The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-05
SUNDAY. JANUARY 8. 1890.


B4LLOr REFORM.
While toe TINES has consistently sup
ported the sentiment 80 rapidly crJS-
falliziag It the North IN favor Of ballot
reform on the general line Of the
Australian ballot law. it has With
equal consistency deprecated the intro
duction Of such a marked innovation
into the electoral syeiem Of this State
on the ground that the political con
ditions existing everywhere at the
South are essentially different from
those prevailing at the North aud ina'
remedy applicable to the evils
in the operation Of election laws 10
the latter section was by no means
necessarily applicable to the evilsin The
operation Of election laws in the
former.
The following communication from .
gentleman Of distinction. who has
,iven careful consideration to the Whole
subject. expresses orr own views 20
clearly so far as Virginia. and we may
add. the South ara concerned. that we
give it room in our editorial columns
as entitled TO the most prominent place
TO which we can assign It,
10 the Editor Of ne Timcs:
I'm reference 10 your article about tho
4,,sfraff0u SuSfeH. the discussion mere
SENS 10 have had its origin in the uisposi-
ton of many 90 initiate other states ih ih'
changes OF their laws. without tine Same
reason amongst us as there.
I'm New England. h. has long been snow
thatthe large manufacturers nave htDii a"i.
ly dictated 10 their labortrs and controlled
their vote. by threats and other similar 3D.
fueuces Nobody in Virginia can justly
complain that capitalists here have immol.
erlv sought 20 direct the sufmges 0i Their
.inulovos. 70 what extent are ihc nrgroo
Of Virginia, who comprise ninc.ltnh- oi
our laborers. Influenced or inundated ni
the repre.eniatOn. Ot their employer. on
the contrary. Is ii not well known ihat col
ored voters exercise their suffrage quite as
much ''without fear oi punishme ni or nope
of reward az tbe white citlenst
Tine Onis modification Of this statement ,
their unjust and tyrannical treatment Of lhe
few who differ with them and vote With
their white employers. n 10 IFS urged that
the systcm is intended 60 protect these few
and thus multiply their numbers lhe cfeN-
ulitv of those W believe Chat .he maintcn-
ancc Of the rilo of the Caucasian Us o. ne
perpetuatcd by am appeal io ihe Note OIL the
ue0rO su0f0J.tl, is Zoo great Tor my de-
ceptance.
ihe Justice melted ont 10 coioied voters is
shown by the fact that whilst m Virginia
we have eighty thousand White MAJORITY
the last GubornatOrial majority of forty -iWN
thousand is the largest oi hiiy years, aud
the Republicans for The last ieu years nave
succeeded i'm several elections and when
ever the Democrats have been Triumphant
their maiorities have ranged from LOW Z.
5000. These results are hardly reached
ly unjust methods.
1 make bold 90 say chat the frauds, 10 any.
of the last decade have been chiefly devised
and penetrated by the leaders oi the nc-
grocs. Under q very loose ana almost
criminally careless registration. there has
been dOubic registration of many thot-
sand negroes whose names twice appear i1
Acknowledgements of city or county. ihis
fraud .has been practised Tor ten years Wild
let or hindrance, as the law d''r
not lodge sufficient power in the hands COL.
registrars 10 carefully verify the poll boo" b.
I'm the last presidential election several
hundred negroes voted i'm Richmond who DO
not live here.
Il would seem. therefore, that if we need
any changes 10 is in the most thorough tfLi.
acGfiOa of the poll-hOoks. rather than ln thc
mode Of casting the vote. Frauds in Toe
latter would be well nigh impossible u Wt
had thoroughly correct poll books.
one OF your contemporaries would apply
the Australian sytem To- your pIIm1r"f
Nhyf Specify what evils in your prima.
rles need reform. IL is mo- evil % canvass
the merits of candidates. 4 nomination %
election j. but au expression of opinion boy
the voter Of the merits of the candidates. J..
will hardly De urged that inside of the Dem
ocratic party frauds are practiccd 10y ,anii'
dates upon each other at the primary citf
tion. In Virginia. unlike the North, pliNt-
ries have no LEGAL recognition. ANA iA.
methods of holding them have never there.
lore. been regulated hy Jaw. Noreason ha.
been given or is seen Tor making chone
IN this respect.
II would seem that il the registration lsi
are verified hy AN the guards. which well
devised law can furnish. 10 will matter ili-
tie in Virginia under what system the uc-
livery of the votes shall take place.
II Is % be hoped that ii any change shall
he proposed aud made, wcll-dcnued reason
shall he given for the alteration Of our cleo
fion laws. and that We shall not hllndly FOL
low suggestions which evidently have Their
origin outside Of our borders and which
have no relation 10 our own condition ana
needs.