The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-01-06

PENDENT; HELENA
meas be mAds In the clauses regulating The
registration Of those who become cttisens
just N few days preceding tho election. This
clause az il now stands. taken In conaec-
tion with the clause closing reclamation on
newly made citizens and those who reach
their majority after that date.
Fifth. Tho clAuaea permitting on ia
vote under certificate should be- amended
40 that when q voter s~urrendsps nie certih-
cate to tho judges Of election the judges
poll books.
TIN AUSTRALIAN LAW.
As a means of securing independence TO
the voter. and freedom from corr uptinG in-
f~luences at tho pc Ia, tho Australian law has
appealed to popular favor ana mas met
eager approval in many states. Vote buy-
ing and intimidation have boon greatly
checked through the operation OF this sys-
tenn, yet all must admit that human inRe-
nuity can defeat the purposes OF any. law
however carefully framed. Endorsed as
the best device ever suggested to preserve
the purity OF elections, II becomes our duty
TO mako evasions OF the Australian law an
NV ~ RO06AbA0s Eo JAW va vAV
law is, first, to enable the voter to cast his
vote in privacy. unintluonced by his em-
ployer or others who might seek to control
his action; and, second, to prevens the un-
principled voter from giving any evidence
or assurance that he had carried ont ANY
terms of a bargain made in advance, the
necessity for amending our present law be-
comes apparent. l would recommsd auoh
changes in the ballot as will place the naMes
OF party candidates in separate columns
and thus enabl the voter. with one mark,
10 vote his entire party tickeA. II he
40 desires; at the same time leaving him
the privilege OF marking it in detail. az at
present would eliminate those features
which mako possible the CollusIon of the
judges Of election with interested parties.
The use of printed cards and sample bal
lots. in many localities leads 70 the open
Law. by enabling the judges to keep a CLOSE
check on the action OF the voter. The
remedy for this lies in drawing the cloak
of secrecy still closer around the voter. I'm
der 40 circumstance or conditions Except
blindness or other physical disability
should the judges be permitted to mark a
ballot, or become in any way a party to the
action of the voter. either with or without
his consent. The simplitleation Of the bal
lot. as suggested, will render it q matter of
comparative eaae for the most illiterate
voter to mark his ballot. Not only should
UIe VOt6E DO COIuD0llSO 10 ludEh LIZ OWu
ballot, but it should be made q crime for
any judge or other officer of election to
seek to ascertain what the voters action
has been.
THE GOVERNORS SUCCESSOR.
II Ia clear that the term of office Of the
president pro tempore of the senate and the
speaker of the house expires the day after
their respective SUCCESSORS are elected.
And, when 1t happens, as il did in the re-
cent election, that both are succeeded,
there is evidently q vacancy in both ofices.
whom would the duties of the governor
devolve, should both he and the lieutenant
be absent from the state, or If
both of them for n reason be dlsquali-
fed? It now appears to me that the short
est n most direct way Of providing for
the term of service of the members of the
legislative assembly shall not expire until
the day their SUCCESSORS convene in regular
biennial session.
THE NATIONAL GUARD. II
feel a deep interest in the mainten ance
and prosperity of our national guard. l
believe in them. and shall always be proud
to champion their cause. Our constitution
says the state shall maintain q state militia.
and makes it your duty to provide for its
maintenance. Experience shows that no
state can afford to neglect the militia; their
services may be required when We least ex-
poet it. Our military code provides for
an annual e~ncampment, but none has been
held since 1889. owing to the failure of the
legislature to make an appropriation for
that purpose. Under an act of congress
providing for the disposition OF the aban-
Fort Ellis reservation, the state
b. ard of land commissioners filed on GAO
acres for a permanent military camp
This is centrally located and easy
of access. l do most earnestly recommend
that You make an appropriation as will in
sure an annual enoampment. -
SILVER.
The failure of congress to lecislate in the
of the white metal. as demanded
by the silver producing states, and to place
it upon its proper footing, has injuriously
the mining industry. and conse-
all the industries of this state.
Restless Under the inf1ictlon of a wrong, il
becomes the duty of every good citizen, re-
gardless of his political affiliations, to seek
to right it. To this end l would recommend
we menorfalize congress. praying for
the early consideration OF a free coinage
bill, and further recommend the creation
of a joint committee TO prepare arguments
and com pile facts to sustain the petition.
WORLDS EXPOSITION.
l am firmly convinced that the Worlds
exposition, to be opened IN Chi
cago in a few mouths, will afford Montana
the desired opportunity to make her mar
velous resources known to the whole world.
at our very door will be gatherei
together the brightest representatives from
every foreign mutton, II millions of Amer
leans; many thousands of these people will
be seeking o field for investment, and rs
many moro seeking information to guide
them in the selection of future homes in
the great west. 1t was the purpose of the
last Legislature that our state should avail
itself of so favorable an opportunity to
place before the world convincing proof of
our claim that Montana is the most profita-
BILE field for capital and labor to be found
in the entire northwest. Hence an appro-
priation of $50, 900 was made to meet ex-
renses Incident to the preliminary work.
In the work already accomplished by the
board of managers, in providing for a dis.
play creditable to the state. nearly all Of
the original appropriation has been ex-
pended. To utilize the Investments made,
and to insure the success of the Montana
exhibit, ar additional appropriation of a
reasonable sum will be required. In placing
but $4,000 at the disposal Of tho
board Of managers, to q work OF
such magnitude, it WAS the evident intent
of the former legislature that their sue
cessors should supplement that appropria-
deemed necessary to the success of nn I'M
dertuking the expense of which could not
be correctly eatimuted in advance. Thu
exhibits are now mostly in the hands of the
board. and they will with mute eloquence
proclaim the unlimited wealth OF our
mines. and thu fertility of our soil. The
minerals collected will call the attention of