The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-18

ORE ELECTION LAVISH.

OUR ELECTION LAWs.-Iv.
Az a basis for changes in our Aus
tralian law legislation should proceed
upon two lines:
First. The ballot itself should be in
the simplest, plainest and most readily
understood form which can be devised
for all voters, to the end that the least
possible number may be DISTINGUISHED
and greatest accuracy of the expression
Of the people obtained.
Second. When it comes to the method
OF voting a ballot at the polls the law
should be founded upon the additional
principle that the door to fraud u be
closed wherever experience shows that
it has been or may be, opened, and every
practice must be clearly prohibited
which violates the underlying features
of the Australian law-independent and
secret voting.
From these two propositions, we de-
duce the ~corollary that where a law, by
some lax provision, permits vast frauo
which may turn an entire election re-
suit, the purity Of elections as guarded
by our constitution. renders necessary
some radical amendment checking such
fraud, ever if slight hardship shall fol-
low.
Having discussed the first of these
propositions last Sunday, let me now
call attention to that part of our ballot
law which provides that any voter who
declares to the judges of election, or
when it shall appear to the
Judges, that he cannot read,
or that by physical disability ne is
unable to mark his ballot, shall, upon
request, receive the assistance OF one or
more judges, etc, etc, and to the cor
~rnption practiced under it's well-meant
provisions.
More than one of the great political
parties have freely used on election day
a prlnted form substantially as follows
/ cannot read, write or speak the
: English language. and | wish TO Vote
the straight (party nancy ticket.
One OF these cards is given to
ss1oater," and sometimes, it is SAID, to az
employe by his superior, with lnstruc
lions to hand the card to a p%articula
Judge of election. whose politics ar
known to agree with the party name II
the card, and with those of the "heeler
or "boss." The voter doubtless read
and writes but that is not inquired into
as the system is principally called int
vogue in buying votes where the pull
chaser can keep a check to know tina
.sthe goods are being delivered" 1t
most effective in it's operation b
"strlkers" amongst men SO lost to dc
cency as to refuse to vote unless the
are paid, and of course the crime an
dishonor of it are not considered. LII
voter presents his card. Sometimes b
is asked by the judge if he can rea
and write, but his reply is at once "no
Thereupon, according to law" the Pr
litical Judge fills up a straight ticke
which conforms with the swish" OF tt
hired or coerced ~elector, who then depos
it's it and his vote is polled. BY some VI
known means the "heeler" on the GU
side is informed whether the vot'
obeyed his instructions. IT he has, tt
consideration passes and the crime
complete!
TO the credit of the state it should
said that when the system was novel
aroused Indignation among the peoI
generally, including many politician
But under the rule of fight the de
with fire" methods of political warfa
the vicious practice has grown and
common use become, not alone shamel
TO intelligence, but very dangerous a
far reaching.
Tho remedy is easy. Wipe out entir'
from the statutes all those parts of 8
tions which permit a voter to carry il
the voting room, or to use, any card
the kind described, or any other writ
or printed memorandum, by way Of sa
pie ballot, or otherwise, Of any XII
character or description whatsoever,
the purpose Of guiding or assisting h
or having any judge or other
son guide OF assist him,
preparing his ballot. Go furtl
and impose a penalty upon any JUG
or other person, who, IN the yot
ROOM, or within twenty feet or
polls, suggests or offers to assist, by
means whatever, any voter in the m;
ing or preparing Of his ballot. Make
possible exceptions, save as to perf
who are actually totally blind. 1
should be provided for, and upon
ducing an affidavit of q physician of
county where a Blind mar offers to '
stating that the %elector is wholly un
to see and to distinguish any name |
his ballot by reason Of total blindI
such blind person should be swor
the judges, and if they are statistic
the truth OF the voters statements
that be is totally blind, and must ret
assistance on that account, he ma