The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-11-17

1t instheir power to lnlure MIN Tor Vot-
ing contrary to their wishes. Now
there are some thirty states in which
the secret ballot law is in force. In
some Of these states the laws are not up
TO the standard established by this
order, but these laws should be amend
ed-none OF them should be repealed.
There must be no backward steps taken
on this great question. 1t is the opin-
ion OF your general master workman
that we should 20 still farther in adyo-
eating the passage of election laws
which will render it impossible for any
man to vote unless he can read his bal
lot.
YuRTHER VOTING REFORM WANTED.
1--WE have no guarantee under any Of
the ballot reform laws that the unedu.
Gated voter may not dispose Of his vote
in such a manner as to work injury TO
tho community. The illiterate voter is
certainly at the mercy OF some other
person when casting his ballot, and If
it is proper for me TO call in another 70
prepare for me my ballot, it is just as
equitable for me TO send in that other
person to vote in my stead. Under the
law which was prepared by the general
executive board some years ago. the
right OF the illiterate citizen was guard
ed, but that feature OF our law was not
adopted by any OF the
state legislatures. I am well
aware that objections will bs
raised against depriving the man who
cannot read OF the right to vote; but it
must not be forgotten that we continue
to deny to women who can read the
we doitIwithout referring in apology Tor
the continuance OF the wrong. That no
injustice may be done. it would be we'll
to fix day in the future-say five years
from the date of the passage OF the law
after which no person should be al
lowed to vote unless qualified to do so
by being able to read his ballot. There
are those who would establish prop
erty QUALIFICATION for the citizen. but
we should oppose snch an innovation
with all the strength we possess.
This nation must dependlor its life on
the intelligence OF its citizens, and it is
essential that in educational qualifica-
ton take the place OF the system now
practiced. Once the citizen learns to
read his ballot, he will take more inter
est in it, and will BIO anxious to study
the principles Of the parties which APP
peal to him for support. No matter
how intelligently the illiterate citizen
may dispose Of his ballot, he does it on
the strength OF what he is told and not
on what he knows His illiteracy gives
some other man the privilege OF voting
4 k,,k Hul
assembly take action on this matter.
Under the operations of the secret vot-
ing law we can more readily get the
sense Of the masses on the subject of
submitting all laws to tho people for
agitation and discussion before adop.
ton.
TOO MUCH LEGISLATION.
The last session of the Congress OF
the United States witnessed the intro
duction l am informed, of thousands OF
resolutions, each one bearing on the
welfare OF tho people. II one thousand
laws and resolutions are passed by
q session OF Congress, like number by
each state legislature, a number OF
others by our county and municipal
kOVGEluneutSI anu II mum pGE VI JuuLGldi
decisions piled on top of these, it be-
comes a physical impossibility for the
average citizen, whether worker or not,
to acquaint himself with the tenor or
import Of these laws. Not one OF the
congressman who sat IN the last Con-
gress can repeat the enacting clause
even OF one Of the laws on which he
voted. A majority of that body were
lawyers. Each one will unhesi tatingly
take case against poor man who
may have to work from s to l6 hours
day. He will tell that poor man that
IGNORANCE oil law is no excuse, while
he cannot tell the names OF all the laws
he himself voted for. The right to in
itiate laws is inherent in the people,
the right to discuss on all laws is
natural right.
"Our brothers OF Switzerland have
made more rapid progress toward an
ideal Democracy than we have in the
United States, Notwithstanding our
boosted civilization and advancement
All along the line an agitation and edu-
cation should begin on this great issue.
1t goes home to the hearts OF the peo-
pie; it touches them in their pockets as
in their hearts. 1t relates to their
financial and social interests. l ask
that committee on initiative and
referendum be appointed here for the
purpose of presenting plan on which
agitation Of this question may becarried
on during the coming year AS a
step in that direction it was deemed
wise 20 ask tho order to vote for those
whom they would prefer "a general of
ilcers. The initiative step was not en-
couraRing for the reason that not en-
ough OF thought was given TO tho sub
iect by our local assemblies. Many
thought that the general officers desired
vote OF confidence or some such thing,
but the great idea itself was overlooked.
This general assembly should take de-
cisiNe action in thataquestion." The
system now growing prevalent OF
secret ballot in elections was warmly
extolled and advocated.
Much space was devoted to the question
Of immigration, saying thereon in part:
RESTRICTION OF IMMIGRATION.
Some six years ago your general
master workman declared that he was
in faycrof the restriction OF immigra-
ton. The views then expressed were
not received with favor by the order,
but Notwithstanding that fact his senti-
monts have not changed since then un-
less it be in the direction OF more
rigid exclusion OF immigrants than he
then favored. We may adopt short
hour laws in every state as well as the
nation, VIC may liz wage scales through
out the land, we may enact protective
tariffs until tho articles OF foreign man
rFocs,,va oro ,,roh ihito1 Int while III a