The Portland daily press., 1892-12-02

ought to be indicted, leaving the defence
to put in the plea of insanity, while if
there is not that strong reason, then the
| Jury should refuse to find any Indictment
at all against her, and let her go free.
It is to be hoped that Mr.. Halle, the
Republican candidate for governor of
Massachusetts,, wi decide to contest the
election of Gov. Russell. Not that there
| is any great doubt about the legality of
the latter's election or much prospect that
contest will result IN defeating his
apparent title, but because it furnishes
the only way of getting the ballots before
the legislature for inspection and thereby
ascertaining just how many errors the
voters made, what their character was,
and what would be the effect of their
correction upon the results of the cleo
ton 1t is to the advantage of all the
people of Massachusetts,, Democrats and
Republicans alike, that these facts should
be definitely ascertained. If the ballot
in use in the Bay State is too complicated
to be used successfully by the average
voter it will be we'll to have it shown be-
yond all question, for then there will be
general concurrence in some modification
of it in the direction of simplicity. 1t
will be of advantage also to know just
what the chief difficulties are which the
voter has encountered, because then the
work of simplication can be more intelli-
gently directed. There is a wide belief
that the Massachusetts arrangement of
the ballot imposes upon the voter bur-
den which is excessive, that it tends to
restrict the voters freedom of choice
rather than extend it, which is the real
| object of the Australian system; and
| there is growing up strong sentiment in
| favor of its modification. This senti-
ment will make itself heard in the legis-
lature the coming winter, and it is there
| fore desirable that the facts be at hand
to show how much of it is justified, and
therefore should be deferred to, and
| how much proceeds from misinforma-
| tlOA VI ldCh VI 1ulOI1udtlOli3 d1H 10 eiSA v
| fore not to be deferred to.
| And not only for Massachusetts, will
this investigation be beneficial, but for
all other States where the Australian
| ballot is it use or where its employment
is contemplated The difficulties encoun-
tered by the Massachusetts, voter are the
difficulties which are likely to be met in
other States, and the tendencies there are
likely to be the tendencies everywhere
Hence the notifications which expert
ence and an actual knowledge of the ma
| ture of the Massachusetts, difficulties
show to be advisable will suggest the
| changes that are desirable in other
States. The Massachusetts investigation
will suffice for the whole country.
The two essentials of the Australian
system are secrecy and an official ballot.
As to the arrangement of the candidates
| on the ballot and the method of indicat-
| ing the voters choice these are mere mat
| tiers of detail susceptible of many differ
emit solutions without affecting the vital
part of the system. The arrangement
and the method which make it easiest
| for the voter to indicate his choice is tine
one to be adopted. The Australian sys-
| TEN was not invented to disfranchise
people but to more completely enfran-
chise them.