The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-14
Ballot Box Frauds.


II this legislature adjourns without en-
acting registration and election law that
would make ballot box frauds practically
impossible, it Will deserve and receive
the severest condemnation of the people.
We know Of no other matter that should
receive such prompt and thoughtful at
tention. We believe there are a great
many members of the legislature who
are ready and anxious to do whatever
It is possible to do to insure absolutely
fair and honest elections. but the subject
is one Of such overshadowing Importance,
and requires the exercise of so much study
and judgment, that very few OF them
are willing to undertake the work that
is required to frame such a measure as
is needed. There must be those. however.
who are equal TO the task, and they should
come TO the front at once, and undertake
it,
From all parts Of the state come com
plants of fraudulent elections. The pop
ulists charge that the democrats COM
mitted frauds in the recent elections, and
the democrats make similar charges
against the populists in counties in which
the latter had control Of the ballot boxes.
While it would be difficult, perhaps, TO Sc
cure sufficient testimony to convict any
one of Illegal voting, or of stufiing the
ballot box, or committing any other kind
of election frauds. stin the assertions
that frauds were committed are so posi-
tive that there is hardly room for
doubt that they have a very substan-
tial foundation.
1t would be a wise and proper thing
for the legislature to do to send a com
mittee composed of democrats and pop
ulists to at least a half dozen counties
those which gave democratic majorities
and others which gave popullst MAORI
ties-with instructions to Investigate the
charges of fraud, not only for the pur-
pose Of emphasizing the need of an election
reform law, but also to get testimony
that may be sent to the grand juries of
the counties in which the investigation is
held, with the view of having indicted
and punished those who committed the
frauds, or in any way encouraged them.
We are in favor not only of ballot re-
form law, but also of furnishing those
who are guilty Of the Illegal acts in con-
nection with the elections this fan. With
those who commit frauds upon tho bal
lot there ought not to be, and we DO
not see how there can be, any sympathy
whatever. Such frauds are crimes OF
the gravest character, and are certain
sooner or later to prove the ruin Of the
party that winl1s at them or profits by
them. The people viii not submit to them.
They destroy the foundations of the gov
eminent. If they are permitted in ever
so small a degree they are certain to
increase in enormity. They corrupt the
youth of the land, and deaden their love
for their country and their country's in
stitutions, If the legislature hesitates to
do its duty in this matter of ballot box
frauds it will show itself unworthy to
represent the people and protect their
rights.
1t may be stated in a general way that
there should be a state registration law,
and that one registration should answer
for all elections-federal, state county
and municipal-and for voting, the Austria
liam ballot system, or some modification
of it should be adopted. The tax collector
of each county could very well be the
registration officer, and the election man
ayers in each county should be appointed
by the governor on the recommendation
of the grand jury of that county.
We have altogether too many elections.
Every voter should feel satisfied that
the elections are honestly conducted. Tn
less confidence in the ballot is restored
there win be a sorry condition of affairs
in this state