The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-03
TIE AUSTRALIAN BALLOT.

There are many species of the genus
australian ballot and improvements are
evolved by experience each year.
While an excellent move in this direction
Il now under consideration by our Legis-
isture. II is hardly 10 be hoped that they
wiu at once enact even approximately Il
perfect ballot system. We shah not ex-
poet 1t. but we viii be very thankful Tor
what is done We beg 10 suggest, how
ever. that the present bill would be i'm
proved. If instead Of requiring the voter
TO scratch out all the names NOT voted
for--which in some cases might be great
hnnlber--the voter should be permitted
10 put cross mark. or, as is the case IN
Maryland. where the pad and stamp are
furnished stamp cross mark opposite
the name voted for. This has been found
TO work well. and saves the time and trou-
bic OF scratching out all the other names.
AN official ballot, too. should be posted up
outside. accessible 10 the bystanders, for
their inspection and information.
The emblem or device for designating
each party, and the right 10 vote for all
the candidates in block by putting your
cross mark In place prepared therefor
at the top-is "a further labor-saving
method.
The requirement that the voter shall
do his own marking and that the name TO
be erased shall have at least three-fourths
OF It's length marked out, is likely to take
up more time than is allowed even an in
teiligent voter. but with the initerate win
be worse The mark opposite the name
voted for should be substituted for the
proposed method.
There should be two ballot clerks or
constables-of different political parties
and as they are only allowed one dollar
day for their services, the additional ex-
pcnse of another clerk or constable would
be more than compensated for by the adj
ditional assurance Of fairness.
PROFESSIONALLY the effect of this Austria
Ian system is to discourage iliterate
voters, and that has been shown by ex-
peiience elsewhere. Many have ahstaiAed
from voting altogether. while others have
gone through the motions, but have put
IN blank ballots. But however that may
D., IL is an immense Improvement on the
present practice, where in places-we
don't know how many-lterscy and illit-
eracy are lin one red burial blent."
The Times has had little reason to think
that its suggestions on election methods,
however modestly made, would receive
any Alteration from the Legislature, but
we venture 10 make the above sugges-
lions. believing that with proper legisla-
tion we can easily take a position where
all Democrats can stand, and where the
old sores from corruption in elections may
be healed and a united front be presented
at our fall elections.
We firmly believe that good election
iaw-one which has the impress of fair
ness-win do more o. unite and enthuse
SIZE Democratic party than all the
speeches that could Zoe made Let the
people ind out tt1t there is going 10 be
surc-enopgh election and they will turn
out and work and vote. As II IS the
upaiby which we have recently seen win
Dc repeated. An increasing number viii
ask themselves. 'What is the use OF vot-
ing?"
There Is now an opportunity 70 rectify
the wrong. at least In great measure.
VIM The Legislature do e?