Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-10-16
observation-disclosures 16. 1891
The Coming Virginia Election.

The Coming virginia ELECTION.
So far as we know there is no purpose
on the part of anybody to bubble about
The meaning Of the words may" and
shall" in those sections Of the Walton
w prescribing the duties Of the special
Unstable.
We feel sure that II is the wish of our
party leaders that each special constable
shall assist each iliterate or physi-
caIly disabled voter when requested by
the voter so TO do. We believe that That
vas the intent and purpose Of the
flamers Of the Walton law, and we are
advlsed that it is probably the true iega!
definition of the word "may' in the con-
uectlon in which II is used in that sec
ton Of our new election law TO which we
refer.
Furthermore we are OF the opinion that
this view will be accepted by the consta-
bles, so that whenever an iliterate or
disabled voter asks Of constable help
I'm preparing his ballot the constable will
give that help as the law Intended that
he should.
We want 20 see the Walton law carried
out In letter and spirit. The better this
done the better we shall be pleased.
IS a new law-it is necessarily an eX-
.nent-and we desire ii TO have fair
II. All that we ask for is n strict OBJ
s,rvance Of the law. We don't want to
have any experiences such az the town OF
buchanan had-where all the trouble was
caused by "the utter disregard Of the
law" on the part Of the special consta-
bic, who. we believe. is Republican. II
upon fair trial the law gives satisfac-
ton IL should be continued in force.
II it fails why then 1t should he repealed
and another law, statute or organic
enacted.
1t seems to US that if those Of our peo-
ple who are charged with duties at the
polls on November 9Th viii inform them
selves thoroughly as 10 the provisions
Of the law they will find that it will
work smoothly and satisfactorily.
The Australian ballot system, in one
form or another, is in operation in most
of the States of the Union, and surely
If other people have the patience and in
should be able to do so.
We are sure that the law will work
we'll IL the officers who have to conduct
re November election will but take the
palns to learn the laws provisions in
aIvance. Any officer who delays reading
The law until the day of election is likely
TO find that he makes a bungle of his
business. Its provisions are simple
enough. but they are new to Nirginians
generally, and for this reason we have
frequently urged election officers TO go
to studying the law now. Especially
should the special constable inform him
self. because his duties are important,
his position is a responsible one, and il
he fails TO execute the plain proyls ons
or the law after all this warning he viii
be held justly blamable.
Yes, we say again. that it is our wish
as it is our belief and expectation-that
the new election law shall be carried out
in every county and city in this state
according to its true intent and meaning.
If so carried out each special constable
will consider that IT is his sworn duty
TO assist every illiterate and physically
disabled voter who applies to him FOL
help In other words, may" in the
much talked-of section should be con-
strued to mean shall"
Not only are our people to vote fol-
members Of the United States House OF
Representatives on the 9Th of November
but they are also privileged to vote FOE
or AGAINST an amendment 10 the State
Constitution. This amendment, If adopt
ed. will probably save the public treasury
10000 per annum. inasmuch as it vii
enable our General Assembly to pass
laws allowing certain petty cases TO bC
tried without the Intervention and cost
Of a jury; that is TO say. the people viii
vote (as we PREDICT that our court pro
cedure in petty cases may be restored
by the General Assembly to what it was
before our Supreme Court of Appeals
gave its decision in the Mary Miller case
There will be a separate ballot and q
separate ballot-box for taking the vote
on the constitutional amendment The
law Is not as clear as II should have
been as TO how this vote must be taken
but in the opinion of those well qualified
to judge the separate ballot will meet
every demand of the law, and will ascer
tain with unquestionable accuracy the
sense Of the voters on this important
question.
AS TO what assistance the special con
stable Is authorized to give an iiiterat,
or disabled voter. Judge Simmons. ir
deciding the Buchanan election case. said
'If tho voter is totally blind the con
stable shall prepare said ballot for SAFE
elecior. in accordance with the instruc
lions OF said e!ector. This is the only
kind OF voter for whom the consta bl
can or shall prepare a ballot. in accord
ancs with instructions OF tho voter.
the voter can see and has the physica
ability TO strike out the name pointed
out by the constable. he Ohe voter mus
strike out, and not the constable. IL III
constable prepares the ballot for an,
voter, and assists him who can read am
write ana has eyesight and the use o
his hands sufficient 10 enable the voter
10 prepare his own vote. be violates tn
law. II he does more than read the nam,
or names OF the several candidates, anC
the Offices which are 10 be voted for
over TO a man that Is educationally un
able 10 read and point out to him III
name or names OF such as he desires 4
strike out, he violates the law. provide
such voter has eyesight ana the use o
his arms and hands sufficient to enable
MIN to strike out the names Of such per-
sons as he does not wish to vote for"
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