Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-01-14
Ballot Reform in Practice.

-
ballot reform first began to be seriously
4 agitated, its most sanguine advocates
would hardly have dared to hope that
within so short time it would be an ac-
| complished fact. Three fourths of all the
states have adopted the Australian ballot
/ system in one form or another and will
use it inthe coming presidential election.
No doubt the remaining states will fall
into line soon. Joseph b. Bishop III the
last Forum, gives the practical result Of
what may well be called the American
ballot system in the thirty-three states
which have adopted it. Perhaps one rea-
son why 1t has obtained such ready recep-
ton and adoption, is because there was
no system which preceded it, Under the
old lack of system the polls and voting
places were entirely in the hands of party
bosses, and as they were able to stand and
watch every ballot cast, it was very easy
to control both votes and voters. The
first systematic agitation against this per-
ilous system began in the Commonwealth
Club in New York City in 1884, and the
country responded with readiness which
showed how urgent was the need OF re-
form. Massachusetts was the first to put
the law in her statute books, and at its
first trial the result was so good that it
gave an impetus to the whole reform. In
practice there are several ways Of working
the system, all of them notifications on
the genuine Australian ballot. In general
there are two forms in which the ballots
are printed, first, the laws of which Mas
sachusetts was the pioneer, where the
names of all candidates are arranged in
alphabetical order, and second, the system
which Indiana led, where the names are
arranged in party groups The former
system has been commended more highly,
and gives greater range of choice to the
Independent voter, but the latter has also
its advantages, especially to those who
vote a straight ticket, who are always
enormously in excess of the independents.
The difference between these two systems
occasions the only controversy now in re-
gard to this method. There is no talk of
return to any old way. Defects are, o
course, found in this system, but they are
all such as can be remedied The most
pernicious form Of the law is, as might be
expected, in New York, providing that
each party or organization must have
sepai ate ballot, with no political or other
distinguishing mark. The ballots can be
obtained only at the polls on election day.
Provision is also made so that one ballot
can be "pasted" on the face of another
and voted. This law gives a chance for
"bosses" to control to some extent the
working of the elective machinery. The
Connecticut law was borrowed from the
New York and is similar to it in provis
ions and working. The Pennsylvania
law requires all party candidates to be ar
ranged in party groups at the top OF the
sheet, and all Others in a common alpha
betical group at the bottom. 1t also re-
quires all independent and third party
nominations to be made so far in advance
of elections as to be really dead letters.
So doth the willy politician circumyent
the laws of reform. There are various
other forms of this ballot in various other
states, but the worst examples have been
cited.
1t seems little strange that the South
ern states should be the slowest to accept
this reform, it seems to be so much need
ed there, with their unwieldly negro vote
to deal with. The effect OF the present
system of bribing, cheating and in every
way employing means to control the ne
gro vote, or keep them from the polls, is
in every way harmful, and in time they
may come to realize this.
1t is an important fact that our next
Presidential election will be the first to be
decided by secret ballot. And its work
ings and results will be watched with
great anxiety.