Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-09
MORE TIME TO VOTE
Wanted by Some Workingmen, While
Others Fear the Effects of a
HALF HOLIDAY FOR TIE PURPOSE
Hundreds of Men Who are Practically Dis
franehised as it Is.
INTERVIEWS ON A TIMELY TOPIC

Legislature should pass law making a
half holiday compulsory on election days,
in order not only that workingmen may be
enabled to vote at their leisure, and not be
crowded or altogether disfranchised. as
many are at present, the opinion of many
people was yesterday asked.
1t was apparent that the project had not
many friends. In its favor 1t is urged that
at present many voters are unable to vote in
the morning as they must commence work
at the hour the polls open, and that thou
sands of them cannot reach the polls in time
to vote after their days work, as many must
travel miles. 1t is also urged that they
should have time to work at the polls and
thus be able to counteract the Vaccinations
of professional politicians.
SOME OF THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED.
Robinson Brothers. bankers, were all OBJ
posed. stating that the number of holidays
now. kept was demoralizing.
George I. Whitney-Oh, give them a
whole DAY. To give half day is like mix
ing brandy and water, and by so doing spoil
ingAt two good things. - = se-.s 4
F. L. Stephenson--I think what are us1.
ally called workingmen have more time to
L
| find abundance of time to go on strikes.
Howard Welch, Treasurer Citizens In
surance Company-I think we have enough
holidays now.
James w. Bell, ex-County Poor Di-
rector-I haven't time to discuss it.
Judge Gripp-I think it would be q good
thing, as it would give all chance to vote
and to work, if interested. 1t would also
save politicians much work. There isn't
much business done on election day, any.
how. From 20 to 30 men in each district
are practically diSfranchised, now, for want
of time.
County Commissioner McWilliams-I am
in favor of making the whole day holiday,
and in addition want the Australian vot-
ing system, so that voters can exercise their
own discretion and put it out of the power
of employees to dictate to them. Ccmmis.
sioner Mercer and County Engineer Davis
coincided with Mr.. McWilliams.
George Elphinstone. Allegheny City
Solicitor-I have never given the subject
any thought, but I apprehend that If the
day were a>holiday it would be provocative
of great deal of disorder in cities.
AS TO ITS PRACTICABILITY.
Andrew McQuitty, chief clerk in the Pro-
thonotary's ofice-Can't see any good that it
would accomplish, though have always
been in favor of it if it could be shown to
be practicable. think most men can man.
age to vote now ii they earnestly want to do
County Attorney S. H. Geyer-It will
work we'll if the saloons are kept closed.
William r. Ford, Delinquent Tax Col
lector-An arbitrary enforcement wonld
stop vast amount of production and cause
much disarrangement and dissatisfaction.
I think all that could be done would be to
declare the day legal holiday. A suspen-
sion of work could not be enforced.
r. w. Jones, Superintendent Sawmill
Ran Railway-It might work well in the
country, but 1 doubt whether it would be
good policy in cities. My experience in
clines me to believe that most men are better
off when kept steadily employed. In ad-
!dition to days loss of production, which
often causes great loss to employers, there
would be, think, several days of demora-
lization among great masses Of men. In
some business know such would be the
case.
james Flood, manager at Arbuckles &
co.. think that, though it is open to OBJ
lection, it might on the whole be bene-
fcial
H. j. McCracken, produce commission
merchant-Since Tuesday do not see anv
need Republicans have for a holiday. They
DO not appear to have needed any time this
year.
BELIEVES IT rs DANGEROUS.
P. McAlister, produce dealer-I think the
proposition a dangerous one. Between par
tisan passion and whisky, fear mobs in the
big cities might do almost infinite mischief,
and in the country those who want to vote
will do so ANYHOW. William McAlister OF
the same firm, said he considered the propo-
sltion a good one. but possibly open to the
objection filed by his brother.
John NJ. Chaplin, Clearing House Man
acer-I am in favor of the movement, but
would make it whole holiday.
C. Kimberland-I am utterly opposed to
il. IIhink the day would be one of drunk
enness and riot in the large cities, and
there is no call for it in the rural districts.
George II. Bennett, of Bennett g. Brother
II think there is an undue tendency to the
MULTIPLICATION OF holidays. If they con-
tinue to accumulate. banks will be COM
pelled TO issue bulletins, to keep business
men posted. believe too much recreation
is demoralizing. +. s. Bennett. ESQ.,,
brother of the above, suggested that the mul-
tiplication of holidays in Europe might be
the wisdom of ages of experience and found
to be salutary, but he was not prepared to
say. whether he thought election days should
be made holidays.
Thomas H. Lane, of Wolf, Lane & Co...
/ am opposed to the proposition.
George B. Logan, of Logan, Gregg & Co.,
appeared to think that the advantages
would be more than Offset by demoralisa-
tion, moral and financial.
MANUFACTURERS OPPOSE IT.
A number of manufacturers were visited,