The Washington critic., 1890-05-17
PI-RE ELECTIONS

PURE ELECTIONS.
In the New York Slp, of the 10th
we find the following, taken from the
81. Paul Dispatch.
Republican and Democratic reformers
Slike are engaging themselves at this time
in trenchant criticisms Of Governor Hin of
New York.
Whatever may have been the motive Of
Governor Hill, it is unquestionable that,
just at this moment, he appears to have the
right ballot reform sow by the eur. He has
insisted upon avoiding those provisions of
the Australian system, which, in this COM
munity, and in every other I'm which that
system is I'm operation, have the result of
completely breaking down all Independent
political action.
The first of these is the device whereby
when cross is placed opposite name of
given party candidate the cross carries
with it vote for every other candidate of
that party on the ticket.
Furthermore, ,@iovernor Hill has commit
ted himself to the only adequate remedy
against bribery, which is the punishment
Of the briber and the invalidation of the
election of the candidate in whose nterest
the bribing has been done.
This is specimen of the false and
disingenuous argument that is en-
ployed by the enemies of ballot reform
There is no device in the genuine Aus
tralsn ballot system by which "inde-
pendent political action" is frustrated,
and that is the reason why Governor
Hill and the New York Sun oppose it,.
The Australian plan makes independent
action possible and corruption impossi-
bic, and that is why the better class of
citizens of all parties advocate it.
The impudent pretence that bribery
can be prevented only by aflixing heavy
penalties to it is hardly worthy of
notice. No rational creature believes
il and nobody who is both rational and
Icrtst would assert It. In which way
would Governor Hill prefer to protect
his portable valuables-by law pun
ishing their theft with death or by
locking them up in burglar proof
safe? The bosses and their heelers ask
nothing better than to leave the bribery
question open under heavy penal
statutes. The penalties would then
frighten off the amateurs and leave the
business in the hands of the .profes
sionals. What they really dread is a
system under which they cannot break
the law.
Society has been endeavoring for
centuries to prevent crime by means Of
punishment. Civilization teaches us
that an ounce of prevention is worth
ton of penalty. A well equipped
New York or Philadelphia heeler will
laugh at Governor Hills proposed law
just as the Governor himself has
done, no doubt-but the shadow of a
deep chagrin will brood upon his brow
when the secret ballot system curtails
the operation Of his industry The life
Of bribery and corruption at the polls
depends upon the ability of the bribel
TO ascertain whether the goods are de-
livered. Gentlemen engaged in vote
buying are not likely to repose implicit
faith in the mele word of the gentle
men whose votes they purchase.
If the first named gentlemen
can accompany the other gentlemen
10 the polls and see them vote accord.
ing to the bargain, well and good. IN
der these conditions commerce thrives
and honest toll reaps rich rewards.
But, when the first gentlemen are com
PEELED TO stop afar off while the othel
gentlemen vanish into the mysteriou,
fastness of the secret policy booth, there
10 receive ticket from souless Off
cial and to vote it as he lists, then trade
languishes indeed and fainting industry
mOults the last feather in her wing.