The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-04-12
TIE MUGWUMP p.ANdCEA.
The Effects OF Australian Voting Described
by in Impartial Authority In Canada.

From The Toronto G'ob>
Tho Am erican Presidential election OF this
year will be tho first in the history ofthe coun-
try to be decided by q secret ballot. In an
article in tho April Century it is stated that
voting will DO done under somo form OF the
Australian Tor Capadinn, system in three-
quarters OF the States. including Now England
and all the Western and Northwestern States
except Iowa. Kansas. Nevada. and Idaho. Tho
system will be in force in Arkansas. Tonnes
sec. Mississippi. and West Virginia. and prob
ably in Kentucky and Texas. The writor re-
CARDS 1t as n fact of the utmost Importance
That all tho doubtful States are to cast their
votes In absolute secrecy. free from espionage
and intimidation. He hopes that the reform
Will practically put an end TO bribery by de-
rriving the buyer OF the voto OF tho power to
sec whether the seller has carried out his rart
OF the bargain. and he believes that for this
reason 1t will henceforth DO the highest po-
Iitical wisdom for both political parties to put
men OF character and not professional cor
furtionists in charge OF their campaigns
Everybody admitted. he says. ut the close OF
tho last Presidential campaign that money
had been used upon both sides with prof,l-
sion never before seen in tho country. Each
pnrty pleaded that it had boon driven to
spend money by tho corruption Of the
other. Indeed. for several years past the
absolute necessity for getting skilled cor.
ruptionists to take charge OF campaign work
has been argued with great plausibilty on the
ground that for ono party not to do 1t would
be simply to let the other corruptionist win
tho battle without n struggle" The writer is
snnguine enough to believe that tho secret
ballot will have as good u result as it had in
England. Ho quotes Mr. Chamberlan's re-
mark: In my opinion there is ut this present
moment exceedingly little electoral bribery
and corruption In the United Kingdom The
elections are sinGularly pure. and are daily, II
1t were possible. improving IN that respect
Corruption. indeed. is almost an impossiblity,
owing to tho fact that tho bribor is absolutely
dependent upon tho bride takers observance
OF the motto. Honor among thieves for the
briter has no means OF ascertaining how the
latter votes" The purity OF English elections
is Inscribed also to the Corrupt Practices Act.
which forbade the undue use OF money and
influence. fixed maximum limit for expcndi-
ture and required tho publication of a sworn
account OF every penny spent. Does any,
body doubt" says the American writer that
II We had n law in this country fixing maxi
mum limits for tho expenditures In behalf Of
NIL candidates from Aldermanic to Presiden-
tial, and requiring sworn publication OF all ex-
pendtures after election. that tho profuse use
OF money in elections would not be stopped
at once upon tho laws going into efrect?"
In CANADA We have found that stringent
law against corrupt practices in elections has
been OF no avail against the system OF bribinga
whole constituency by the offer OF the expendi-
ture of public money The candidate whose
ngent hires hack or lends a voter q dollar is
unseatcd; but candidate may with IMMUNITY
offer MS bride an expenditure OF Government
money equivalent to gift Of Ave or ten dollars
n iS fhoft ha
effectiveness of such bride is not impared by
the secrecy Of the ballot For tho expenditure
is conditional. not upon tho vote of tho indi-
vidual. but upon the Government obtaining q
majority in the constituency: hence the voter
has n lively personal interest in contributing
to that majority by his own vote. 1t Is hardly
possible in a Presidential election on the other
side to offer such bribe: but the Republican
candidate is doubtless helped by tho belief
that. II elected, he is likely to view the pension
list with moro liberal eye than his opponent
Moreover. it has not been our experience
that the secret ballot has put an end to intmi-
dation. II the voter cannot be trusted to vote
ms he is told his employer can prevent him
from voting ut all. He can compel him to take
part in demonstrations intended to glorify
particular candidate and strengthen his cause.
He can tell him that unless that candidate is
returned he will be compelled to close his fac
tory or dismiss n number OF hands-and the
dismissed men will not bo those Of the en-
ployer's political faith. Ho can tell his men
that similar disastrous results will follow II q
particular policy. such as that Of high pro-
tective tariff. be not sustained. Generally
speaking our experience in Canada is that
purity and independence cannot be secured,
though they may bo aided. by act OF Parlia-
ment. and that no legislation can supply tho
lack OF a sturdy public spirit. Just view OF the
relations between the electors and tho repre-
sentative and between the representative and
tho Government. and a clear apprehension OF
tho truth that Government expenditure Is a
matter OF right and not OF favor.