St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-13
FAvoRs OFFICIAL BALLOTS
Mr.. Cleveland Says Reform at the
Polls Is Urgently Needed

MIR. Cleveland Says Reform at the
Polls Is Urgently Needed
BALTIMORE, Feb. 12.-The Washing
ton correspondent of the Baltimore Sun
had an extended interview with ex-
President Cleveland. in New York,
chiefly on the question of ballot reform,
which is agitating the public mind in
all parts of the country, and especially
at this time in Maryland. At
Mr.. Cleveland said that whenIs
went to Boston with the late Henry
Grady. he had prepared with the utmost
care the speech which he delivered. In
it he endeavored 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 eX-
pressions for long time to come.
But lie was disappointed in this.
The question of Maryland politics
being brought up, the eX-president
thought the Democratic party of Mary
land was a splendid organization, and
hoped whatever discussions existed
would be speedily, tremendously and
gested to him that some of the Southern
Democratic leaders at Washington were
fearful that adoption of the Australian
system would
DIPERIL DEMOCRATIC SUPREMACY
seemed surprised, as he did not see why
there should be any fear on that score.
But" said he, 81 have never looked
upon this question from that point of
view. / have never debated in my own
mind whether the removal of trickery
from the vote would injure or benefit
the Democratic party. Ballot reform is
right, and that is Why | think it
should be adopted" He said Gov. Alb
bett, of New Jersey, and Gov. Camp
bell, of Ohio. were two of the most as
tute politicians in the country, and no
one could be more pronounced in favor
of the principle than each of them. Re-
ferring to the late municipal election in
Boston. which had been frequently
been held up as warning to Democrat
ic advocates of the Australian system,
he said it was folly to ascriDe 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 value
and justice of the measure than the fact
that all the leading Massachusetts
Democrats were entirely satisfied with
its operations. As to the argument
be embarrassed. and in many
instances deprived of his voting
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 for the
most ignorant indicating the political
complexion of the candidates 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 indi-
eating to which party the candidate be-
longed. The voter could then by one
mark indicate his intention to vote for
not approve of the proposition requir-
ing the voter to make mark opposite
each candidate of his party. This
was cumbersome and laboriOus, and
would result dlsadvantageously so far
as both the educated and the
uneducated voter was concerned. Many
business and professional men would
not take the trouble to make cross or
mark opposite every name. This pro-
vision would also give the voter who is
not able to read his ticket all the pro-
lection and consideration to which he
was entitled. 1t would not prevent the
independent voter from scratching any
individual candidate Objectionable to
him. The vital principle of ballot
reform he regarded as lodged y in
the official ballot. TO permit an
unofficial ballot would leave the door as
wide open as ever to bribery and cor
ruption. An ''official'' ballot only would
sweep away to great extent. if not en-
tlrely, all excuse for campaign funds,
that fruitful source of bribery and cor
ruption, for if the state paid all
the expenses of the election there
would be little plea to levy assessments
upon candidates and contributions from
interested outsiders. The necessity for
ballot reform was most urgent, and In
diana, state most capable of Judging
and appreciating the evils of the pres
ent situation, was ripe for the movement
in that direction. In the last pTeSiden-
tial campaign
THIS VIRUS OF CORRUPTION
of the voter had passed largely into the
rural districts of New York, and thou
sands of voters who never had before
cast any but an honest ballot had yielded
to temptation, and for 81 bills voted
against their own convictions. If not
arrested by legislation it would be much
worse at the next general election.
The area of bribery and corruption
WOulu increase, Tile takers OF DrlDeS
would double in numbers and in
price and the corruption funds would
inevitably work to greater and greater
proportions. Reducing the opportuni-
ties for bribery as far as possible to a
minimum would result in drawing party
lines closer than ever before, for the
general voter, with no temptation to
swerve him, would naturally cast
his ballot for the party to
which he was allied, however loosely.
He expressed his perfect confidence
that public sentiment was running
strongly in favor of ballot reform. and
he believed it would ere long be suffi-
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