Evening journal., 1890-05-22
FARMERS INSTITUTE MEETING.
Thomas B. Coursey's Model for a Secret
Ballos Exhibited and Explained.

Thomas B. Courses's Model for Secret
Ballos Exhibited and Explained.
Special Correspondence EVENING JorRNAL.
DOVER. MAY 22.-Kent Countys
Farmers Institute met in annual session
in the Opera House here Yesterday after
noon, and elected the following officers
to serve for the ensuing year: President,
Thomas Il. Coursey; vice-president, r
H. Bancroft; treasurer, II. Ridgely
secretary, Daniel NJ. Rldgely
executive committee-A. L. Hudson,
Duck Creek hundred; David 3. Clark,
Kenton; Peter L. Lowber, Little Creek ;
w. D. Hawkins. West Dover; William
Brothers. East Dover; w. r. Allaband,
North Aurderkill; w. M. Dickson, South
MurderBill; A. II. Cahall Mispillion; ].
S. Willis, Milford.
Thomas b. Coursey, who had been ap-
pointed on the Committee on Ballot Re
form at the last meeting of the Institute
presented report. and exhibited a model
he had prepared, explaining his plan for
secret balloting. The Institute, however
refused to accept or endorse the plan but
referred 1t back to the committee After
instructing the secretary to call public
meeting for June s, at Camden, the
Institute adjourned.
The model exhibited byiMr. Coursey to
insure the secrecy Of the ballot, and the
plan which he has conceived. has several
points which many persons think far
superior to the Australian ballot plan
First the screen around the polling place
could be erected at very little cost. 1t
consists of board fence, say ten feet
high, which Is to extend out for any dis
tance the space IN front Of the polling
place will admit Of Inside OF this outer
fence Is built another, which forms a
completely enclosed alley leading
around to the polling window. At the
main or outside entrance are placed
guards, representing each party having
tickets In the field. These see that but
one voter is admitted at time. When
this voter has deposited his ballot the
judges at the polling window signal the
guards by gong, and the next voter is
admitted. IL Is claimed that as there
can be no crowding at the window, vot-
| ing can be carried on as expeditiously as
at present, II not more so.
| Outside of the main fence before al
luded to is to be another window, a room
where regular sworn committee con-
sisting of members Of each party and tc
be seated Before this committee every
voter challenged by the guards OF in
spectors is to be brought, and wheI
they have examined his case, II they de
eide he is entitled to vote he issgiyen /
certificate which he exhibits to thl
guards, who then admit him into the en-
closure. This win obviate all diff
Guilty at the voting window.
One big feature which, in the estima
tion of many, makes this plan superior t.
that of the Australian system is, in tn
latter system 1t is arranged that all bal
lots be furnished by the state or count,
and that the illiterate who can neithe
read nor write shall have their ballot
prepared by the inspector. This place
this class of voters at the mercy of tn
inspector, who can palm anything of o
the voter. Under Mr.. Causeys syster
the voter of this class can g
to trusted friend and have his ballo
prepared then he knows just what he
voting.
Again, If an employe fears his en-
ployer and is urged by the latter TO vot
a certain ballot, he can take the ballo
but at the same time have another In hi
pocket. which he deposits in secret Nj
Coursey will push his plan before I'll
|
some time next month.
/ Now there is considerable dissensiS
\ going on as to which hundred in tn
county is entitled to the extra delega
i the county gets under the new appo
I tionment by the State Central Commits
I on Tuesday. The general impression
that East Dover hundred is not only el
j titled to it, but that the delegate vi
come from here The meeting Of Kel
connty's Central Committee is anxious
waited for, as several important que
( tinos are to be considered.
a The Messrs Richardson had q coup
: of carloads Of their packed goods, plu
4 pudding, hams, tongues, etc, in 4
' wreck at the Chesapeake Canal, much
4 1t was ruined and Of that which was SO
r back yesterday, the cans were twist
Q into every conceivable shape.
. An estimate places the tomato pack
o be put mp in this county this season
d about 6, 900 cases