The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-13
BALLOT REFORM.
Cleveland interviewed on
the Subject.

Ex-Prssident Cleveland interviewed ON
the Subject.
BNTrNORF. MD. February l2.-ihe
Washington correspondent oi the Baltimore
sun had an extended interview win eN-
President Cleveland I'm New FORK. chiefly
ON the question N ballot reform, which is
agitating the public mind In all parts ol the
country. and especially az this time I'D
Maryland.
At the opening Of the conversation VT.
Cleveland said that when he went 90 Boston
with the late Henry Grady he had pre-
pared with the utmost care the speech
which be- delivered. I'm IL DE had en-
deayored tO give his views frankly and
fully upon the matters which he regarded
as OF public interest, and he thought
that would relieve him from the
necessity of any further expression
for long time 90 come. bu'
be was disappointed In this. The quesiiol
of MARYLAND politics being brought nap. the
ox-prcsilent thought the Democratic party
of MARYLAND was a splendid organization,
and h0pcd whatever dissensions existed
would bo speedily, harmonlously ana per
manently settled.
A being suggested 20 him that some Of
the southern Democratic leaders at wash
ingtOn were fearful that the adoption oh ih'
Australian system would imperll Demo
cratic supremacy seemed surprising as he
did not see why there should ue any lear
ON that score. "But," said he. IL have
never looked un0n this question from that
point Of view. ] have never debated IN nv
own mind whether the removal Of trick cry
from the voter would iniure or benefit tne
Democratic party Ballot reform T.
riahf and that is why think
il should be adopted !.
said Governor Abbott. Of New Jersey. ai d
Covornor Campbell. az ohio, were two Il
the most astute politicians i'm the country
aud no one could be more pronounced
favor Of the principle than each OF then
THE BOSTON MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
Referring 10 the late municipal election
in Boston. which had frequently been held
up as "A warnin. 10 Democratic advocates
of the Australian system, be said u WAS
folly 10 ascribe the Republican victory 10
the effects Of the new law. luc law hau
nothing whatever tO do with 10, ana no
better proof could be asked of the value ana
Justice Of the measure than the fact that an
the leading Massachusetts, Democrats were
entirely satisfied with its operations. h7
10 the argument that the uneducated F'tei
would be- embarrassed, and M many
/ instances deprived Of his privilege, Mf'
Cleveland could not see that there was any
/ thing i'm H.. Nothing could bc easier than
/ the adoption of some sign on device, al
parent for the most ignorant indi-
eating the political complexion oi the
candidates % be voted for lie thought the
/ best plan weuld be- 90 have lists Of an can
/ didates printed ON orc ticket the signs 10
bo adopted. starting at the top oi each lis,t'
and indicating 20 which party the cahni-
dates belonged. The voter could theni pf
one mark. indicate bis intention 10 vote TOT
I oil tho candidates of his uArtF.
CUMBERSOME AND LABoRious.
He did not approve of the proposition re-
oulring the voter 10 make mark opposite
each candidate OF bis party. This was
cumbersome and labOriOu-, and would re-
sult disadyautage0usly so far as Doth the
educated and unoducated voter va. con-
cerned. Many business and professional
men would not take the trouble 10
make a cross or mark op-
uosite every name. This proposition
would also give the voter who was not aDi'
10 read his ticketall the protection aud con-
sideration TO which be WAS enutled' III
would not prevent the ina, pendent t9'eI
from scratching amy individual candidate
objectionable 40 him. The vital principle
OF ballot reform be regarded as lodged in
the "Oficial' ballot.
TuE OFFICIAL BALLOT.
1
would leave the door as wide open as ever
10 bribery and corruption. An "Oillciai
ballot Only would sweep away. % a great
extent. II not entirely. all excuse for cam
paign funds. that fruitful source Of briber,
and corruption. for, ID The state paid All th'
EXPENSES Of the elections, there would d
little plea 10 levy assessments ulOi
candidates. and contributions from in
tere.ted outsiders. The necessity iol
ballot reform was most urgent, and Indiana
state most capable Of Judging and appre
ciating the evils Of the present situation
b was ripe for the movement in that direction
rHE VIRUS or CORRUPTION.
In the last Presidential campaign thi
yirus of corruption OF the voter bad passe'
largely into the rural districts of NeH or
and thousands of voters who never had bel
fore cast any but sn Donesf ballot. ha
welded 10 tempt alton, and f0r tw0-dOllai
bills. voted against their own con
yicti0ns. II not arrested by legs
! latiOn, il would be- much worse at I'D
p next general election. The area OF brioer
. and corruption would increase. the takeI
of bribes would double in numbers and D.
nrice and the corruption funds would iner
q tably work % greater and greater propo
5 tions.
4 Tux OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRIBERY.
! Reducing the opportunities for bribery q
e lar a. possible 10 "A minimum. would resu
+ in drawing party lines closer than ever p'
fore. for the general voter, with no tempt'
u tion 10 swerye him. wonld ma
i ursllv east his ballot for tl
}, party 10 which he was allied, ho"ei'
loosely. lie expressed his perfect conl
deuce that public sentiment was runnii
strongly in favor OF ballOt-reform, ana I
e believed il would ere long be suihcient
e powerful 10 compel respect ana oteuleh'
L. - : II