The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1893-02-03
R1LL0T REFoRM


More than three-fourths Of The states
IL the union have adopted the Austral-
ian ballot system, generally in q moai-
fed form. In every instance il has
proved 4 great improvement upon old
methods, and the opponents Of the new
system are confined to those who have
Il The past ana wish in the future 10
profit By corruption and fraud in cleo
lions.
We may remark here, incidentally,
that the change has il every instance
resulted in Strengthening the Demo
cratic party, thun refutinR the charge
that corruption was more prevalent in
that party than in its formidable rival
the Republican party, and proving ez-
actly the contrary Of this oft repeated
assertion.
No section 81 the union needs balloi
reform more than does the south, and
no state in the south would be NOR
benefited thereby than Louisiana. Ig.
noranCe and bribery are potent factors
in this state, and at every general cleo,
tion thousands Of Illegal votes are cast
nor can this be prevented under til,
present system of voting. Whiskey and
money are unblushingly used and there
is not an intelligent man in this parish
but knows that today we have parish
and municipal officers a5lso o11et their cleo
lion % his odass.
II all the voters were as honest and
intelligent as they were in ante bellum
days, the necessity for a change would
not be so urgent, but such is not the
case. We now have a large element
that is both ignorant and purchasable
and so common has become the practice
of purchasing votes that nothing is
thought Of II and bnt little attempt
made to conceal it.
We believe there should be some mod,
ifieation Of the Australian system adopt
ed here and we would favor also both
an Intelligent and property qualification.
We are aware that in the matter Of the
latter lproperty gaalifeation) we differ
from many, and in lien thereof perhaps
a poll tax Of say three to Eve dollar
annually might do as well. 1t seems tc
Ms that only the intelligent taxpayers
should have the choosing Of our officers
iand debating for what purpose and in
what manner the vast revenues derived
from q tax on property shall be ex,
pended. As the matter now stands, in
very many parishes in the state nearly
If not quite a majority who are aocus
toned to vote pay no property tax, bu
are in a position to dictate what amour
shall be used for public improvement
and in what they shall consist Rhethe
in giving aid 10 railroads, erecting pub
lie buildings, etc. 1t seems to us bu
right and proper that only the taxpaye
should decide these questions,
We shouId be pleased to see our con
temporsries throughout the state TAX
mp this question of ballot reform which
10 our opinion, 10 the vital question Q
the hour. BY commencing nov to agi
tate this question, public sentimeu
may be moulded to the extent and il
the manner that shall demand some aC
tion thereon at the next session Of th
Legislature. ...
d We have every assurance that III
obnoxious "Federal Elections" law wi
shortly be repealed and it would be me-
and fitting that the state pass ball,
reform law that would forever put
veto upon the ignorance and corruptiO
that for SO many years lave dominate
our state politics and 10 many instanct
in times past placed corrupt politician
in places that should be fiiled by me
Of known pFobity and intelligence.
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