Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-03
BALLOT REFORM NEEDED.
SOME OPINIONS CLEANED FROM THE
NORTH SIDE.
Allegheny Democrats and n Few Republic
cans Indorse It-A Demand for a Secret
Sste- Independents Republican, Will
Vote for Paftison.


cans Indorse It-A Demand for Secret
Vote Independent Republican, Will
Vote for Paitison.
The Democratic State Convention, now in
session at Scranton, has declared itself in
favor of ballot reform. 1t has incorporated
plank in its platform demanding that a
constitutional convention be called for the
purpose of removing the marked ballot
clause of the election law, so that
laws may be enacted which will assure
the absolute secrecy of the ballot,
the freedom of the voter and the purity of
the election. Such q question, when
brought to the attention of the people, will
cause them to think, and slight interroga-
ton on the subject will persuade them to
talk.
A DISPATCH reporter made an excursion
in Allegheny yesterday, and, notwithstand-
ing the great heat, was able to gather some
opinions from some Of its representative cit
izens. A few Republicans said they would
vote for Pattison, but they were mostly of
the independent stripe.
L. M. Allen, Ind. Rep.-I am always in
favor Of reforms, especially in politics, for
they are always needed there very badly.
If doing away with the marking of tickets
will secure secrecy and a reasonable degree
OF purity, am in favor OF the proposed
measure. I imagine little of the Austria
lian method would help clean the politics of
this State.
FAvoRs AN OPEN BALLOT.
W. T. Frazier, Dem.-I am in favor of an
open ballot. The only proper way to vote
is to cast ballots as they used to do in Vir-
ginia. There the voter walked up to the
window and called out the name of his can
didate, and it was SO recorded within. I'll
vote for Pattison, of course. I'm Demo-
crat.
J. A. Elliott, Rep.-The election law is a
good thing as it is. am not in favor of
aDv change.
j. c. Boyer, Rep.-I see no reasonable
objection to marking tickets as now prac.
ticed under the law; it's better than the sys-
tenn it has supplanted. I suspect the Aus
tralian system will supplant the present one
by and by.
DR.. Hazard, Reptile present election
law isthe best we ever had. In case of a
contest it is very necessary to number the
ballots, and if there is no contest the abso.
lutte secrecy of the ballot is preserved. I
will vote for Delamater and all other Re-
publican nominees.
J. W. Riddle, Rep.-I'm satisfied with
4
right, and I'll vote the Republican ticket.
b. b. Negley, Rep.-I'm Republican,
and am satisfied with the existing election
law.
P. B. Welch. Ind. Rep.-There ought to
be some change in the mode of voting. I'll
vote for Pattison.
Chief Murphy, Reptile law now is all
right, and in case of contest is necessary.
1 was for Montooth, but I'm Republican
and won't bolt the ticket.
Superintendent Morrow, Reptile OBJ
ject in having tickets marked was to prevent
duplication BY collusion of the voter with
an inspector. see nothing wrong with
Delamater.
ANEEDED REFORM.
Prof. Patterson, Dem.-The reform pro-
posed is needed. Tickets voted in this city
have been found in the hands of children on
the streets. These fellows who run elections
don't regard their oath. They can tell how
the people voted. think the idea is good
one, and am in favor it. I'll vote for
Pattison.
w. A. Downing. an oil operator of Wash
ington, and Republican, said he was salts
fed with the present election system. "I am
going to vote for Psttison and know lots
of oil men who will do the same" be added.
DyCIb, 4sSps~4uC ASmOcTdCy ID
always demanding some reform, but they
remain the same old party. am in favor
of a more secret ballot than the system we
have now, but 1 don't want Democratic
one. I'm not real sure, but perhaps I'll
vote for Pattison.
J. T. Jackson, Rep.-I am in favor of the
Australian system of balloting. l won't
vote for Pattison this year.
A. c. Heckel, Rep.-I can't see that any
reform is necessary. 1 always vote the
Republican ticket.
Alex. Knox, Dem.-I think the absolute
secrecy of the ballot is necessary, and we
need the reform asked. I'll vote for Patti
son.
j. R. Beacon, Ind. Reptile election
law is all right in the hands of honest men.
I'll vote for Pattison in preference to a
machine candidate at all times.
Martin Donnelly, Dem.-No man has
the right to know how any other man votes.
I'm in favor of secret ballot. Of course
I'll vote for Pattison.