The record-union., 1894-10-10
q POSSIBLE ABUSE.

The suggestion made by the Oakland
sEsa0atrer that there is defect in the bal
lot law, in that it affords too free oppor-
tunity for independent candidates to
place their names upon the official bal
Dot. The Enquirer charges that there are
independent nominees in the official
list in Alameda county, who are there
for no other than the scoundrelly business
Of blackmailing genuine candidates.
Thus any fellow who can wheedle or
worry sufficient number of people into
Signing his petition for nomination, may
Ele his name for an Office, and be listed
npon the blanket ballot. He may then
proceed to use this advantage as lever
TO move candidates who are on the list
an sincerity to buy him off with coin, or
with the promise of deputyship or some
political favor and spoils reward in case
the party treated with is successful.
He does not stop there, possibly. Hav-
ang bargained with one candidate he goes
at once to each of his opponents and en-
NO"HoAS ~ t1duS Will edcn Ol Lnem III
like manner. Having thus secured place
or plunder beyond peradventure, he
wIthdraws at the right time. All this
Notwithstanding the penal offenses in
volved and the severe punishment pro-
Vided for withdrawing for profit or
promise.
w u NO tn net yl.afx rE,a,,%
this miserable fraud is practiced, but we
have reason to believe that it exists, and
that one or more examples Of it may be
found in the cities and more populous
counties and towns. We can understand
how this blackmailing and extortion can
be carried on, and can see how it might
grow into very great abuse and how
difficult it is to prove it and bring the
guilty to punishment.
If it is already an abuse and a correct
ave is to be applied it should be done at
the session of the Legislature now near
at hand. Tinkering the ballot law is to
be avoided-it is dangerous, at the best,
10 Its integrity. The law was conceived
IN loftiest purpose, and that the RECoRD-
UNION was its earliest and constant
advocate is a matter of pardonable
pride with this journal. The law was
not framed in all its details as the REC
oRD-UNIoN deemed wisest, but to get it
as it is was long stride in advance. 1t
has worked so well and has such a deep
hold upon the respect Of the people that
we entertain no fear Of its abandonment.
Its enemies Will not attempt to over
throw it by repeaI-they may. however
seek to destroy it by cunning and re-
peated approaches and encroachments
upon its integrity. In the effort to cor
rect the abuse referred to, advantage may
be taken to make the system distasteful.
Any proposed amendment, therefore
must be criticised sharply and examined
with great care.
An essential feature of the law, a vital
part OF it, is the opportunity afforded for
independent candidacy. 1t makes it
possible for ''the forgotten man" to be
righted; it puts the poor man upon the
level with those who would buy their
way in caucuses and conventions. 1t
renders boss brokerage much more
profitless business. It emphasizes an
essential principle in the American
system, namely, the right of every citi-
zen to aspire in sincerity to Office and to
ask the support of his fellow voters.
This right must not be limited; to
seriously diminish it, or cripple it by
conditions of hardship will be to turn
the whole scheme of the reform ballot
over to boss management.
We have not thought out a means of
standing off those who abuse the indie
pendent nominating privilege. If the
evil is great, or may be as dangerous
as at first glance seems possible,
remedy for it must be and will be found.
The blanket ballot must not be loaded
down with dummies, nor made un-
wieldy to serve the ends of blackmailers.
On the other hand the free right to run
for Office by those honestly aspiring
must not be abridged.
1t is to be taken into account that the
abuse complained of, and which as yet is
not of large proportions. initiates
against regular and sincere candidates,
but does not materially affect voters, in
whose interest chiefly the ballot law
was enacted.