The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-01-13
BALLOT REFORM.

lin l.
and again, declared in favor OF re,
forms in all departments of the gov
eminent. One of the first of these
and one of the most important, is
Ballot Reform. We hold that every
man, of every color, and of every
class, upon whom the Constitution has
conferred the elective franchise, has
the clear right to vote for the men
and principles of his own choice, with
out being put to Inconvenience, and
without running any risks of loss OF
employment. Every voter has the
clear right to vote his real sentiments
without being put into distress in
mind, body or estate. Wa hold that
it is the business of no n but him
self how a freeman votes. If a man
has these rights of voting under the
Constitution, he has the clear right
also to have his vote counted once and
only once. Unless these elementary
and obvious principles and rights be
cheerfully allowed, and fairly carried
out into practice, it is plain that there
can be no such thing as free govern
ment. Let us not be misunderstood.
The question is not now whether the
elective franchise has been I'm wisely
extended, or not. But the question is,
have all those to whom it has been
extended, whether wisely or unwisely,
the power to exercise their rights
under the Constitution freely and
without pressure of any sort. If this
question can be truthfully answered
in the affirmative, then we have free
elections and free government in
North Carolina. But if the facts of
the 8 require US to answer this
question in the negative, then are we
forced to admit that the fundamental
principles of civil liberty are being put
into peril in the conduct of our cleo
tons.
The PROGRESSIVE FARMER does not
charge any violations of the r gifts of
suffrage upon the people of North
Carolina; nor does The PROGRESSIVE
FARMER know of any instance wherein
the rights of suffrage have been vic
lated in our State. But it has been
charged, over and over, that elections
in some parts of tn State we're not
fair.
1t seems to us that in v~indication
of good name as a people, and n
assertion of the ancient honor of our old
State, the legislature, now in sessi N,
should take such action as will throw
all the safeguards which modern wis
dom has devised around the ballot
boxes of the State. To us it seems
that the Australian system, as it has
been applied in the State of New
York, is a good system, and we com
mend it to the General Assembly for
such consideration as that body may
deem wise.
We detest all forms of Federal in
reference in State elections, as dan
gerous to liberty; and we condemn
any influences that may be working
in the States to undermine the free,
dom of elections.
The PROGRESSIVE FARMER is in
favor Of placing some limitations upon
the right of suffrage in North Caro-
lima. But such limits ions ought to
be imposed by law, and not in viola
ton of both law and liberty. Again,
we ask tae General Assembly to study
this question of the elections. Such
study, if it reveals no abuses, can do
no harm; and if it should dis close ur.
lawful practices, it may do much
good. Gentlemen, North Carolina Is
entitled to the best election laws pos
sible, as she is entitled to the oest ser.
vices of all her citizens. See to it
that she gets all she is entitled to.