The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1891-01-31
AUSTRALIAN BALLOT.


EDITOR INTELLIG GENCER:-The sub
ject of improvement in the mode OF
voting is attracting attention in every
part of the country. The observation
of good citizens OF all parties, is that
the present system of voting may lie
and is often made 8 means of cOrrup-
tiOns, by which the choice of the peOp e
is defeated aud great wrong perle-
trated.
One of the greatest evils of the
present mode is the influence and
power of designing workers at elections
! over the masses at the polls, particular
ly those, who have large numbers in
their employ. 1t The employer is an
active pariizan or has a purpose to
accomplish, he can go with his EN-
ployes directly TO the polls, and by biz
personal influence, or by intimidation,
secure their votes for his candidate,
although many of them prefer TO :, g
differently. They often stand at 81 e
polls aud hand tickets to their emplo
when they come up, who, under pies
sure, vote as they are directed. This
IS not liberty, and personal rights nd
the freedom of election are destroyed.
The Australian system would correct
such wrongs, relieve the voter Of this
incubus and give him perfect freedom
TO vote his choice without fear, as he
ronld not be pursued TO the pole, with
a rod of terror over him.
have heard of but two objections
to the system. One is that 1t is cum
bersome and slow method of voting
and that the expense of holding cleo
tions is greatly increased. A con
ventiOn OF mayors of cities of Missouri
was recently held here TO consider ihis
and other subjects and the representa-
lives of cities where the Australian
system had been tried were interview.
ed. In every instances they stated thai
1t was as expeditions as under the
general law and as many votes could
be taken and that the expense wat
increased but little.if any. They stateG
that everything about the polling
places on election day was different
from any preceding election. There
were no large crowds present, no
strife among voters, and no one about,
TO direct the voters how to cast thei,
ballots. The avocation of the hummer
and poll worker, those agents of strife
and corruption, were gone and they
were not to be seen around plying
their usual method of manipulating
votes. In every instance the manner
of conducting the elections and the
result was most satisfactory TO all but
the political wire puller.
The purity and freedom of the ballot
is above every other consideration
Washington, Jefferson and Other
patriots, who established the republic
saw with prophetic eye, the danger O
improper influences and cOrruptine
methods at elections and left impres'
sive warnings that should be remem'
bered. Upon the purity OF elections
rests the perpetnity OF the government
and the liberties of the people Ii il
well known that under the present law
at exciting elections, fairness and hon
esty are forgotten and money an(
management win.
The legislature should consider thii
important subject fully. 1t the Aus
tralian is better system il should bt
adapted. If it is better tor cities II
would also be better for the country.
should, at least, be extended to al
cities and towns. The small additiona
> expense, 1t any, should be weighed il
the balance against free, pure ant
, honest elections. II.