Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-04
IT WAS BADLY MANGLED.
The Next Legislature Will Likely
Amend and Improve It
1T WILL HELP THE DEMOCRATS
And Will Increase the Number Of Votes
of Both Parties
NO COUNTRY ROAD LEGISLATION


at the Seventh Avenue Hotel last night
Senator Baker passed through Pittsburg
yesterday morning on his way to Mer-
Ger, Pa, to attend q meeting of the
Soldiers Orphans Commission at that
place. Immediately upon his arrival
at Mercer, Senator Baker was notified by
wire of the serious sickness of his 10-year-
old daughter. He left Mercer on the first
train, but arrived in Pittsburg just three
minutes too late to catch the fast line East
at $40. Restless and impatient, he re-
when he left for his home.
'I am so worried scarcely know whether
am on my head or heels" the Senator
said to DISPATCH reporter 81 suspect
l am just at this time an unpopular man
hereabouts and the Baker ballot bill is
probably more unpopular even than I am
But" the Senator went on, ''the ballot law
is all right and will grow strong just as the
reform ballot laws in the other States have
accumulated strength and popularity after
once having been used.
The Growth of Ballot Reform.
fgThere are now "a States in the Union in
which reform election laws are being ex-
perimented with, and in each State at each
succeeding election the laws become more
popular and the people are more enthusi-
astic in their support
The Baker ballot law as we now have it
is not the measure that was sent from the Bal
lot Reform Association to the Legislature.
The bill was horribly mangled in the Sen
ate. The politicians of Allegheny and
Philadelphia were responsible for the mu-
tilation. When the measure was referred
to Conference Committee of the two
branches we found that Senator Neeb, of
Allegheny, and Senator Goblin, of Lebanon,
were bitterly opposed to the proposed law.
Senator Greene, of Berks, the other MEM
Der of the Conference Committee from the
Senate side, was favorable to the measure.
He contended, just as I did, that both the
great political parties were pleged to ballot
reform, and we were all convinced that the
short time we had required prompt action.
To have killed the measure after it had
been sent to the Conference Committee
would have been to delay the needed reform
for two or three years more.
t'The new ballot law was originally de-
signed after the Massachusetts election
lows. but by some oversight he neglected or
failed to insert in our act the educational
provision which is one of the conspicuous
features of the Massachusetts, law. The
disability feature of my bill. however, sup
plies the omission of the educational
feature.
The Legal Meaning of Disability.
"We consulted one of the best Judges in
the State on the meaning of the word dis
ability as it is used in our ballot law. He
decided that the word as used meant
voter who could neither read
or write, was blind or was palsied. Only
such men are allowed by the, law to take
guide into the voting booths with them,
and if the question is ever raised it will be
decided on that ground. For those who
are not disabled and who may not uuder-
stand the somewhat complicated ballot
sample ballot printed on pink paper is sup
piled. The voter is allowed to take this
sample OF pink ballot from the booth to
some friend on the outside, who
is allowed to make the sam.
pie ballot as the voter wants
it marked. Then the voter can re-
turn to the booth and prepare his ballot
from the sample ballot, and if he sees fit he
can change it to suit himself after he gets into
the booth where he is provided with secrecy
and seclusion."
"What party in your judgment will be
benefited by the new election law?" was
asked.
81 think it will increase the number of
votes of both parties The minority party,
however, is likely to receive the greatest
benefit. Election frauds as a rule are prac
ticed in cities by the majority party. The
Republican party is in the majority in all
the cities in this State, and therefore the
Democratic party will profit most by the
reform law.
The Political Effect of Curiosity.
'Tt is often argued that our new scheme
will reduce the number of votes cast, but
we contend that if for nothing else than
curiosity many people will go out to vote
this year who do not make it rule to 60 to
the polls.
Personally" Senator Baker went on, ST
was anxious to delay the introduction of our
ballot law until after the Presidential cleo
tion. / believed then as believe now that
before the law was tested many little un-
satisfactory featutes would be found in it.
To have delayed its operation would have
allowed the next Legislature to have cor
rected any of the evils discovered before
any eff the features were made obnoxious to
the people generally"
"Will the next Legislature alter or
amend the Baker ballot law?"
81 think many alterations and changes
will be made at the next session. The
foundation and general structure of the law
think will not be disturbed The de-
mand for ballot reform is too great to allow
general slaughter of the measure"