Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-01-21
TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCE

while, are not generally poets. If they
are, their rhymes are still unrhymed and
their songs remain unsung.
TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCE.
AZ any rate, great majority Of the said
statesmen, who are at present devoting
their energies 10 the welfare Of the public,
do not agree with the poet that the ballot
always executes the freeman's will. "
Many Of them have been taught by bitter
experience that the ballot very frequently
fails 10 make connection, and the laws
governing the operation Of the ballot sys.
tenn are in bad state Of repair. In view
Of the importance of this question and the
interest felt in it by the people OF the State
at large, the representative Of the REGIS
TER has gone TO some trouble to get ex-
pressiOns from some Of the Leading men
hers in regard to The need Of ballot reform
IN West Virginia, and the lines on which
such reform should be carried out. Fol-
losing are a few Of these interviews:
HE KNOWS WHEREOF HE SPEAKS.
Delegate Kee, of the Contest Committee
Il think the State needs ballot reform
law. We must protect igdorsnt and un-
educated voters from corrupt Influences at
the POLLS. A secret ballot, which it has
been we'll said, will prevent the bribsr
from knowing that the goods are ever de-
livsred, must be a feature of the law.
would favor something like the Australian
syatem.
Senator McCreery-I think Governor
Wilson'S bill is ss nearly perfect probably
rs such document could be made. We
want an official ballot and a secret ballot
Hon. W. E. Lively, of the Contest Com
mitles-I am opposed to any general legis-
latiOn at this session. think this and all
other matters, not pertaining to the contest.
that are likely to stir mp contention and
delay an early decision Of the uestion who
shall be West Virginia's Governor, ought
to he postponed until next year.
Senator G. A. Prichard-If the State
were ready for it, would favor the pass
sgs Of a good registration law at this ses
son. In cities and town a registration
system is certainly needed. In thinly
populated districts, however, it would be
great hardship. When the time comes
for the application of general
law Of this nature, I would
favor amending the Constitution in
order to pass it, if that were necessary.
Last year had prepared law which EN-
bodied the main ideas Of the Indiana sye-
tenn. It required that properly drawn
blanks, asking large number Of direct
questions as to the residence, age and gem
eral qualifications of q doubtful voter,
should be kept at the voting place, and
every suspicious voter compelled TO til
out one of these blanks, and make affidavit
TO the correctness Of the answer. In ad-
dition, two reputable oitizsns are required
in such cases, to make oath that the man
is 3 legal voter. I am certain that law
like the above would greatly lessen repeat
ing, importation of voters, and various
other evils complained Of
Col. James l. Peterson-I favor the Aus
tralian system throughout-secret ballot,
official ballot, registration law, and all the
reet.
A BRAND NEW IDEA.
Col. r. S. Blair, of Ritchie-We ought
10 have a viva vOce vote, and let every
man stand up and announce his prefer
cree. Such vote need not necessarily be
public. II may be private. However, |
do not think that this will be adopted
soon. A good ballot reform law ought to
be passed.
Editor w. A. Ohley, of Fairmont-I
favor a reform of the present system.
Whatever law is adopted should be guard-
ed against red ape and cumbersome for
mshties. We may jump out of the flying
pan into the fTe while ameniiDg the cleo
ton laws.
Judge D. B. Lucas-Reform is needed.
Our elections ought TO be purified. How
ever. auy measure which will necessitite
an educational qualification on the part OF
the voter will work great harm, and will
probably be unconstitutional. have ex-
aminsd no system and cannot therefore 70
into detail.
Senator Yeater, Of Wetzsl-I would
like TO see some improvement on our pres
snt system, bat do not think it wise to 20
into much general legislation at this seq
sion. The people want Us to decide the
contest and 90 home.
AN OBJECTION ANSWERED.
Ex-senator L. S. Newman, Of Marshall
Il am heartily in favor OF come better
ballot system than We have. The objee-
ton to the Australian system, that 1t dis
franchises ignorant voters, ID not tenaole.
The man who cannot read will have to de-
pend on another to fill out his ballot, 1t
matters not what law we have.
Hon. J. L Sprigg, Of the contest COM
nlittee-I favor the Australian system
throughout. We ought to have a secret
ballot. an official ballot and n registration
law. The Constitution ought to be
amended to admit OF the latter. AS to
the objection that the Australian law dis
franchises ignorant voters, nobody but an
iguoramus would make il.
Hon. c. P. Dsrr-Tampering with
election laws is a dangerous thing. We
ought not TO take up any legislation at
this session. We would do we'll to walt q
year. ~
Hon. Edward Robertson, State Labor
Commissioned am heartily in favor OF
ballot reform. The State ought TO furnish
the ballots for all parties. Registration
ia a good idea, but we are hardly prepared
for 1t yet.
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