New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-17
United STATES ELECTIONS.


Mr.. Lodges Election bill is intended TO pro-
,;do q now and Uniform mode of conducting
Congressional elections in all parts OF the co.h-
tIv. 1t is true that unless 300 voters III ii as
irct petition for enforcement OF the ac'' INC
election of a Representative will there continue
under State laws. But il is presumed that one
party or another in almost every district III inc
country will soon desire 10 call INTO operd'lol
the safeguards against fraud when the piil
supplics. Upon such a petition the Judge OF
tho United States District Court is required 10
MACE the next Congressional election in that
district under the provisions of the act. and to
annont for the Congressional district all Of
Gccrs of registration and election. The regis
trars must be one of each leading party ana
must post preliminary lists OF voters In e'c"
precinct. afterward holding public mee'ihgS
for registration, WHICH shall cease not less IMAM
ten DAYS before election. Unless registered
NO nerson can enter within the voting encloS-
urc.
The method of voting is substantially tho
Australian or Massachusetts, system, WIN al
official ballot exclusion of voters from all
sc,ntinv while preparing their ballots. and pro-
lection against any interference Inc pro-
visions for punishment of disclosure OF ballots
or ;n+orforence with voters destruction OF
election supplies or failure by election officers 10
ncrform their duties faithfully. place enforce
mcnt Of the law under entire control oil the
CONT and the marshal of the court selects
dcnutv marshas to preserve order and to Sc
cnre TO all qualified voters the peaccahe en-
e,cise of their rights. Finally the votes are to
no returned 10 the clerk Of the District Court,
who with the Judge shall compute the result
and certify il 70 the clerk Of the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES. who shall place on the roll
the names of Representatives thus ccr'iheu
In many parts OF the country the provision
for registration of all voters. and for inc oA-
clusion OF those who fail 10 register, VIII he an
unwelcome innovation. Bat it has plainly be-
come necessary 10 have at command ample
means of protecting honest voters IN the use
of their suffrage. since the legally qualihcd
voter is in effect robbed of his franchise II ne Is
outy0ted by election officers. by dead men or
hv ropeaters after the jersey City fashion II
the ucoplc of any district desire 10 aNoH me
Inconvenience OF the law. they have Only 10
make their elections 50 fair and just 10 all that
+borc may not be found 400 voters in distinct
to anrly for the defence Of United states laws.
Tho cost Of registration. and of providing Not-
ING places and ballots. falls upon the niied
! States. and an appropriation OF S'oo'ooo Is
embraced for that purpose, which will probably
be found too small. But were the cost zen
times ~ great. il would be we'll and wisely eN-
pendcd if il would secure in election OF fepro-
! scntativcS in Congress a fair and true express
sion of the will Of the people
This measure. if adopted would put an END
70 tbc industry Of ballot-boX suffers and ic
uea,ors and 10 the making Of fraudulent OF
forced returns for il i not 10 be presumed
that an, United states Judge would select iol
election officers persons capable OF pcrpctrailnl
ar cnnniyiuc al such crimes Protection Il
each voter against violence or intimidation
cannot practically be given in some parts 81
the country. but wherever that wrong exists
and can in the main he removed, the number
of IDENTITIES can be increased N the discretion
of the Court in many cases the presence or ;
SINGLE official. clothed with the authont!
Of the Court. will suffice 10 preserve
order and secure obedience 10 the law
However radical may be the change whici
this bill uroposcs il would be a change in IN
direction Of greater freedom and fuller cXclclS
of his rights for every qualified voter J
wouId set an example. moreover which STAT
authorities could not long refuse to follow II
,osncct IA methods Of registration and voting.