Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-02-20

dent, TAIAa Freely ADOut HatlOt
Reform, Tariff Reform and the
Australian HaIlot system - The
Tariff and the Farmers.
Thursdays Baltimore San publishes an
interview with ex-President Grover Oleve-
land. Says the correspondent: Ar.
Cleveland asked me about Maryland poll
tic. He thought the Democratic party
Of Maryland was splendid organization
ond he hoped whatever dissensions existed
would be speedily, harmoniously and
permanently settled. In discussing tho
question Of ballot reform, snid to him
that some of the southern Democratic
leaders at Washington were fearful that
the Australian system would imperil
Democratic supremacy.
at this he was surprised, as he did not
ace why there should be any fear on that
score. "But," said he, ST hs7e never
looked upon thisqusstipn from that point
Of view. / have never debated in my
own mind whether the removal of trick.
cry from the voter would ipjute or bene-
fit the Democratic party. Ballot reform
is right, and that is why think it should
be adopted" He ssid Governor Abpstt
Of New Jersey aud Governor Campbell
of Ohio were two Of the most astute
politicianB in the country, and no one
could be more pronounced in favor of
the principle than each of them.
Referring to the late municipal election
in Boston, which had frequently been
held up MS warning to Democratic ad-
vocRtes Of the Australian system, he said
it was folly to sseribe the Republican
victory to the effects Of the new voting
law. The law had nothing whatever to
do with it, and no better proof could be
asked of the vslus and justice Of the
measure than the fact that all the leading
Massachusetts, Democrats were entire y
satisfied with the operations. As to the
argument that the uneducated voter
would be embarrassed and in many in
stances be deprived of his privilege, Mr..
Cleveland could not see that there was
anything in it. Nothing could be easier
than the adoption Of some sign or device,
apparent to the most ignorant, indicating
the political complexion Of the candi-
dates to be voted for. He thought the
best plan would be to have lists Of all
candidates printed on one ticket, the
signs to be adopted starting at
the top of each list, and indicating to
which party the candidates belonged.
The voter could thsn by one mark
indicate his intention to vote for all
tho candidates of his party. He did not
approve OF the proposition requiring the
voter to make mark opposite each cam
didate Of his party. This was cumber-
some and lsborious, and would result
disadyantageously 30 far as both the ed
ucated and unsduosted voter was CON-
cerned. Many business and professional
men would not take the trouble o make
cross or mark opposite every name.
THIS provision would also give the voter
vino was not able to reAd his ticket all
the protection and consideration to which
he was entitled. II would not prevent
tho independent voter from sRcratuhing
any individual candidate Objectionable
TO him. The vital principle of ballot
reform he regarded Rs lodged in the
'ofIicial" ballot. To permit On unofficial
ballot would leave the door as wide
open as ever 10 bribery and cor
ruption. An ''oflieia" ballot only
would sweep away TO very great
extent, il not entirely, all excuse 70
campaign fands-thSt fruitful Sourcs
of bribery and corruptiop--ior if the
state paid all the expenses of the cleo
tions there would be littls plea to levy
. assessments upon candidates and contri-
buttons fccm iatorssted outsiders. The
necessity for ballot reform was most
i urgent, and Indiana, q state mos. capable
of judging and appraeiating the evils of
the present situation, was ripe for the
movemsnt in that direction. In the lass
} Presidential campaign this virus of COR
guption of the voter had passed largely
into the rural disttictg OF Nav York, and
} thousands Of voters, who never had
: before cast any but m honest ballot, had
wiplIsJ a kiSw and aor tu;o dol -
] bills voted against thair own convictions.
, II not arrested by legislation, it would bs
, much worse OF the next general election.
Inc area OF bribery and corruption
would increase, the taksrs of bribes
would double in numbers and in price,
and the corruption funds would inevit-
, ably work to greater and greater propor-
tions. Reducing the opportunities TcE
, bribery as far as possible 70 q minimua
, would result in drawing party lines
closer than evez before. for the general
| voter, with no temptations 10 swerve him,
would naturally cast his ballot for the
, party to which he was allied, however
, loosely. He expressed his perfect con-
] tidenos that public sentiment was 11u-
ming strongly ia favor OF ballot reform,
and he believed 1t would ere long be sui
ticieptIy powerful to compel respect AID
B obedience from reluctant Legislators.
/ Speaking OF civil servios reform. Mr..
Cleveland said it was qaits apparent thAs
msny OF Tue politicians OF both parties
would be delighted il they oould smother
it ou. Of existence by Withholding the
necessary appropriations for its mAints-
nance. OF course, they would not hAvs
/, the COURAGE TO kill it directly. There Wal
!, little fear they would succeed, even BY
, indirection, for the principle had too firm
q hold upon the country to be destroyed,
and he looked for the time when its soOp
would be enlarged end its benefits ez-
tended.
Passing TO the subject OF tariff reform
, l found Mr.. CleYeiAnd enthusiastic Gs
, when he wrote his message of December,
! 1857. l inquired what would bs tha
, Democratic platform FOR 1892, and what,
if any, other issueB than tsrib, civil ser-
vice and ballot reform, would enter into
. tine baltic. He wah disinclined to talk
about 1892, merely saying he thought il
, would take care OF itself.
/ then asked Whist c1uld be done to ad-
, vance tariff reform among the sgEicu,-
turists OF the United States. He reptile I
, they were the GLASS upon whom the tarifI
bears more heavily than upon any others,
, and it was to relieve their burdens THAI
he was so anxious. The high tariff had
brought nlortR9ge5 and ruin upon thsm,
and it was hard to nldersAnd why so
many of them olung to what was tnsi =
destruction. He thought the best esv
; reach the farmers and convince q N o.:
, their own true interests was the tao
Q lShment of tariff reform clubs su,y. 4