The Opelousas courier., 1895-09-21
Ballot Reform Platform and Resolu-
tiOnS,

The following report of the committee
on resolutions to the Ballot Reform Con.
vention held in New Orleans on July 20
was unanimously adopted
This convention, recognizing that the
purity, freedom and secrecy OF the bal
lot and the integrity of the count OF the
vote lie at the very foundation OF our
Democratic government, faEors quail
t~ication of the suffrage, so as to elevate
the character of the electoral body, ANA
to eliminate as far as practicable the un-
fit, the ignorant and the vicious, and at
the same time to so amend our election
laws, methods and practices as to secure
the freedom, purity, secrecy ana lnue-
pendence of the ballot, and an absu-
lutelY correct count and return OF the
votes as actually cast by legal voters.
We, therefore, as an organization,
urge upon our fellow citizens OF Loulsl-
ana the ratification of the proposed
amendment to Article 1S5 OF the Cnnstl-
tuition. 1t does not qualify the suffrage
in the exact manner we desire, but it Is
a big step III the fight direction and
opens the door wide for better things.
We advocate the adoption OF the Aus
tialian ballot law, as proposed 10y the
Ballot Reform League of Louisiana, rs
The best method yet discovered to Sc
cure Il secret, u%nbought and lndepc;d-
ent ballot, and we urge the people to
elect to the next Legislature men pl"ls-
ed to the support of that measure.
We are organized neither to favor al
oppose the nomination and election ot
any particular candidate for any office.
All personal ambitions should bc subor-
dinated to the great end in view and
the candidates for governor and mem
bers of the legislature should be the fit
test opponents of the principles Of the
League, and expressly pledged to it's
measures.
Under existing conditions in LouisI-
ana, We can to-day only hope for sue
cess in carrying our measures through
by means of the Democratic party.
We believe that the supremacy and
integrity of the Democratic party i'll
Louisiana depends upon the advocacy
of these measures. We therefore urge
that all good citizens join our league
and extend its numbers and Influence
in every parish and ward and precinct.
That the league actively endeavor to
elect delegates to the next Democratic
convention. pledged to the policy and
leaving the delegates free to vote for
that citizen of Louisiana who is the best
leader OF the ballot reform movement
and heartily and earnestly in favor OF
its measures.
Resolved, That a State Central Com
mittee, to be composed OF one member
from each parish and ward ia the parish
of Orleans, and twenty-five members
from the State at large, be appointed
by the chairman of this convention,
which committee shall meet at a time
and place to be named by the chairman
of this convention, to select from It's
members Il chairman, and formally open
IL Ballot Reform campaign.
Resolved, That Our hearty thanks are
due to the press of the State for the able
and earnest and hearty support 1t has
given in the past, and that we request
its continued efforts in our behalf, and
that all the papers in the State publish
these resolutions.
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