Los Angeles herald., 1892-10-18
THE SUPREME COURT AND THE AUS
TRALIAN BALLOT LAW.

on the issue raised by the Non Partizans
of San Francisco goes to far greater
length than merely giving that organiza-
ton an equal standing with the Demo
cratic, Republican and Prohibition tick
cts. Headings being altogether abol-
ished, every tub, SO to speak, stands on
its own bottom; or, in other words, the
man and not the party ticket is voted
for. OF course, under the old law,
voter could 30 mark up his ticket as to
practically repudiate the designation at
its head. Under the new law,
as interpreted by our tribunal
OF last resort, every voter ls
obliged to pick out the nominee
whom he prefers. He has no choice but
to do this, and if be gets tired in the
course of preparing his ballot, and con
cludes to drop half the candidates for
Office through disgust or inability to re-
alize that he is only partially through
the list, the gentlemen who figure low
down on the roster will have to suffer
for his weariness and disgust. Probably
no one ever read the law in the first in
stance without being satisfied that it
would be cumbrous in its operation |;
but the decision of the supreme court.
while multiplying the difficulty of count
ing the ballots after they have been cast,is
in entire coneonance with the principles
underlying American institutions, and
compels every man to be his own boss.
Under the old system, nine ballots out
OF ten-perhaps larger proportion
were straight. Now the voter takes up
a sheet OF formidable dimensions and is
compelled to scratch it from top to bot
tom if he wishes to make his preferences
known-is obliged to scratch his way
through it, If we may be INDUCED in
such an expression. A great many
voters will see things as through glass
-darkly. The only grouping that will
be permitted under this decision of the
supreme court will be in the cases of the
presidential electors of the several par
ties, who will be punched together in
brackets, go that the unfortunate voter
will be able to pick out his favorite
group and mark cross against the lot.
This saves him some trouble, at all
events.
That the public may expect surprises
in the working of this new-fangled law
the HERALD has no hesitation in pre-
dieting. The politicians are engaged
just now in making calculations as to
which side will be most benefited by the
innovation. There may be some diff
Guilty in arriving at a definite conclu-
sion az to this phase of the matter, but
it is perfectly safe to assume that the
man in California who will come out
furthest ahead by the decision of the
supreme court is one DR.. G. G. O'Don-
nell. 1t may not elect that enterprising
and indefatigable fakir mayor of San
Francisco; but, if he had any chance
before, it will increase his chances
amazingly.
OF course the people who have advo-
Gated the Australian ballot law have
been perfectly honest in their inten-
tions. We risk nothing, however, in
assuming that few of them knew what
surprises were in store for them, as a
result of its complicated machinery. The
tickets which will be in use in such
cities as San Francisco aud Los Angeles,
will be simply interminable affairs. The
voter has but ten minutes in which to
prepare his ticket for the box, and he is
allowed but three ballots. If he spoils
these, he forfeits his vote. Suppose, for
the sake OF illustration, each voter con-
sumes his ten minutes. In that event
but six votes an hour cen be cast. At
an average of ten voting hours, only
sixty votes could be deposited in sin
gle precinct during the entire day.
The law allows the formation of pre-
cincts containing two hundred and
fifty voters. 1t is thus highly probable
that large numbers of citizens will be
disfranchised. In cities.
this usage will result in
wholesale denial of the suffrage to all
classes. Hundreds of people-probably
be standing in line at
the closing of the polls. The American
people surrendered something of their
self-respect in going to Australia to bor-
row system which threatens to defeat
the cardinal idea of American govern
ment.
But the point of our talk "lies in the
application ont" The utmost pains
ought to be taken by the several Demo-
cratic county committees throughout
California to see to it that the system as
by the supreme court is
thoroughly understood by Democrats.
Past instructions have been thrown
Iway, and we are by no means sure that
hese have reached a tithe of the people
Who needed them. 1t would be unpar-
lonable folly to allow our vigilant and
enemy to steal march
lpon us, and he certainly will, unless we
re up and doing. Even people who
ride themselves upon their intelligence
hould give some thought to the modus
perandi of voting under the new law.
As to the counting of the ballots after |
he closing of the polls, angels and min
sters of grace defend US At last has
'rrived the long desired opportunity of
he professional politician of the ward
'ariety. In San Francisco the result of