Omaha daily bee., 1890-01-09
pEmocRAcrAYp BALLorREFoRM

DEMoCRACTAN BALLOTREFORM.
The democratic party appears likely
to be as badly split up over the question
OF ballot reform as IL has heretofore
been on the tariff. The party leaders,
however, have discovered that they can
not avoid this question. which, under
the example OF republican Massachu-
sets, has taken a firm hold upon public
attention throughout the country, and
they are beginning to put themselves In
position regarding it. Mr.. Gle ~veland,
who must still be regarded rs the head
of the party, put himself on record in
favor of the reform in no uncertain
terms very SCOT after the successful
trial of the Massachusetts, law. In adj
dressing the merchants OF Boston, On
the memorable occasion when the late
Henry w. Grady made his eloquent
speech on the race problem, the princi-
pal theme OF Mr.. Clevelaud's remarks
was the necessity II freeing the ballot
from corruption and intimidation.
The fact that the eX-president
clearly intended To imply that
the republican party is chiefly
responsible for the existence OF
these evils, aud that he undoubtedly
wished to have his remarks understood
as an arraignment OF that party. did
not detract in the least from the value
or force OF his views, which received far
more commentator from the republi-
can than from the democratic press.
The influence OF Mr.. Cleveland's ut
t~erances on this subject in his own
party is shown in the position taken by
Governor Hill regarding ballot reform
In his message to the New York lcgis-
lature. Twice the republicans of that
body have passed q law providing for
ballot reform, which Governor Hill
promptly vetoed. In his message he
admits that the present election laws,
while in many respects excellent, do
not prevent corruption and intimida-
tion, and although not conceding that
the Australian system is as a whole
free from objections, finds some OF its
features admirable and advises their
adoption. Governor Hill just avoids
disqualification, but makes a notable
advance which puts him very nearly
abreast with Mr.. Cleveland as u demo-
cratic ballot reformer, indicating an
improved sentiment among the democ-
racy of New York on this question which
warrants the hope that republican effort
to reform the ballot in that state will
not hereafter wholly fail. No less an
influence than that of Mr.. Cleveland
could have effected this change in the
position OF the sagacious and aspiring
governor on this question.
But it does not appear that
the influence of the eN-president
in this particular has extended
very far beyond his owl state. 1t
has made no impression upon the
democra t%icleaders in Maryland, where
promising opposition to the Australian
ballot system, and the southern sena-
tors generally are not at all in sym.
pathy with Mr.. Cleveland's ideas of
what is necessary to be done to free the
ballot from existing evils. These demo
Gratis are very well satisfied with the
system 10Y prevailing in their local.
lleS, uflueF WHICH tlclr COnIiHueu poll
tical domination is pretty well
assured, and whatever may be
done in New York or else
where in the northern states, with
or without democratic consent, for re
forming the ballot, it is entirely certain
that the democracy of the south will
adhere to he'methods by which tina,
party is enabled to hold the ascendency
there.
The progress ballot reform has made
is due to the republican party, and it
further advance will depend upon the
continued success OF hat party. The
New York Sun, referring to the Massa
chusetts law, said its principal success
was in DISTINGUISHING democrats. There
is a very general feeling among tn,
members of that party that this is wha
any thorough and efficient system G
ballot reform would amount to, an,
hence it will get only q very limite'
support from the party generally,