Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1893-01-13


recommendations made will result in such
constitutional amendment and legislative
enactmentr as will. in the immediate fu-
ture, result In good country roads.
THE MINER BILL. So-CALLED.
The last Legislature passed law for
the election OF presidential electors, by
single districts instead OF, as formerly
here. and the almost universal custom
elsewhere, on the general ticket. In the
early history Of the country this plan
was practieed to considerable extent;
but gradually gave way to the plan OF
electing all on the general ticket. One
OF the reasons claimed for the discon-
tinuance OF the district system was that
II gave the state no standing in the ma
tional councils and II certainly does have
this effect. Michigan now has fourteen
votes In the electoral college, or one
sixteenth enough TO name the President.
which gives us q commanding position in
the nation, but IL five belong safely 10
one party and six OF the other. then
it reduces our influence in the ratio OF
II to 3. Whatever may ne the merits OF
this district system, in the abstract
II should be adopted in all the states or
none. This act has been construed by
the highest judicial tribunal in the land
to be constitutional. notwithstanding the
universal practice OF sixty years TO the
either the correctness of wisdom OF this
decision, but my attention has been called
to a great danger which may arise from
unlimited control over this matter on
the Legislature, and to such other per
sons or boards as they may delegate this
power TO. Hon. F. A. Baker. one OF the
eminent counsel employed in this case
before the Supreme Court, believes that
the Legislature has power to declare
President and Vice-President I'm those
districts where they are not In accord
with the majority of the people OF this
state. as shown by the votes cast at the
election n
for the filling of these vacancies by men
in accord with the majority OF the people.
II this can be done. and should be done,
so that the Michigan electors should all
cast their votes In accordance with the
dominant party I'm the state, II could
make no. possible difference in the result
of the election OF November 8, 1892, nor
be OF any partisan advantage TO either
party, but + desire to call your atten-
ton to the danger that may confront us
In the near future, and recommend that
some action be taken with view to in
duce Congress to provide some safe and
far meth9d OF .eleetins President and
should receive your careful consideration
ELECTION LAW
The present election law is a great i'm
provement over the one in force previous
to its enactment. but 1 would respect
fully recommend that IN order to secure
greater accuracy and remove opportunity
for SEPARATE BOARD passes eo50
ballots; that. the boxes be changed In
the middle OF the forenoon. at noon and
in the middle OF the afternoon; that
as soon as the count OF the first box Is
completed IL shall be the duty OF the
can yassing board to put up in public
view. bulletin showing how the vote
stands, and as soon as the several boxes
are counted have the result bulletined
at once. When the polls close there
Will be but few votes to count. and by
6 o'clock the result can be known, and
as the result OF the vote up to 3 O'clock
has already been made public, there is
little opportunity for mistakes or decep-
ton. The board canvassing during the
day, without having been exhausted by n
days work as inspectors OF election. Is of
itself guaranty OF fewer mistakes and
suit. and as 1t will inspire confidence II
Will reduce the number Of demands for
recount, with the expense and hard feel
Ing engendered, In which the defeated
candidate and party invariably charge
fraud. The expense would be but LITTLE.
IL any. greater with two boards than
with one. because the work would All he
done I'm one day, for which under the
paid for. -
third Monday in November, instead OF Tho
second Monday in December II will fond
to accuracy as well as an early settle
ment of the election.
EXPENSES OF CANDIDATES
Section 13. act No. 100. laws OF 1901
obn SUD- redus as IOllOWS. TO contribute
money for any other purpose Intended
20 promote an election OF any particuIa ,
person or ticket, except for defraying ex-
penses OF printing, and the Circulation
of hand bills and other papers previous
20 any such election, or for conyevinc
eick or infirm electors to the polls"
Now one OF the surest WAYS 10 securo
the observance OF any law is to make
1t consistent and reasonable. There can
be no valid Oh reasonable objection m
the public discussion of political o,,es.
tons which interest the people. To 40
this halls must be hired and some sneak
ers paid. To do this, party COMMITTEE
are necessary, and it seems wise Ia
recognize them and specify for what oh.
jerts money may be Contributed nv can
dldates or others, and require them ~
report for what such expenditures ha vs
been made. All this IS now done bv fhe
committees of all parties under the item
OF printing and circulating documents
1t seems better to permit all legitimate
objects and then enforce the law AGAINST
bribery and improper Inducements to
vote or refrain from voting with vigoS
and impartiality. n. -
STATE WORLDS FAIR MANAGERS,
The last LEGISLATURE appropriated $780,
900 TO pay the expenses Of making an ex-
hibit OF the various manufactures and
products OF the State OF Michigan al
the Worlds Columbian Exposition. under
the direction and superintendent OF a
board created by the same act. and known