The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-01-17
,l7r>IEtt-JEfN..r ~ 1870 Ia siI.
Tho Australian Syat0m.

Mr.. w N. Kincaid, OF Cameron,
writes a lengthy letter to "a contem.
poraryi in opposition TO what is known
as tho Australian ballot system. His
principal objections to- it arc that it is
mot American, is coercive I in it's .nd;
ministration, and that it does not sub:
serve the purpose for which it IS do;
signed" Mr.. Kincaid, after stating
these objections, proceeds with Some
very novel, il not original, arguments in
support Of them, and after all is said the
reader is left with the impression that
the gentleman has been reading Senator
Germans speech in which he announced
that the adoption Of tho Australian sys-
tenn in Maryland would result in max
ing the State blican, and for that
reason, above all others, Democrats did
not favor it. Under IL the peculiar
methods Of the Maryland { democracy
which have enabled them to hold the
State could not be practiced. : s:3lI
Mr.. Kincaid does not endorse Senator
Germans frank and sensational protests
against the adoption Of the Law; butlbeI
tween the lines Of his letter may be seen
the same motive which inspires orposi-
ton to 1.-THE fear that "a secret ballot
would be a bad thing for the Democratic
party. And SO il would. With the in
auguration Of the secret ballot would
come the day when the Democratic ward
boss would find himself without a voca-
ton, and the "contingents"y which they
have been relied upon to drive to. the
polls like SO many cattle, furnished with
ballots duly fixed by their drivers, would
be 'left to think and act for themselv Ives,
f Leaving out any possible partisan ,ef.
feet the adoption Of the so.called Austria
lian System might have, Its efficiency
has been 50 amply and satisfactorily
tested that sentimental and theoretical
objections toiit will have little weight
with the public. :, Il; ~ NJ
We do not imagine that it Is proposed
to. adopt the Australian system as tits
practicsd in Australia, as MI. Kincaid and
other opponents seem to take for grant
ed. The, law; Of coirse, must be 80 alter
ed aud amended and adapted to our con.
ditionsas not to conflict. in any way; with
our constitution :; otherwise it would
prove useless, and all the evils predicted
by Mr.. Kincaid would certainly result.
Itiis the intention to adopt such; features
of 1t as would DO practicable and lawful
and add to II other features which would
insure the reforms demanded. The
main objects Of its advocates are to adopt
tie principles, which are to make fraud
and corruption and all other evils that
surround our present systemimpossible.
Ell may DO said that after; so many al!
terations the new law could not prop;
erlyi b; called the Australian system.
Well, then, let it DO calledlby some other
name, but for, purposes Of discussion the
word Australian is as good ;,as any other
Governor Wilson, in his message, en-
dorses. the system, with such alterations
as are necessary under our Constitution,
and has submitted to tho Legislature a
bill, which, Incorporates bis ideas. h II re-
ferring to the matter, the Governor calls
attention to the fact! that "the States Of
Massachusetts, Come cticut Indiana,
Michigan, Missouri, illinois, Kentucky,
Tennessee and Montana have adopted,in
various, what is known "a the Austria
Ian system. N Under these laws cleo.
tons have been held In iSlassach usetts,
Connecticut and Montana, and they
have been found far in advance Of THE
old system. i The capitalization Of public
opinion in favor Of the Australian s ay
tenn indicates .thatit will be generally
adopted throughout the United Staten
i az