The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-01-23


the unbiased wish and mind Of the voters.
The Australian system has produced
effects far wider than the mere achieve
ment OF single reform. When oppor-
tunity is given to put honest and capable
men in public Office and keep them there,
then is the standard of public service
elevated and made worthy the honorable
ambition Of our best men. Ballot reform
offers not only free and pure elections, but
free nominations. 1t offers a method of
nomination that is open to all, and frees
us unmstakably from the rule OF political
bosses. I will heartily favor any well
considered legislation which will secure
these or any portion Of these results.
A Constitutional Convention.
But 1t is manifest that the deep reaching
and effective ballot reform for which the
popular mind in Pennsylvania has been
fully prepared by recent discussion must
go beyond the present restrictions of the
, constitution. The complete advantages
of what has so widely approved itself as
the Australian system cannot be realized
while the ballot numbering provision re-
mains in the constitution. That provision
requires each ballot to be numbered for
Identification. 1t is expressly designed for
an exposure, in certain contingencies, of
the contents Of the ballot, while the Aus
tralian system is expressly designed to
prevent such exposure in any contingency.
The dependent voter will never feel the
security to which he is entitled, and which
the general welfare requires he should
have. while the danger OF exposure, even
by judicial inquiry, hangs over his head.
But the numbering produces other and
far greater evils. 1t is done by the election
officer, who therefore must handle the
ballots and drop them into the box. When,
again, the ballots are counted reference
to corresponding numbers on the list of
voters reveals to the election officer how
! any aud every citizen has voted. The oath
| of secrecy has been found of little avail.
1t is systematically violated. The indus
| trial and political boss almost invariably
| secures the Information he desires concern
! ing the ballot of his victim. 1t Is for this
reason, because of their long and disas-
! trous experience under the numbering
system, that the people demand its aboli-
| tion and the restoration to them of thoir
lost right to n free and unintimidated vote.
| The reason for the existing constitutional
provision has in great measure ceased.
| Corruption and brutal coercion have taken
| the place of ballot box stuflng in our
elections. To reform the abuses in ques-
| ton a constitutional convention is neces-
sary. There is no reason why such con-
venton should not be assembled at an
early day, its deliberations completed and
| the results submitted to the people and
approved or rejected within the present
year.
Personal Registration.
Additional warrant and necessity for
this are to be found in the demand for
system of compulsory personal registra-
ton. Such a system cannot be secured
without an elimination from the constitu-
tion of the provision that mo elector shall
be deprived of the privilege of voting by
reason of his name not being registered.
Like the numbered ballot clause, this pro-
vision was inserted to avoid an abuse
which no longer exists, while this pro-
vision remains an obstruction to n reform
now urgently needed and popularity de-
manded. An act of assembly may estab-
| lish in Pennsylvania the official ballot,
the booth secluding the voter, and the open
count, all of which are important reforms;
but we cannot establish compulsory regis
tration or give to the people the one thing
which they most want aud are determined
| to have-a secret ballot-save by consti-
tutional convention.
Taxation.
OF scarcely less Importance is the equal
ization Of the burdens Of taxation. For
many years there has been we'll grounded
| complaint against The insufficiency, the
inequality, the ineffectiveness and the par
| TALLY of the tax laws of the state.
The burdens OF the government should
be equally shared, or at least as nearly so
| as human laws can contrive. Since our
legislative policy Is to tax property rather
than persons, there eau be no possible ex-
cuse for selecting the houses and farms of
the people to bear ten times as much Of
the public burdens as personal property.
II things and not persons are to be taxed,
common equity would dictate that the ag-
gregate of a mans possessions, irrespec-
tive of their kind, and simply according to
their value. should bear the infliction
What delinquency has real estate been
guilty OF that it should be thus unfairly
Disseminated againsti 1t is the most pro-
ductive, the most need,ul and the most
stable form of property. 1t adds most to
our wealth, remains always with us, shell
ters and sustans our people and at once
attracts, and, II justly treated, retains and
multiplies population. There is a balcful
vice in the form of government that in
flicts u penalty upon lands and houses and
Iuuhts tHCiI anu DuT-
densome. The farmer and householder
has no right to any exemption from his
fair share of the public expense. but he
has right to just and impartial treat.
ment that cannot be ignored except at a
cost of social tranquility. The inequality
referred to is patent to every eye. There
is not citizen in the commonwealth pay.
ing a tax upon his home or farm who can.
not point to some neighbor owning many
times as much in personal goods and idle
capital who yet pays an immeasurably less
amount of tax. 1t is useless to answer
such undeniable facts by any intricate the
ory as to the ultimate distribution of al
taxation Such unjust discrimination il
: working untold evil to our peoples is op
pressing the poor; is exempting the rich
is day by day establishing unfortunate so
cial distinctions that are foreign to oul
principles of government, destructive o
5 the happiness and energies of men ant
blasting the hopes that we have all prayer
fully entertained of our country becominl
, the home of a contented and happy people
] The state tax on corporations fills al
the rapu iramenta nf 4. sn hi.ct fnr To,