The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1891-02-10

| Purity In elections should be- enforced by
stringent regulations. The voter should be
/ removed from all opportunity TO he cor
! ruptly influenced. This subject - entitled
| 20 your earnest and early attention. | have
| the honor To recommend:
!. An exclusively Official ballot issued 10 the
voter by election officers after he shall have
passed the ordeal Of challenge.
2 a separate booth wherein he MAY retire
and prepare his ballot fold and vote IA with
ont the knowledge of anyone to the charac.
ter of his vote
=, Keeping ala persons not Offering to vote
except election officers and challengerS, a reax.
onable distance away from the polls
T. Limiting to each precinct certain mum.
her ~ voters not exceeding 30
Give All Chance 60 Vote.
In my Judgment IL would be wise pro-
vision u require all establishments employ
Ing "a large number OF men 60 be closed for
at least two hours during the voting time of
each election day. under severe penalties.
The concensus of opinion. public and prI-
vate, IL that the operation OF laws contain
Ing the features | have referred IA has
been most satisfactory in those states
where practically tried, and that their con
tinuance In such states H. an assured fact.
such a ballot reform movement IL no longer
an experiment II has been and II sue
cessfui effort toward free and honest cx-
PRECISION by the people la che exercise of
the right OF suffrage. such legislation
tends 10 give 10 free men The protected
right Of voting a free aud secret ballot un-
influenced and uncoerced by improper in
reference. Above all, IL removes the bar
rieT so frequently obstructng the man OF
merit and education. yet poor In worldly
goods from entering the race for honor and
distinction In office against an influential
and wealthy rival When the opportunity
10 use money ia elections Is cut OF politi-
nj a@ far ha N nttsG
Will not prevail.
support the Australian Ballot.
The result will be that no excuse will ex-
list for placing this or that man upon "A
ticket solely because he'll able to meet such,
assessments. but any citizen will have an
equal chance with his fellows Irrespective
OF the condition of his means. Every safe
guard should surround the voter. Upon the
exercise OF his judgment and free viii wilt
depend the integrity OF our institutions and
the purity OF our law. The Australian bal
lot system. or any similar measure tending
toward the untrammeied exercise OF this
right Will receive iay unqualified support.
This need of reform y intensified by tho
present aspect of our November result.
Public money has been wasted in contest
directly traceable 60 the defects In
our present election laws. Frauds ara 4.
not only possible, but easily made 10
succeed. The reputation OF the state Is Inn
reckless aud irresponsible. The legislature
should prevent its future repittion law
10 that end l. imperative. | trust you Will
examine the different election systems
which now prevail and frame thercfrom n
measure ample To determine these evils aud
accomplish these reforms.
Prohibition Il Dead.
The people OF this state have recently do
clared themselves on that class OF iegisla-
tion known as sumptnary laws. The ques-
tion of the manufacture and sale OF liquor.
after full investigation, broad discussion
aud cool contemplation, was duly presented
to the people at large. The result is known.
What was then matter of vital import to
the states onward march 10 prosperity and
renown. would seem 10 be wrapped In thai
sleep OF death which hath neither resnrrec-
tion nor remorse. 20 pA 1aunced speech
by the people should not BY you be ignored.
The line OF duty would seem to be 10 accept
the peoples declaration and lay all thoughts
of such enactment aside.
More Judges and BETTER salaries.
On this question beg leave 10 say some
thing should he done TO relieve the supreme
Judiciary. The need OF at least two more
Judges Is emphasized by the crowded docket
of the court and the powerlrssness OF the
present able and worthy bench to dispose of
business rapidly a. IL accumulates. This
matter is OF positive Importance and direct
interest to the people In every section OF the
state. CRuses entitled to Immediate hear
ing, rights demanding fullest legal research.
and wrongs that should receive speedy rem
edies 20 on from day To day, month after
month, without decision or decree to the
serious Inconvenience OF those unable to
bear the delays and costs of litigation and
To the great grievance OF the people at
large. A constitutional amendment to meet
this emergency was rejected at the last elec-
tion. The reason is well known. Other
questions oyershadowed IL. WITHOUT any
special advocacy IL was left 10 It's merits.
These were not we'll understood. The peo-
pie looked down Ipon IL as one burden moro
aud so voted 10 down. III is. however. not
burden. bat measure for the speedy relief
or one
A Constitutional Convention.
My examination OF this subject induces
me 10 submit "a you the advisability of
calling "a constitutional convention for the
purpose OF making such changes la the
charter OF the state as win best effect the
end desired. Whether IL would be well 80
20 do, | leave entirely with you 10 decide.
Our judiciary holds SO important relation
To the business affairs of our people In the
adjustment OF controversies at all times
arising. affecting the rights of persons and
property, that anything that can be done To
place it on high plane must be 70 the In
terest, advantage and satisfaction of the
whole people. An advance In the salaries
OF the judges will undoubtedly secure the
services on the bench of those best qualified
to Judge the law and administer Justice. In
a state of the strength and sterling intelli-
gencc OF Nebraskaet would seem 20 be rea-
son enough 20 blush with shame that the
clerks aud subordigates OF our courts, re-
ceive moro than double and treble the pay
OF the Judges. whose whole time j. spent Ia
upholding and enforcing the Law.
egariing Railroads.
The platform Of the political parties rep
resented IN this legislature all favor the
revision of our law relating to the subject