO
sin, Rhode Island, Indieua, Nilsson
Tennessee, Ccauecticut, Montana, MINI
sofa and Dakota. Mpst of the 9th
states have had measures embodying Il
system before their legislatures. In N
York it WAS killed by veto; in New Jers
and Colorado it passed. the lower hot
mud was given quietus in the sen;
committee; and in the other states it v
either silsntly inferred before coming
vote or was voted upon adverse