Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-16
mA1NE,s Ba11orREFoRM LAW.
Illinois Also Falling in Line Making the
23d BalIot-reform State.


The New York Nation speaks as fol-
lows on the ballot-reform movement as
1t spreads from state to state: Maine has
secured a ballot-reform law after all,
both houses of the legislature having
passed it, and the governor being com
mitted In his annual message to give it
his approval. The victory is complete
in every way, for the new law applies to
every city, town, and village in the
state, The history of the two months
struggle for it in the legislature consti-
tutes an instructive argument against
compromises in reform movements. The
bill, as finally passed, was first pre-
scented in the lower house. 1t was
supported by the united Democratic
membership, by the united Democratic
press of the state, and by nearly the united
Republican press of the state. Its lead
ing opponent was Captain Boutelle of
the Bangor Wing, who argued that Re-
publicans should defeat it because it
would work TO the disadvantage of their
party were il to be made law. In def.
erence to Republican wishes, the bill
was amended In committee of the House
SO as to apply only TO cities and towns
of more than 1000 inhabitants, and so
as to have the names of candidates ar
ranged in party groups on the ballots.
1t was said that these changes would
strengthen the bill with the Republican
majority. Yet, when it came before the
House in amended form, the Republican
majority defeated it by vote of "a to
n, more than two-thirds of their mem
bers voting against 1t. The bill was then
taken up by the Senate and passed in
nearly its original form. 1t went back
to House from the Senate and was passed
by vote of rs to go, ten Republicans
changing their position after the former
adverse vote.
The law, while closely modelled upon
the Massachusetts, law, contains one
provision radically different from the
corresponding provision in the latter
statute. In Massachusetts the names of
all candinates are arranged in alpha
betical order under each office, with
their politics indicated after each name,
and the voter is required to check the
name of every candidate for whom he
wishes TO vote. Under the Maine law
the names of candidates are arranged in
party groups, with the party name at
the top, and the voter can, if he choose,
vote for an entire group by placing a
cross opposite this party name. This is
the method provided in the Indiana and
Maryland laws, and is, of course, in the
interest of straight party voting. II is,
however, superior in every way to our
New York system Of innumerable sepa-
rate ballots and ''pasters," and while it
helps the party voter, it also helps the
independent voter, for with the names
of all candidates of all parties spread on
one ballot, he can easily select those of
his choice.
Illinois is likely to be the next state,
the twenty-third, to adopt ballot
'eform law. An excellent measure, fol-
owing closely the lines of the Massa-
chusetts law, prepared by the commit
tee of elections of the lower house of
the legislature, was introduced in that
body on Tuesday week. 1t is the out
come of long and careful study by the
committee, and has been agreed upon
unanimously by its members without
regard to politics. There were between
10 and 20 bills on the subject referred to
the committee, the large number bear
ing unmistakable evidence of the pop
ular demand for the reform There is
said to be little doubt of its passage
through both houses, as the leaders of
all parties are in its favor; and an emer-
gency clause will be added in order that
the bill may go into effect Immediately,
and thus apply to the Judicial elections
which occur in June. In order to pass
it with such clause a two-thirds vote
in both houses will be necessary; but SO
popular is the measure that little fear is
expressed about getting this strong sup
port.