The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-05
ALaw Georgia Should Have.


The members of the legislature ought
TO besif they are not, pretty well ac-
quainted with the Australian ballot sys-
TEN. For number Of years it has been
discussed in the papers of the state. All
of its leading features, together with the
advantages it possesses over other sys-
TENS of balloting, have been pointed out.
No legislator, therefore, who keeps
abreast Of the times and knows what is
going on, not only in his own state, but
also in other states, can plead ignorance
of it.
The Australian ballot system, with
notifications in some instances, has been
adopted in a great many of the states and
wherever it has been adopted it has given
satisfaction. 1t is a system that secures
absolute fairness in elections, and is the
best safeguard yet devised against briD-
ing and intimidation at the polls. 1t pro-
vides for a secret ballot, 50 that anyone
may vote as he pleases, without fear of the
criticism of friend or foe
We ought to have the system If we
are not mistaken all the leading papers
in the state favor it, and many of the
SudIt > 4Gdulllk IltAl ia Nt "a DltaoIA bllNlAl-
selves as being very much in favor of it.
1t is certain that those who are profound
ly interested in promoting the best inter
ests of the state are confident that the
system would be productive of vast
amount of good.
For several years the MORNING News
has called the attention of the legislature
to it and urged the members to study it
thoroughly aud endeavor to make them
selves acquainted with its workings in
those states that have adopted it. To
what extent the members Of this legisla
ture have acted upon this advice it is i'm
possible to say, but if they are not pre-
pared to express an opinion in respect to
it they have failed, to great extent, in
the performance of the duty they owe to
their constituents.
1t would not take long TO frame a bill
in accordance with the Australian sys-
TEN, and that work should be done with
out delay and introduced into both
branches of the legislature, so that it's
consideration could go on in both houses
at the same time In that way decis-
ion could be had in regard to it within a
very short time.
There are men in the legislature who
are well qualified not only to explain the
Australian system, but also to point out
the benefits that would be derived from
it. If they have not made themselves ac-
quainted with its workings in the states
in which it is in force they could easily
and quickly do so.
Why nothing has yet been done in this
state looking to the adoption of a general
balloting law based upon the Australian
system is one of those things that it is
difficult to account for. Must Georgia
always lag in the rear in the matter of
great reformsl She is the empire state
of the south and is proud of the title. She
ought to let the world see that she de-
serves the title by leading all the other
southern states in progress and reforms.
1t must be admitted, however, that great
as she is and progressive as her
people are, there are other southern
states that are more nearly in harmony
with the spirit Of the times in some inn
portant particulars. For instance, there
were southern states that had part in
WIG BACdt NOAIu Abli bill1 Aldo JuSbCuu
Georgia had no part in that magnificent
exposition, much to the regret of those of
her people who saw it.
To this matter of the Australian ballot
system she cannot afford to be Indifferent
any longer. If she does not adopt it soon
she alone will be without it, That her
people would approve it after having given
it fair trial there is no reasonable doubt.
The people of other states find it satisfac-
Us have a new ballot law based upon the
Australian system before the legislature
adjourns.