Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-04-13

the elective franchise obligatory upon
qualified voters IS one that has been
somewhat discussed IN New York of
late. There IL much that can be said
IN favor Of the enactment of laws 10
that end. At frat sight. such law
may look s5mewhat ike an unwarran-
ted interference with mans natural
rights. But what natural rights has q
man in reality: The only right that
any one can have recognized and en-
forced, by appeal to the courts, - a
legal right Courts concern themselves
with no other, even IL they exist and
there are no other tribunals for their
enforcement. The rights of citizen
are such as the Laws of the land
vouchsafe 10 him. But concurrent
with the rights of citizenship are its OBJ
legations aud responsibilities. II one Is
20 enjoy the benefits he must share the
burdens. In time OF war, the citizen
not only has To bear additional burdens
Of taxation, but he Is also compelled, il
volunteers are wanting. to bear arms
himself. No one disputes the right Of
the government to compel such service.
In times OF peace every citizen bears the
burdens of taxation, indeed, but does
very much As he pleases in taking part
in governmental affairs. The election
Of officers and the determining by bal
lot OF governmental policies and action
are important matters, and II the gov
ernment deems it better and safer to
have the assistance of all its citizens, 1t
certainly should have the right TO call
them out. Government provides for
their protection and should have their
services in return. The election of ofi-
GERS should Do the action of the people
indeed, and not Of . small portion Of
them.
Edward NJ. Shepard. the ex-Civil Ser
vice Commissioner, read pager on
Compulsory Voting" before the
Brooklyn Democratic Club the other
evening lie dealt with the question
from four aspects, or points OF objec-
ton, answering each with an argument
IN favor of compulsory voting. The
first question was: lis public sentiment
far enough advanced for legislative dis
cussion OF the measured" The second
as the measure, IN theory, wrong?"
The third: "Is the measure practically
demanded by present conditions," The
fourth was party consideration and
represented by the question: would
the measure. taken at present, DO in
furious to the Democratic party?" The
essayIst argued that most of the money
now spent in campaigns for parades,
meetings, etc, is directed toward bring
ing cut tie "stay-athoms" voters.
whom. from statistics, he estimated as
l2i per cent. of the voting population.
IL these were brought out by law, the
campaigns, he claimed, would be more
educational in character and directed
TO the mookiing of opinions.
The exercise OF the elective franchise,
he said. was more of public duty than
private privilege. but for those who
did not wish 10 vote because they be-
heyCd no candidate a fit one, there
would be left the opportunity of cast
ing blank ballot, moro expressive of
contempt and disapproval than nom
appearance at the polls.
His conclusion was a good one, recog-
nizing the feet that public opinion will
be me truly and surely expressed by
the ole body OF citizens than by q
fraet u. lie 81 4. Universal suffrage.
the secrvs tSslIos and the participation
of nil citizens in every election will at
least complete the conditions of true
commonwealth. They will not create
a Utopia. The difficulties Of human
affairs will remain; the mixed motives
Of all men viii promote evil - we'll az
good. but the world will surely move
on; for progress. with these conditions
established. will depend solely upon
public opinion. toe best instrument, of
political advancement known to the en-
lghtened races of men,"