The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-25
A SUSPICIOUS CHANGE IN THE ELECTION
LAW


Not the least of the offenses of the
Legislature of 1891 was the changing of
the election law so as to exclude watch
ers representing parties and candidates
from witnessing the counting of bal
lots. That provision had been embraced
in the election laws of Indiana for years.
1t was based upon reason, because the
larger part of the election frauds which
have been perpetrated in the country
have been committed by election off,
GERS. The Journal has no sympathy
with the Peoples or the Prohibition
party, but it holds. with correspond
ent OF the organ of the former organi-
cation in this city, that an outrage was
perpetrated upon them when the cleo
ton law was so amended as to deprive
them of the privilege Of having watch
ers to witness the counting of votes.
Under the section of the Revised Stat
utes repealed these watchers had
the right to protest against fraud
or irregularity in the count. They
were practically a part of the official
sure an honest counting of the votes
end to look out for mistakes. By the
amendment of 1891 watchers are not
permitted. The counting must be done
by the members of the election board in
secrecy. Why has this change been
madef Why was this law. that had
stood for years to insure an honest
count, repealed No one has yet vent
ured reasonable pretext. but its re-
peal by Legislature which was guilty
of all sorts of partisan unfairness justi-
fies suspicion.
The law provides that the judges and
clerks in each precinct shall be such
men as the chairman of the county COM
mittee of each of the leading parties
shall designate. If the Republican COM
mittees do their duty In this respect
two Republicans can be present to guard
against fraud. In some localities it is
difficult to get intelligent and faithful
men to perform this service. When
the Republican committees fail to select
Republican representatives as judges
and clerks, the inspectors, who, in the
places frauds can be looked for, are
Democrats, will select quasi Republic
ans who will be the tools of the Demo-
cratic managers. This is one danger,
but it can be avoided if Republican
committees are wide awake. and intelli-
gent and earnest Republicans will see
that the best service they can render
the party Is to act as election judges
and clerks.
Republicans have every reason to sus-
pect Democratic managers in this State.
It was only a few years ago that a con-
spiracy was exposed in which number
of Democratic managers were impli-
Gated, and one or two were convicted of
changes In the ballot law have aroused
afresh these suspicious. Already Dem
ocratic "ine workers" have intimated
that "this year it will be only necessary
to buy Republican judges and clerks to
carry the election" Such Intimations
from such source indicate that the
matter has been talked of. Let them
find in these officers men who cannot be
bribed to commit perjury.
Forewarned, it will be possible for Re-
publicans to prevent the frauds which
might be perpetrated under the present
law forbidding watchers. They can do
this by insisting that Republican repre-
sentatives on boards shall be real Re-
publicans, and by calling for federal in
spectors, who cannot be excluded from
the places where votes are counted. In.
Indiana there must be an honest cleo
ton this year.