The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-04-03


the editor in chief OF that paper him
self, writing about the defeat OF the
Meyers American Voting Machine bill,
Is compelled to admit at last that this
legislature with q two-third Demo-
cratic majority in the lower House,
aud Democratic majority in the Sem
ate. does not want ballot reform unless
that reform cleans to the advantage
OF the party In power" This Is grave
9 admission and yet true one for the
leading Democratic paper in the State
10 make. 1t is what the REPUBLICAN
has been telling the people right
straight along, before and since the
last election. We say IL again 30 as
mot TO be misunderstood. tho Demo-
Gratis party Of Delaware wants no kind
of ballot reform that will not suppress
enough of the Republican vote Of the
State to keep itself in power.
We believe the editor in chief of the
Every Evening is sincerely in favor OF
ballot reform, but though he has trlod
hard he cannot bring his party up to
his own honest way OF thinking. His
announcement OF the aspect OF the
bill comes like afuneral dirge. Listen
TO IT.: vs.
Tho bill has been defeated by a solid
Democratic vote. Only ono Democrat,
Mr.. Hutsun, had voted for IL,
1t WIS the position of 1889 reversed.
Then the Republican majority voted
against and the Democratic minority
for ballot reform. Does neither party
: want a secret and fair ballot when in
power?
Only In one sense Is he wrong. The
Republican majority In the House in
1889 did not vote against ballot re-
form. 1t voted against bill called an
Australian ballot reform bill that
should have heen entitled, IAN act to
prevent illiterate Republicans from
voting and to perpetuate Democratic
rule" We have not the least doubt
That every Democrat in the Legisla-
ture would vote now for that bill were
It before that body.
IL was the most cunningly and in
geniously dlvised bill that could pc So
bly, have been invented by the leaders
OF the Democratic party So lnsinuat-
Ing and deceptive was 1t that two Re-
publican Senators and one Republican
Relresentatile voted for it, and It will
not 10 saying too much to say that Il
any ballot reform bill passes the pre-
s,nt Legislature it will have to be a
plrtisan one that will throw all i'm.
imaginable difficulties possible in tho
way of Republicans voting and will
help the Democrats in every immagi-
nnble way to vote, or as the Every
Evening correspondent says: THE de-
elderatum is bill TINT shall lean a
little TO the advantage OF the party in
power" There is more in these words
than appears at first glance. The 'lit-
tie In a Democratic point of view
means "much" when viewed in u
Republican light. But what we have
already quoted is not all that this sud
denly awakened and evidently disgust
ed corresponding Democratic editor OF
Democratic paper says Of the defeat
OF the Myers Voting Machine bill
Here is what he SAYS of the excuses
offered for voting against it.
Various have been the objections
urged; that there is n cloud over the
constitutionality OF this method OF
voting, that We cannot part with the
ballot OF our fathers; that some men
would absolutely refuse to vote by
machinery; that the machine WIS too
complicated; that the machine WIS toe
simple; tho most ignorant negro coull
vote on IL; that somebody might
break IL with a hammer the night be
fore election; that tho first cost made
Il too expensive; that it has never beer
Tested in practical election, aud 1
dozen others"
Then rising to the nonpartisaT
height that the occasion demands tn,
correspondent in tho following words
that cut sharper than a two edged
sword charges home upon the leader.
OF the Democratic party the RESPONSE
bility OF the defeat OF honest ballot re
form:
But the controlling reason was on
that had rs well be left inNritten unit
the outcome shows just how far thos
who influence Legislation are willing 4
let this General Assembly 60 in the di
reetlon OF ballot refom."
Those who influence legislation!
Who is meant by that Your; Mr.
Bayard, the putative father OF the IN
righteous assessment laws OF 1875, an,
before every biennial election made
speech praising them TO the skies, bu
who, now that the guns have been turr
ed, wants to repeal item? You Mr
Gray, who feels that your grip on
sest in the Senate is loosen? You, Mr.
Wolcott who wants that seat ?.You, Nj
Patrick Neary, Nh. William Il. Lee, MI
William L. Wier. Gentlemen, one an
all, you might as well be honest and
pass an honest ballot reform bill 70
have lost your hold upon the Stat
anyhow, and no little partisan CHIEF
merry will bring it back. Be honest an
not compel your own party papers l.
turn against you.
Ayers Cathartic pills are known 1
4 be the safest, surest and best purg;
tive medicine ever offered TO N
public. They are mild yet certain
their effect, give tone and strength /
he. - IL