Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-03
BALLOT REFORM


The Saturday evening Lewiston Journal
contained letter from Hon. J II Manley
strongly endorsing the Australian system
Mr.. Msnley said
| When the Australian ballot bill vas pre-
sented to the Legislature during the St s.ion
of 80 | opposed IFS passage entirely u1ou
the ground that the system propos d was
then an experiment which had not neen
tried IN single state, II was better and
wiser To wait until the good or bad Effects
of the system had been tested in some Of
| the other states; lnasmuch ~ its test was
sure 10 be made in the fall of 80 a. Mon
tana and Massachusetts, had at that time
enacted a similar bill, voted for Maine to
wait Since that time have carefully ex-
smined the provisions of what is termed
the Australian ballot system. and have
taken great pains to inform myself as to its
practical working in the State of Mtssschu-
setts at its last election.
am not one of those who believe cor
ruption is widespread and continually on
the increase, and having had something to
do with political committees, | am not one
of those that believe money comes ike
showers on an April day neither am | one
who believes that fabulous sums are used
Ny own experience is. tn It committees find
hard work 10 raise money, that all moneys
raised aud expended by committees are
accounted for with the same scrupuous
honesty that a church treasurer keeps the
| financial affairs of his parish
Parties are no better and no worse than
the people. Under our form of govern
ment it is impossible for any men or set OF
men to become absolute bosses The PEG
pie would not tolerate any such tyranny
and the good politician knows that he can
| Only remain a leader so long as he keeps in
harmony with the majority of his party.
Still there has always been. if we can
read history correctly, from the formation
of the government 10 the present hour,
more or less corruptio n attendant upon ev-
cry election. and more or less intimidation
of voters. lis hard to see how this can
ever be thoroughly ersdicated from a pop
uar form of government. 1t never can be
until all men are perfect and we have a
| heaven upon earth. But corruption and
intimidation can be rendered more difficult
and less frequent.
The purity and security of the ballot is
the very life blood of the republic. Under
our form of government we all agree to
the rule of the msjority, even though it be
a majority of one, but this majority must
be honestly obtained. and free from faint
or even suspicion. to produce a loyal
scquieseeuce to the result. The Australian
| ballot system goes q great way in the right
| direction. No objection is urged against it
except expense. All good citizens will
agree that the cost is not to be urged for
moment or to have a feathers weight if it
can be shown that the tendency of the sys-
| tenn !s TO make more sure and secure the
right of every citizen to cast his ballot rs
he desires, and have his ballot counted as
he casts it.
The great virtue of the Australian ballot
| system is that ii throws around every mans
act at the polls, secrecy. Under this system
the voter casts his ballot snswerable only To
his own conscience, for his act. II he sees
| ct not to disclose TO any living person how
he votes he hss that RICH, in this sy. TEN
guaranteed to him.
| Again, the polling places are relieved of
the presence of persons who desire, by
personal influences or intimidation or undue
pressure. to influence in any way, the act
| OF the voter. Another strong argument IS,
thst Il this system prevails, all parties will
| be more careful in making nominations.
and sill onl, nominate men possessed of
| special fitness for the position for which
they are to be voted for Most men are not
ashamed of their vote, and do not care TO
have secrecy sbeu, their ballot. So far a.
they re concerned they are perfectly will
| iug, nay more, they are prond TO proclaim
TO The world under which banner they march,
hich party they su tsiu.
| There are. however, n large class of peo-
| pie who do not possess this courage, aal
who often change their vote from one party
| 10 another. IL is right which they pos
sess and they should be given the privilege
| of exercising this right If they SO desire
| This system would not bresk down party
spirit or tend to oblterste party lines.
Most men are honorable. They desire to
act in \ straightforward, honorable way
II men attend primary meetings and these
meetings are fairly and honestly conducted,
| they are honorably bound by the decision
there made whether they are in the major
| ity or minority ami no code of moral ethics
can relieve them from the responsibility
and they do not desire to escape.
| On the other hand this system will tend
to strengthen party lines, viii tend to ruri
the ballot box, will tend to make citizens
take . greater interest in the primary meet
| ings and herein lies the great defect in our
whole system. The primary meetings
| should always be fully attended. Every
citizen should feel it his duty to attend all
primary meetings just as mach a. be should
feel il his duty to vote on election day.
This systen has been tried in several