Evening journal., 1894-04-05
ITS USES and ABUSES.
DR.. Murray Talks on the Sane
tity Of the Ballot
BEFORE COLLEGE STUDENTS

bbfUhh OOLbldh 6lUUbN 10
The Origin OF the word-An Interesting
Talk ON the UsaEes of the Ballot in
other Countrles-How the American
Ballot is Abused by Ignorant Men.
Rev w. L. S. Murray, of Dover. de-
livered an interesting lecture before the
students Of Goldeys Wilmington Com
mercsl College of Shorthand and Type
writing Many visitors were present.
DR.. Murray said:
1.-THE ballot is from the Greek word
ballein, to throw. The ballot is used
instead of vive voce, or the method OF
holding up hands Ballots have
been made Of pebbles aud Of
beans, whi'e and black, also
OF shells, ss when Aiistides. the just
was expatrlated the votec vote upOn q
shell the sentence v hon asked why he
voted against sucl a ju person he re-
Piled. because hs.Wa5 tired Of hearing
him called the just
"rne ballot Of our time marks the
difference between an absolute monarchy
aud q democracy. An absolute monarch
claims to rule Yox Dei-by the voice Of
God. The people a-e seffs or slaves.
Tue person OF the ruler is sacred. The
people have no rights which he Is bound
to respect
The President Of the United States
rules Vox Populi--by the voice OF the
people. The people are sovereigns aud
the ruler is servant The people have
the right and the power 70 remove from
Office at any time those they lift into
position 20 serve them
1.-The voters Of this and other coun
tries must be qualified according TO the
laws Of the land In which they live
Now, ia some countries, the qualification
is a pt toperty quail hcation In other
countries all the males who are twenty
one years Of see, who are assessed, and
who have psid their taxes, for which they
hold q receipt.
"There sre those who claim that there
ought to be an educational qualification,
at least 10 the extent o. be.-g abe TO
READ tie ballot vOteo.
An lacy Way to Choose.
"Tla ballot Is used 90 give the quail
fed voter an easy ana tOlest way Jo ex
press MS INTEL geut cL3ile cf principles
and persons. l is also used 90 resIsir
tlos. VINO Iu.e over Us from evil and 90
aid them IN doing their very
best that they nav Deserve TIE CON
mend tion o. their constituents. IJ is
! z So usel 20 Keen I'D al ilf sless la public
[ aAair5 1y frfg grs-. cotton 1t rights
/ tla v-c-g p.te.fsftd BY the adoption
| %. wrong g .ue.p.es aud the election OF
inPloaes ald Incompetent persons TO tll
/ gQs -IJls
AbrIed ny Ignorant Persons.
The ballot is abused by the Ignorance
of voters whether they be- native ol
/ foreign born. II is abused when it is de-
posted for corrupt purposes or persons
as the race course gambling, lottery, OF
men to carry out these iniquitous
schemes. IL is abused when it is sold 10
the highest bidder or for any price what
soever.
1.-The fountain of government in a re-
public is ia the voter When the foun-
tain is corrupted the whole stream will
be polluted. 10 is abused when it is
bought, and the man who buys a vote is
equally guilty Of coiruptiug the foun
tain of government With the one who
sells Both are enemies 70 any democ
racy, for the reason they do what they
can to prevent the free choice of the
intelligent voter.
Under such circumstances the cleo
tion will not be the result OF an intslli
gent honest expression but will be th'
result of an argument fIom the mint. 1
is abused II incorrectly counted, or wher
the ballot box is stuffed or stolen.