The record-union., 1892-11-10
THE CRUCIAL TEST OF A SYSTEM.

The election of Tuesday gave the re-
form ballot system a crucial test. 1t de-
veloped the need for some modification,
though generally the law worked admir-
ably, and the voters made not more mis-
takes, nor so many, as under the old sys-
tenn.
First, the provision with regard to
sending an election officer into booth to
aid an incapacitated voter was the chief
means Of evading the law. There appears
to be no way now to prevent a vicious
election officer from arranging with his
tools to mark their ballots for them. The
oath is taken sometimes, but ottenest it
was not in San Francisco, administered
at all. Yet it is admitted that in that
city the practice of fraud under this pro-
vision was less than was anticipated.
Another error of the law is in requir-
ing so much publication. There is no
need to publish the official ballot in
form. 1t is sufficient to officially notify
the people by simple list of who are
lawful candidates. This amendment will
cut down the expense very greatly.
In other respects the law is all right
and ought to be maintained. 1t is known
that a determined effort will be made be-
fore the Legislature to repeal it. The
reasons advanced are: First, its cost:
second, that the people do not under
stand it; third, that it is slow in counting;
fourth, that it admits too many independ-
ent candidates to the ticket; fifth, that it
makes it too difficult for new party to
get upon the official ballot.
AS to these matters, the reply is: First.
that the cost is not greater nor so great
as under the old system was visited upon
the candidates. cost so great that it de-
barred the poor man from running for
office.
Second-The returns show that the peo-
pie do understand it, and that the per
centage of rejected ballots is not greater
nor so large as of the ballots thrown out
under the old system.
LAAA0 ~ ID I4OIO 1dBlQ Ill
than under any except the Story system.
People who pause to recall how long the
public had to wait for returns prior to the
Story system, will remember that some
times a week elapsed. In one election in
San Francisco a few years ago the boards
were a whole week in counting, and two
and half days in Sacramento. Under
the present system the tally clerks do
not have to skip from point to point on
the tally sheets, but tally the votes all in
the same order from top to bottom, since
every ballot is like every other one. The
fact is, it is more rapid in counting than
under any other system except the Story
plan when straight voting was possible.
The fourth objection, that it admits
too many candidates, answers itself One
Of the chief purposes of the law is to con-
serve the right Of every citizen, however
poor in worldly goods, to aspire to Office.
On this issue the friends of the new sys-
tenn are prepared to fight it out on prin-
ciple with the bosses and machine poll
ticians, who wish a return to the system
under which they could control and die
tate nearly all nominations.
That it makes it difficult for new
party to get upon the official ballot
amounts to this: That new organization
must come in by the Endorsement pro-
cess" After that, if it casts the requisite
percentage of votes, it has its place as
party. II there is no restriction at all,
then enemies of the system can so over
load the ballot by means of piece clubs
and sham organizations as to defeat it.
So that it remains that the ballot law
does achieve these ends that were not be-
fore attained: l. 1t secures the voter abb
sotute secresy as to the contents of his
ballot. ?. 1t removes the COW and super
intendence of bosses, heelers, employers
and browbeaters. 5. 1t eliminates the
ticket-peddler, and conserves quiet, order
ard fair play at the polls.
1t was not intended by the law to make
men honest; honesty is not legislated into
any one; if a vicious man wants to sell
his vote no law can prevent 1T; no
enactment possible to human wisdom