Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-08-08
DANGER In DEADLOCKS.

No Allowance In the Baker Ballot Law for
Prolonged Nominating Contests-One
Idea OF the Best Feature Of the New
Reimbursement Political Points.
Such deadlocks over nominations as now
exist in the Twenty-first Congressional dis
trict, the Indiana-Jefferson Senatorial dis
tr1ct and in other electoral divisions of the
State, cannot be continued for much
greater length of time without the most
serious consequences. The practice of post
poning the settlement of such disputes until
the latest possible momant-sometimes even
the day before the electfon-is no longer
possible. An eleventh hour compromise or
repentance on the part of stubborn ele-
ment. Is now more than difficult. In fact
under the exact wording of the Baker ballot
law, it is out of the question,
According to the mangled Australian sys-
tenn, which went into effect in Pennsyi-
vania on March ], certificates of regular
party nominations for State officers, cleo
tors, legislators, congressman and judges
must be filed with the Secretary of the Com
monwealth at Harrisburg 56 days before the
date of the election. independents nomina-
tion papers may be filed one week later but
as they have to be numerously signed by
voters, the additional time is not more than
sufficient for that purpose. Besides, it is
an expedient which would only be resorted
to by old party organizations in case of
great emergency.
Candidates Not Even Allowed to Withdraw.
The general election occurs this year upon
the latest possible date, November 8. Tues
day being the first day in the month. This
gives little more time than will be the rule
for the filing of nomination certificates.
Yet the last day for the filing this year is
September ID. only month away, and much
earlier than considerable percentage OF
the Congressional and Legislative nomina-
tions are usually made The Baker law
makes no allowance for stubborn conferees
who insist upon taking all summer and fall
to agree upon a candidate, and makes no
provisions for the dark horse who has occa-
sionally entered the field week before
election day with the intention of sweeping
the district
The only arrangement for the substitution
OF new name on the official ticket is in the
case of the death or withdrawal of the regu-
larly nominated candidate. And a candi-
date Is not even allowed to withdraw as late
as the day before election. The final date
for the withdrawal of any aspirant whose
tary of the Common wealth is Is days before
the time for voting.
Any Citizen, OF course, can write in the
name Of his choice for any office, whether
been nominated at all. But in a district
where there was any opposition the candi-
date who had to depend upon his friends
using the pencil in every case, would have
name was duly printed on ths official ballot.
1t is to be presumed that the politicians,
delegates and conferees are keeping these
facts in mind, but they have not much time
to spare. For instance the majority of the
Democratic nominations in Allegheny
county have already been postponed to Sep
tember 6, only week before the last day for
filing certificates. That is plenty of time
where everything is peaceful and reason
ably harmonious, but does not give much
opportunity for the prolonged deadlock
which has been SO popular in Pennsylvania
OF late years.
A Politician Finds a Good Feature.
In discussing the Baker law the other day
its study said: "While the modified Austria
lian system adopted in this State is by no
means perfect 1t is not such terrible affair
as has been pictured in some quarters. 1t is
almost sure to be altered in some features
as may be dictated by experience, and for
that reason it is Unfortunate that the law
should have its first trial in Presidential
year. 1 do not look, though, for the
changed method to have any remarkable
effect upon the election returns. The re-
straints and mistakes are likely to operate
equally on all parties.
ITO my mind" he continued, "the most
commendable feature of the system is the
fact that it absolves candidates from the
that the voters get them. This was not only
an expensive feature in itself, but furnished
an excuse for the collection of large cam
paign funds which might be diverted to
other uses. Under the new plan every can
didate no matter how poor and without
necessarily subscribing a cent, can rest as
sured that If he has been regularly nomi-
N<,6<. to- tot l.
the official ballot with his name on it. The
excuse OF no money nor organization for
the distribution OF tickets will be lost one.
That one fact to my mind atones for much
of the Inconvenience and cumbersomeness
attached to the system which is so soon to
be thoroughly tested"
State Elections Before November.
Since Ohio has gone out OF the list of
States holding State elections earlier than
the day for choosing the electors, general
interest in such contests in President tai
years has tagged. There are four such
elections, two in Northern Republican
States and two in Southern Democratic
States, before November 8. In the South
Arkansas will lead off on the first Monday of
September, and Georgia will follow on the
first Wednesday in October. These elections
will be mainly important as indicating the
growth and extent Of the Peoples party and
T dTIHcTS AllduC0 uoNcIuoHGlu III tllHG SeCGlOn.
In Georgia, particularly, this element has
been aggressive and made such show OF
strength as to cause much apprehension
among the Democratic leaders.
Vermont is the first Northern State to
speak. Bradley B. Smalley, who is united
with Don Dickinson in the management of
the rainbow chasing national campaign
committee, is the Democratic candidate for
Governor of the Green Mountain Common
wealth, the election occurring September 8.
There Is no question as to the result Har-
rison received nearly three times as many
votes as Cleveland in 1888, the totals being
A, 1872 and 167Ss respectively. Vermont's
vote, though while never in doubt, has
always been taken as an indicator of prevail
ing political conditions. When the Repub-
lican majorities dropped below $1,000 in 1882
and to IA, 900 in 1890 in each case this Septem-
ber result was followed by q Democratic
tidal wave In November.
More interest will be taken in the Maine
contest than any other before the general
verdict. This will be largely because both
Blaine and Reed are expected to be on the
stump with the intention of giving the Re-
publican cause good send or in the Pine
Tree State. The Republican plurality in
Maine in the September election OF 1888 was
lS, ,04S. which was considerably increased in
November. Lob.