The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1893-01-25
Rallot Reform Needed.

Ballot Reform Needed.
The Savannan Press is Waging a vigor-
Gus war for ballot reform in Georgia in
order to purify the politics of the State.
We agree W: tn the Press, says the Madi'
son Madisonion, and believe that every
step should be taken to prevent the
traffic in votes that is carried on from
year to year in certain quarters. The
use of money and whisky in our cleo
tons should be done away with, Some
new and improved system of ballot re-
form is needed in this state, and in all
the south. We believe that the Austria
lian ballot system, with the improve
ments made in the states which have
tried it, should he put in operation in
Georgia. Many changes have been made
in it from time to time, and it is now as
near perfect as any system of balloting
ever gets to be. 1t is in operation in
Arkansas and West Virginia. 1t has
worked we'll in the north and easo' 1t
has been adopted by the Legislatures OF
thirty states, altogether.
There is no good or valid reason why
at should not work we'll in all the south
ern states We believe that the self-re-
specting people of Georgia will see to it
shat it is taken up and discussed by the
state legislature at the winter session.
We are of the opinion that our people
should demand that Georgia have tle
benefit'of this honest and enlightened
system which has brought about SO
much improvement in the voting meth
DDS of other states of the south and the
anon. The purity of our public cleo
lions should be the pride of all true and
patriotic Georgians. We voice the sen
timents of the people of this section of
the state, both white and black, when
we enter our pro sest against the damna-
BILE practices that some times obtain at
elections. II is an absolute disgrace to
any county of the state that political
WiIe-workers should be placed at pre-
c:ncts, ar ned with flask of whisky in
one pocket and a roll of money in the
other.
1t has gotten to be so common in some
parts of Georgia that the worst elements
of the negro race have come to the belief
that they are entitled to so many dollars
and so much whisky for the use of their
votes. 1t is an expensive luxury to run
for an office. Many men of bright minds
but poor in this worlds goods cannot be
offered as candidates by the democratic
party for the simple reason that it takes
money to be elected, and they have not
the money.
What commentary would it be on the
people of Georgia if we had man
among US like the late Samuel j. Randall
Mr. Randall was one of the greatest dem
Ocrats the country has ever known, was
a giant in debate, possessed of an intel
iect that was broad as this continent,
He died leaving an estate valued at less
than five thousand dollars. A five thou
sand dollar man cannot go to congress
from some districts of Georgia. Had
Randall lived in one of these districts,
he would not have been a member OF
cong ress, and the democratic party
would not have had the benefit of his
brilliant and conservative Intellect
Georgia is a great state and her people
sare great people. Ours is progressive
commonwealth, and we cannot afford to
be behind the times in this great reform.
We are not afraid of the negro voter.
This state is a democratic state world
without end. We should work out our
own salvation promptly and effectually
The Australian ballot will do it. Give
US ballot reform!