The Delta independent., 1890-06-10
REFORM OF THB BALLOT.
Labor Organizations Of the City
Unite and Form the Lake
County Ballot Re-
form League
inauguration of the Movement hy the
knighta Lahor-Qniet Work Last
March-Ollpr soc ietirs Join-lteso-
lutions-A Pledge to he Exactrd.

The agitation in favor of ballot reform
would appear to he quite general ail over the
United States. A number Of orgssiizations
nave been formed for the purpose of educat-
ing the people on the subject, and the
literature of the question is vastly on the
increase.
There would appear to he no organization
more interested in this question than the
Knights OF Labor, who, as body. are pledged
I" use every legitimate method to bring about
reform Of this character. For many months
past, the knights of this State have been
watching the progress of the battle in the
East, especially in New York. where, for
time. this reform hung trembling in the
balance, until at last Governor Hill turned
the scale by signing the Saxton bill. The
fact that nine States have already adopted
tie Australian system ofvoting. with various
notifications, all giving the voter, however,
practical secracy in casting his ballot; has
aroused the knights of this State to the
Hecessity of organizing specially for the pur-
pose of bringing the matter bef.re the public
in n definite aud tangible manner.
The order in this city has not been back.
ward in thi. movement. the different Assem-
blies having quietly discussed the question
among themselves, with the result that there
has now been formed in this city an organi-
ration which is known as the Lake County
Reform Isallot Club, the avowed object of
which is to promote the cause ofbailot reform
in Colorado.
Early in March, the FIVE Assemblies of
knights, four male and one female, each sent
comniitte of three to a geuerul conference,
which met in the Knights of Labor Hall
MurcI, q. The Committees were as fallows:
Martha Washington Assemhly-Mrs. Eber.
vile. Mrs. McLister. Mrs. Ganghnn; Joint
Track kAssembly-Mes.ers. McLister, Grove,
r ,bitaille; Silver Dollar rAssembly-M-ssrs
Quinlan, Dennis, Wall; Cosmopolitan As
srmbly-Messrs. Barrett. Cullen, Hynes;
=. V. Powderly Assembiy-Messrs. Volkert,
Gaug,an, Harris.
At this n,eetinga resolution was introduced
aid passed, inviting all the various labor
organ zations in til. C"unty to join with the
knights in agitating the question. At the
next meeting. on the 2sth of March, notices
were received from every labor organization
IN the County, expressing hearty sympathy
with the movement, and giving the assurance
they all would be willing tn co operate in the
work a. outlined by the Knights of Lsbor.
In addition, each Society appointed delega-
tion to confer with the Knights. MS follows:
Typographical Union-James Riland, r.
Nc( andi.ss, Ed Sanford. Stationary Engi-
neers-Geo D. Green6eld, A. J. Whitney,
A. 4. Newell. Painters Union-J. J. Quinn,
Solomon Lodgsdon, Geo. W. Townsend. The
taiiors alsp appointed delegates.
Last Sunday afternoon at three o'clock the
committee from the various X. of l.. Assem-
lilies. and the delegates from, the other organ.
izations, met in the X. of L. hall and
formally organized the Lake County Ballot
Reform Club. A. Z. J. Whitney, Of the
stationaFy Engineers. wns elected Chairman;
john A! volkert, Of the T. v. Pow.lerly As.
sen,bly Secretary, A. s. Matter, Of the Tailors'
Union, Treasurer; and Ed s. Sanford, of the
Typographical Union; Frank McLister. of
the X. OIL; A. S. Matter, of the Tailor's
Union; J. A. Murray. OF the Stationary En-
glneerr, and g. w. 7. wnsand. of the Paint.
ers UHion, the Executive Committee. The
following resolutions were then adopted.
The experience ot the past in Lake County
has been that the political rights Of the
maases OF our people are ,lisregarled by cor
rupt and machine methods. by political
qhucksters and traders. who serve their ring
masters for Doodle. These men pack our
esnventions year after year with an unscrul'.
'slous class. who obey their dictates and say
who shall he elected and who shall not,
thereby defesting the wishes of large
majority Of cnr citizens, and especially tho
honest, toiiins. industrial classes of cur
County ard Stat-. 1t is high tim. a halt be
called. and sgiiation he started ut osce for
the purpose Of securing the Australian ballot
system in this State next Fall.
To that end oraiizrd lxbpr thoiight Il fitting
they take the initiative. and pledge ourselves |
ID vote for no man for Legislative Assemble. |
next Fall, no matter who he may lie, or IN
what political party he belongs, who will not |
pledge himself tu use every honest effort in |
his power to secure the passag. Of such bill |
Therefore, be it
Rssoiped, That VIZ demand the pn.snge of
the Australian ballot system, and that we
slIupon the workingmen of this County and |!
Stat. 10 hold to strict accountability tile As
teiuuiy men NHu oenHtolk, u" ALSO tIle execu. |
tive offcets. irrespective 6. party. who
oppose or attempt to defant, or prevent the
J,ss.nye Of tile above ballot system. he it |
further
Resotssd. That we will correspond, advise |
and cooperate with all league. or clnis in |
this State organized for the purpose OF ballo. |
r-!srm. for We believe in this way only can |
the sacred rights Of the ballot be preserved
from the corrupt influences Of political dem.
arcr"r- and unscrspulous corporations.
In addition !. this the following sesoiu.
ton was adopted aud ordered incorporated in |
the resolutions previously ratified:
Resoiped, That the labor organizations Of
Lake couHtY exact s'Pledge from candidates
for any s6icr. 70 snpport aud US. his best |
efforts toward the passage Of a bailot reform
bill namely, the Australian ballot system.
Aftersstpe farther discussions, the meeting
ailonrssd v ntet June Is. at,wIich time the |
roll-ksok wili y open~dana ali who 50 desire
can iasntify tlssmseives with the movement.
'I6is - thlsuiion Of the Club" said
eesrstney vstk<ss, ITO open an Aggressive
cs1peesyu ak~4rw. We wsai I'll IL. friends
Of 3dlst sstsis - min with 81. iu ti,i. lm,ve.
ass.n - 49,, fi.as IN. ace Y.t.t......fl