St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-15
OPINIONS DIFFERED
On the Beauties and Efficacy
Of the Australi an Voting
System.
Citizens Talk Over the Pro-
posed League for a Pure
|, i. Ballot.
70
Racy Colloquies Characterize
2 an Assemblage Of Inde-
81 pendentS.
A Committee Will Talk Over
and Formulate Some
"a Plans.

1t was curious meeting that was
held last evening in the chamber of
commerce. The call announced that it
was meeting of citizens DESTROYS of Sc
curing pure ballot at the ensuing city
election and to decide upon the forma-
ton OF league to see that the Austria
liam ballot law was given a far trial. A
large number of citizens attended and
it was decided to form ballot act
league, but the proceedings assumed
anunmistakable tinge condemnatory of
the law. 1t was also very singular that
not single person present, outside of
State Auditor W. W. Braden, was per-
sonally acquainted with the whole of
the requirements of the ballot law
posed by the last legislature. Hon. W.
+. Murray talked somewhat glibly
about its provisions, but made several
glaring mistakes, for which he was
hauled up by Capt. Braden and others,
who chad read the law once" Two
gentlemen of British antecedentS eX-
planned how the Australian ballot
worked in England and Australia, but,
as in those countries it is rarely
that constituents are called upon
to vote tor more that two
candidates at one election, it can readily
be seen that the experience with cleo
ti0nS under the law in those countries
will prove of lite value to this, where
there is mixed population. and some
times twenty. thirty, and even as high
as forty candidates to vote for at one
time.
Archelaus Pugh was instrumental in
having this meeting held. ami he called
it to order, when, without delay, Gen.
Sanborn was selected chairman, and F.
A. Fogg secretary. Among those pres
Mt were:
W. p Murray. A. S. Tallmadge. Fl. S. Fair
child, Manly B. Curry, Dan Aberle. W. f.
laus Pugh, Albert Schetfer, f. Drlscoll, IL. P.
Hail. T. D. O'Brien. D. X. Moves. L. X. Gill
man, Capt. Burger Nels j. Ness, III. q Girls
void, Phil Riley, A. G. Anderson, E. Nj. Van
Duzee. AID. sock, Capt. Wanzer, ": Burton,
c. Miller, j. W. Mason, j. Ensted, r.. Brink,
T. Reardon and Aid. Pat Kavanagh.
p. II. Kelly did not appear, and all
this high-falutin' talk of an evening
contemporary has been induIging in,
setting forth that the meeting would
end in placing citizens ticket i'll the
field, was not forthcoming. Both polltl-
cal parties were represented, but Gen.
Sanborn, in a short address, declared
that politics were outside the objects of
the meeting. There was need, he
said, for a good election law. pure bal
lot and fair count 1t was essential,
if this government he malnI a.ned. that
every elector should be able To express
his opinion and go as securely to poll aS
an infant to its mothers breast, and
with as little disturbance. The QueS-
ton was, ''How shall the league be OF
ganiZed?'
Mr. Pugh explained that ballot act
league was formed in Massachusetts
last fall to secure the full WORKING Of
the Australian law. The. league did
this by distributing literature explain
ing the law and detailed plans of the
booths.
w. p. Murray became impatient with
Mr.. Pugh'S explanation. He was eager
TO get down to business, and, interrupt
ing the speaker. said:
Mr.. Chairman, suppose the first question
is to decide upon the foundation of n league?
Chalrman-1 eS.
Mr.. Murray-Then l move league be
formed, and that n committee consisting of
ten mem erS. with Gen. SanboIn as chair
man. composed equally of members of the
two parties. be selected to report code of
bylaws and regulations.
This was quickly seconded, and was
going through, when G. Tyson Butcher
put in his little Say. He would Offer an
amendment. There might be Prohi
bitl0n or some other party requiring
recognition on this committee.
Timothy ReardOn-What about the Reform
Democracy? Laughter
Mr.. Murray-0h, the chairman will provide
for all you gentlemen. [Laughter.l
The motion was adopted. and Gen.
Sanborn announced he w uld nominate
the committee in few days. A gen
eral discussion on the law followed. d.
r. Noyes desired to say that the league
was being formed, not because it was
feared the new law would not be en-
forced, but because it was deemed