Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-11
SECRETARY RYAN's SCHEME.
he Attempts to Copyright the Poll Books
of Ohio.

COLUMBUS, OHIO, September 10.-The
publication this morning OF the scheme
to saddle upon the eighty-eight County
Boards of Election a pirated and copy
righted form OF the poll books and tally
sheets excited much comment In Official
and political circles, the tenor OF which
is anything but complimentary so Sec
retary Of State Ryan.
He claims to have adopted" what he
regarded as the best and simplest form
OF poll-book and tally-sheet, and that
ends his official duties In the premises.
II he will read the law carefully he
will discover that he has no right 70
adopr any form, but must prepare
Boards of Election. Section 2 Of the
law provides:
Section .. In addition to the duties
now imposed on him by law, the Secre-
tary OF State
SHALL PREPARE AND FURNISH
Forms for the guidance OF the County
Boards OF Elections, for all the blanks,
cards OF instruction, including poll
books and tally sheets. certificates Of
nomination and designs, provided for
hereinafter for the conduct of elections
in this State.
This confers upon him no power to
"adopt" the patented form Of al lndi-
vidual or firm or corporation, giving
them monopoly OF doing the printing
profess to know something about the
preparation and enactment OF this law.
This very thing was discussed while the
bill was pending, and the point was
raised that some individual, firm or cor
poration would manage to get monop-
oily on the business.
To prevent this the bill was so drawn
that the Secretary OF State Originally
it was intended that State Election
Board) should ''prepare and furnish"
each and
EVERY FORM REQUIRED.
So that a copyright or monopoly could
not be set up adversely to the interest
OF the State.
When the forms are furnished by the
Secretary OF State In bis official capacity
to the Boards of Election IL becomes
their duty 20 print and distribute them
I'm accordance with the further proyis-
ions OF the law.
The provision Of the sixth section, ex-
empting the poll-5ooks and tally-sheets
from competitive bidding, takes the
friends and promoters Of the measure
by surprise. but 1t is susceptible OF
reasonable and literal explanation.
The copyright laws admit OF no copy
right TO Short & Forman, as they can
neither claim TO be the authors or own
ers OF the poll books hitherto In use In
Hamilton county. That is plain enough.
Mr.. Ryan, having notified the County
Boards that "form" had been pre-
and having furnished the copy, the
Boards are authorized 20 proceed with
the printing, and Short & Forman can
go to Halifax.
The Secretary Of State has no right
To ssadopt' the device OF firm and say
that they shall do all the printing for
the State. The eighty-eight election
boards might do that, as IL is left 10
their discretion, bat Mr.. Ryan Is the
editor, not the publisher, Of the poll
books and tally-sheets.
There will be not less than $500 vot-
ing precincts IN Ohio in November. At
IS per set for poll books that would
amount 70 s17, 500, or more than sl2, 900
in excess OF their cost after allowing 80
per cent. profit.
Mr.. Ryan is the friend Of the bill.
and, take IL, will revise his decision
after 3 careful study Of the law.