The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1890-07-24
.THI AUSTRALIAN SYSTEM.
HOV Our Elections Are to be Conducted
In the Future.
Complete Instructions ns 60 How
the Votes are Cast and Something
About the origin Of the - stem.

10 uOuDtlul " one IN tnTee persons VINO en-
dorse II really understand the workings
Of the system.
According to testimony given before the
British parliamentary committee, the sys.
TEN did not originate in Australia at all,
but in the little town Of Maryport, Cum.
berland. The system in its details and
perfection undoubtedly belong to Austria.
lia, however. But 50 far from being con.
6ned to the limits Of the biggest island,
or the smalles. continent, however, II is q
fact that the system has extended until il
is known and appreciated all over the
civilized globe. England. Belgium, Nor.
Say, Australia. Italy, Canada and Lux.
enburE, all vote by the Australian sys.
ten, as well as the states Of Massachu.
setts, New York, Tennessee, Connecticut,
Maryland, Indiana, Montana, Nebraska,
and last but not least, the state of Wash
ington. Wisconsin has partially adopted
the system, and elections in the city oi
Louisville, KY, are held under It.
The statutes vary more or less in vari-
Gus sections, but the general effect Of all
is the same. The Law adopted by the last
legislature Of this state embraces nearly
all OF the features Of tho system.
The act provides that all ballots shall
be printed and distributed at public ex.
pense. But one ballot will he printed,
and this will contain the names Of all
candidates, no matter by what party
they may be nominated. This will en-
able any body Of citizens to have the
name Of their candidate printed on the
ballot with all others, so that all may
have an equal show. Each voter will be
allowed but one ballot. Should this be-
come mutilated another one may be pro-
cured by returning the mutilated one to
the official who distributes the ballots.
Certificates Of nomination for municipal
officers shall be fled with the city clerk
not more than thirty days and not less
than three days before election.
A candidate may he nominated other
than by convention or primary meeting
by the filing with the city clerk Of Ger.
ti6cate with fifty signatures, stating that
the person has been nominated for the
Office named.
Each precinct shall contain, as nearly
as possible, 250 voters, so being the max
imum. II at any election over 800 votes
should be cast in any precinct, it is the
duty Of the inspector Of that precinct to
report the same, and before the next elec.
tion it shall be divided.
A voter is at liberty in this state to
write or paste on his ballot the name Of
any person for whom he desires to vote
for any Office, and such vote shall be
counted the same IL printed upon the bal
lot, and marked by the voter, and any
voter may take with him into the polling
place any written or printed memorandum
or paper to assist him in making or pre-
pairing his ballot.
Before delivering any ballot to an elec.
tor, the inspector or judge Of election shall
print on the back and near the top Of the
ballot, with stamp provided for the pur.
Pose, the words "Official Ballot" the
name or number Of the election precinct,
the name Of the county, the date Of elec.
tion, and the meme and official designa-
tion Of the clerk who furnished the ticket.
In Tasmania the ballots we're not origi.
nalIy stamped, though oil the other details
Il the new system were observed. A
sbrewd worker thought out a scheme to
compel those whose votes he had pur-
chased to abide by the contracts. He
sent in one voter with q blank sheet Of
paper Of similar form to the ballots. The
bribed voter got his ballot from the ballot
clerks, retired to his booth and then de-
posted the blank sheet Of paper, carrying
the ballot out to his principal. The prin-
,ipal filed this out as he wanted It voted
and gave It TO another man. This voter
went in and received another ballot, but
deposited the one prepared by the vote
buyer. When he came out he surrendered
his blank ballot, and this game was con-
tinued.
~. L,..L h.,,., 4. ..., -. -,
"y ~ o'aH - s III '.,"s % a.. ~. o"o~eu
a. wv .T.e .,,n., su 80 !. ~. sue ';uer ~ o"s'
without voting unless he returns the bal
lot given him when he enters.
In any Of the states and countries that