The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-11-20
THE AUSTRALIAN BALLOT.

The Australian ballot law is now the sub
ject OF much comment, both adverse and
friendly. Prior TO the election which pre-
ceded this for President parties were pledged
certainly large proportion Of candidates
were pledged-to support the passage of the
Australian ballot law. But the knaves and
schemers who had been so generally inter-
ested in defrauding the people of their votes
ranked themselves In lines Of opposition to
the passage OF the bill and did what they
could TO destroy its effectual utility. A suf-
fcient number OF men remained true to
their pledges and principles to give the law
an Introduction to popular experiment. But
all that the corrupt clement in politics
could do was done to weaken, and even de-
feat the efficacy of the new system of vot-
ing. The Chronicle was viciously busy in
efforts to defeat the measure. 1t had the
cooperation of all the railroad gang OF cor
rupters and as natural expectation had the
support and heartfelt .sympafhies of the
bosses. 1t was tide of selfshness directed
against the people.
The public cannot now fail to perceive
that it Is only by the most strenuous exer-
tions that any semblance OF responsibility
in election proceedings has been realized.
Prior to this election the people knew that
the Non-Partisans had a vigorous and even
overwhelming support. A canvass OF the
city showed that they had a majority of
voters beyond controversy. But now the
clique of corrnpters and debauchers want 1t
to appear that only small vote was cast
for the Non-Partisans. At the time the
Australian ballot law was passed a great
deal was said about the method of counting
votes. Frauds have been perpetrated In the
counting Of votes at numbers of elections In
the past There was systematic preconcert-
ing In the count, and this was done 10 chea
the people out Of their votes, and TO elect
candidates who were purchased in advance
for corrupt interests. In the counting the
will OF the people was discarded and dis
counted.
We are now In this position that we do
not know whether votes have been counted
correctly or bot. III is mist and uncer-
tainty. This, too. under a law which ena-
bles the voter to hand in his ballot with alb
solute secrecy. But what ayails secrecy IL
election officials betray their trust and
feloniously nullify the electors intention
by counting votes for candidates that he did
not give and using his ballot in precisely
the way he abhors? Reform In the mechan-
ism Of ballot counting is an imperative re-
pass without fresh and inyincible cheeks
upon official fraud. 1t is possible to intro
duce mechanism into counting and render
1t indlsputably accurate. but while the
mechanism is in allegiance. what is objec-
tionable TO count during election day
steadily carried along, as in New York?
1t Is scandalous that with so much ex-
pense involved we should know few Of the
results Of the election In this city. 1t is not
the Australian ballot system which is to
blame. 1t is accursed bossism and trickery.
Men were placed In the booths for the ex-
press purpose Of conniying at fraud. While
the ballots are being read out they profess
to check names and register credit marks,
but may systematically transfer the credits
to others. Ii reputable men are not en-
ployed for this work ali becomes uncer-
tainty, and, unfortunately. all is uncertainty
in San Francisco at this moment, Could q