Telegram-herald., 1890-08-10
1T PUZZLES THEN
The New Election Law Subjected
10 : Discussion
WRESTLED WITH FOR TWO HOURS
The Aidsrmen and Supervisors Meet
Joiutiy-An Australian Polling
Booth Exhibited la the
Goancli Chamber.

The meeting held in the council
chamber last night VAS not a regular
session Of the city fathers, neither was
Il a special session. Ii was purely an
informal gathering OF the aldermen,
supervisors and various city officials, u
discuss the new election laws. There
were about thirty of the law makers
and law preservers of the city present,
and Mayor Uhl, VINO was at the helm.
The trst object that attracted atten-
ton III the historical room, was large
box. open on TWO sides, which resembled
a confessional. These were c. IL. Leon
ards portable Australian polling booths.
which that gentleman Is anxious to have
the ety adopt.
There seems to be confusion over the
new election laws, and some OF the sec
tions are incomprehenslble 20 the alder
men. The City Attorney and Mayor
atte mpted 10 straighten them out 50 as
20 give the aldermen All idea OF how TO
instruct the inspectors AT the next cleo
ton. They came 10 the conclusion
before they finished, however, that
some OF the sections were Greek and
did not apply 10 Grand Rapids. The
Mayor said, after ponderlng over See
ton - Of the law, that the lIawbuck
Legislature must have been slightly of
IN literary training.
Alderman stein got puzzled over one
clause, and wanted TO know If the
State, congressional, ward and city
tickets would all have To 20 in as one.
The city attorney scratched his head
and answered yes, whereupOn Alder
man CARPENTER asked If in case a noml-
nee died the elector would have 10 vote
for him.
Clerk Shinkman read the law section
10y section and st the end of each a dis
cusslon ensued. In section l. il reads
that The ticket shall be folded so that
no names shall appear and then handed
IN to the Inspector. Alderman Stebblns
wanted 10 know if the band could be
placed around the ballot before
being handed III. The city at
torney sand he thought not.
Alderman Stebblns then asked
If the booth exhibited by Mr.. Leonard
would cover the law. Several did not
think so. as the law reads that the
booths shall be constructed SO that the
elcctOr can fix up his ticket without
being observed. This one wouli not
completely conceal the voter unless
curtains were attached 10 them.
Mr.. Leonard sad the booths were
gotten up for convenience, and could
be taken apart and packed away in a
compact space. He had the kind de-
slgnated IN the law, but they were cum
DersOme.
Alderman Tatcum thought that the
booths should be made 80 a voter could
pass through them, as the law plainly
| reads that way. Others were OF the
opinion that going IN and coming out
was equivalent TO passing through.
Section 80 reads that the Board OF
Elections may regulate the time voter
shall remain IN a booth, from one to
| five minutes. Alderman Stebbns said
TINS might lead to confusion, as mum
Der from one political party or another
could combine to keep the booths in
constant use, taking up all the
time, and thus prevent those OF
another party from voting. They
could work thus scheme towards the
closing of the polls, and as only one
voter IS allowed IN at time the min
utes would PASS quickly away.
The city attorney did not think any
man could be unlawfully kept from
voting.
Alderman Tateum requested that the
city attorney be requested TO prepare d
drawing for proper booths, as provided
/ by law.
| This discussion was keptu up for nearly
} two hours, when the meeting al
/ lourned.