The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1893-01-24

Some time ago The Savannah Press
called attention to the corrupt practices
of politicians in buying votes at elections
held in that city and county, and voiced
the need for ballot reform in a ringing
editorial The local elections in Savannah
for month past We're conducted i'll such
a manner as to make reform OF some
kind a necessity The Morning News
Joined its evening contemporary In the
fight for fair and honest elections; then
the state press took the matter in hand,
until 1t is now almost a unit for ballot re-
form. Indeed, we doubt Ii the press OF
Georgia has ever been as unanimous on
any issue as it seems to be on this.
The Rome Tribune published an article,
recently, advocating modification OF the
Australian system for Georgia. This
article was read and endorsed by Chief
Justice Biecllley In a letter to the editor.
And so it goes; the best men in the
state see the necessity for reform In our
voting system, and their endorsement Of
the efforts, which are being put forth
in that direction, will have great weight
with the people and hasten the reform
demanded. The Savannah News, dis
GUESSING this matter, says:
There Is 8 large purchasable vote in this
county, and that 1t is purchased will not be
seriously denied. The elections to very
large extent are not an expression OF the
popular will, because very large percentage
of those who vote do so FOR money. 1t is n
matter of Indifference to them whether one
set OF officials are elected or another, and
this will ccntiSue to be the case as long as
the present system exists. Vote buying is not
confined to this county or this state. The
evil Is notorious In other states as 1t Is
here, but 1t has been checked In very great
degree in those states In which the Austria
Han ballot system has been adopted That
system opens the way for q voter to cast his
ballot as he pieases. The briber cannot give
the man he brides ticket and follow him TO
the polls. The vote buyer. therefore, hest
tates to pay money to a voter who may not
cast the ballot he is paid to cast
The Constitution endorses the work
which is being done by the state press
on this line. Some kind of reform is Ger
tainly needed in our elections. Other
states north and south, after years of
experience, have adopted. in one form
or another, the Australian system of
voting. II is now in force, in various
modified forms, in more than half the
states, and the people generally are
satisfied with it. 1t might be given at
least trial III Georgia The press is
clamoring for It, or some kind of law
that will be beneficial and remedy the
evils complained Of In our present voting
system
The attention Of the legislature Is be-
ing called to the matter and our con-
temporaries unite In an appeal to 1t for
the enactment of law that will achieve
the results desired. Perhaps the legisla-
ture viii take the matter under consider
alton, and, If it does, we will probably
have purer elections In future. 1t GER
tainly merits the attention of our legis-
lators. The press, speaking for their
constituents, makes this clear to them.
Ballot reform is evidently needed In
Georgia. and Georgia seems determined
to have It.