St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-07-27
BALLOT REFORM.

and there was . gaod attendance,
considering the bad weather. Nine
parishes were represented, BY It's
delegates. Judge Allen Barksdale,
Of Lincoln parish, was elected
President, and r. L. Tullis, Of New
Orleans, Secretary. The following
platform and resolutions were
adopted:
This convention recognizes that
the purity, freedom and secrecy Of
the ballot and the integrity OF
the count Of the votes lies At the
very foundation Of our Democratic
government, favors the qualiiica-
ton Of the suffr age, 90 IS to elevate
the character Of the electoral body,
and to eliminate - far rs practicble
the unfit, the ignorent and the vi
cious, and 1T the same time to so
amend our election laws, methods
and practices Is to secure the free
dom, parity, secrecy and independ-
ence OF the ballot, and IN abso-
lutely correct count and return of
the votes - actually cast by legal
voters.
We, therefore ~ an organization,
urge upon our fellow citizens of
Louisiana, the ratification Of the
proposed amendment to Article 1875
Of the constitution. It does not
qualify the suffrage in the exact
manner We desire, but it is = big
step In the right direction and
opens the door wide for better
things.
We advocate the adoption of the
Australian ballot law rs proposed
by the Ballot Reform League of
Louisiana, - the best method yet
discovered to secure . secret, I'M
bought and independent ballot. and
We urge the people to elect to the
next legislature men pledged to the
support Of that measure.
We are organized neither to
favor Or oppose the nomination and
election OF any particular candidate
for any Office. All personal ambi-
tons should be subordinated to
the great end in view; and the can
didates for Governor and members
Of the Legislature should be the
fittest opponents Of the principles
OF the League, and expressly
pledged to its measures.
Under existing conditions in |
Louisiana, We can to-day only hope
for success in carrying our meas
ures through by means OF the Dem
ocratic party. The usefulness and
maintenance Of that party depends |
upon its adopting our measures aud |
policy. We therefore urge that all |
good citizens join our League and
extend its numbers and influence
in every parish and ward precinct. |
That the League actively en-
deavor to elect delegates to the
next Democratic convention pledg-
ed to the policy and measures OF
the Ballot Reform League, leaving
the delegates free to vote for that
citizen OF Louisiana who is tue best
leader Of the Ballot Reform move
ment, and heartily and earnestly
10 favor Of its measures.
Resolved, That q State Central
Committee, to be composed Of one
from each parish and ward
10 the Parish Of Orleans, Is mem.
bers from the State 1t large. to be
by the chairman OF this
CONVENTION, which convention shall
meet at time and place to be named
BY the chairman Of this convention
70 select from its members . chair
man, and formally open . Ballet
Reform campaign.
Resolved, That our hearty thanks
ire que TO the press of the State for
he able and earnest and hearty
support that was given in the past,
Ind that we request lts continued
.fforts in our behalf, and that all
he papers in the State publish
hese resolutions.