The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-12-05


the official: being of the opposite party
of the voter, would probably prepare the
ballot contrary to the directions of the
voter; In other words, that the special
constable, being Democrat or Repub-
lican. as the case may he. Twill likely
perjurc himself in the interests of hts
party. This Is most violent assump-
ton, and, IL carried TO It's logical con-
clusion would cast dlscrcdit upon ev-
cry Judge who presides. aud every wit
ness who testifies. In II contested cleo
ton case, or other matter of u politI-
cul nature. It would be TO hold that a
judge cannot be trusted. nor Il witness
believed, because he may be corrupted.
or may commit perjury TO subserve
party ends. This Is more than l am
willing to assume.
Does the experience we have had in
the operation of the act Justify such
an assumption? Since its passage we
have had three general elections. There
are one. hundred counties and eighteen
cities. and about fourteen hundred vot-
ing places in the state. ana at each
precinct there was ~ special constable
at each election. | have not heard OF
an indictment being found. or even
charge preferred in form. against Il sin.
gle special constable in any country or
city, and this certainly speaks we'll fer
the integrity of the elections held un-
der the new system: and. if they have
been free from corruption and fraud.
why amend this provision of the law?
Striving to better. Oft we mar what's
we'll" tt may be said that the lliteratc
voter, I'm the nature of things could
not detect fraud in the special consta-
bic. Detection is easy. and so vigilant
have been the opponents of the syst EN-
II Is hardly probahlc that they would
have so utterly failed to find Il single
case tn present if the law had not been
honestly administered.
TSnf If mora jhnn ON, f,. L.,
sisted upon, how many would be sue-
gcstcd? ] imagine. Of course. one for
each party having a ticket and one
for each independent candidate. Each
constable would then he present as the
representative and partisan of his PARTY
or candidate Every illitcrate voter.
upon entering the polling place, unless
he intended to deceive. would clearly
Indicate how inc intended 10 vote by
the constable he would select to pre-
pare his ballot. and the secrecy Of the
ballot would thereby be destroyed. lie
would virtually, proclaim his vote, and
the way for tho use OF money. now
closed. would be- opened up. and full
play would he given again to class ana
race influence and intimidation. 1t
may be urged that with one constable
the secrecy OF the ballot is DESTROYED.
This is true To tho extent Of The officials
knowledgc-this from the necessity of
the casc--but. under the proposed
amendment. the voter will bc compelled
To disclose his intentions. not to one
man. but to the Judges. clorlia, and all
the special constablcs present.
Taking everything into consideration.
do not thc"advantag of The existing
provision outweigh the Advantages of
the proposed amendment? With one
constable. there Is only possible dis
honesty In the prepara ton of the bal
lots of the illiterate and blind: with more
"a ~ "a lNIt 10. Nh,.ls, tn,
destruction Of the secrecy OF the ballot
or a disclosure. perhaps. tcn-fold great
cr than nov. and renewal Of the evils
OF intimidation. nancy corruption and
undue class and race influences. No
law can be:ehsolutely perfect, No law
can rendnr' fraud. corruption or dis
honesty absolutely impossible All that
can he done Is to exclude. rs far as
may be, the opportunities for the pcrpe-
tration of wrong, and impose heavy
penalties foc violations. Tn my opin-
ion. the Walton act. in It's general
scope, approx imatcs the object desired
OF fair and hnncst elections. and -
freH, untra,nmellcd and unpurchascd
expression af the will of the people
4 dishonest and corrupt constab bic may
occasionally be found under the existing
system: hut. on the other hand the
proposed amendment world make the
purchase, intimidation and imrropc.r in
i'ucnCc If voters easy and certain. and
require the illtcratc and blind voter to
impart his secret to all present in the
polling place.
If am wrong in my conclusions, and
YOU should determine that the number
of special ConstableS should lie in
creased. | shall checrfully yield to your
Judgment. for no man more earnestly
favors fair and honest elections than
myself
I recommend such amendments as
may be necessary to relieve the act OF
uncertainties in its construction.
recommend that ii lac 50 amended as to
require the ballots i'll each county and
city 10 he. OF uniform size and style.
printed in plain and uniform type.
so they can he easily read by those
acquainted with the English language.
7.yEchimg.
With pain and modification I bring
10 Your attention the frequent taking
of human life without due process of la,y
within the borders of our State. Every
such act blunts the sensibilities Of the
participants. and tends TO dry UP the
well-sprin"s of morality and break
down the safeguards of society. In
Virginia lynChing canrot be defended:
it must I've rcprobated. This COMMON
wealth has ever boosted Of the purity
Other judiciary and the uprightncss of
her iurieS. vet the number who Nave
suffered death by tho halter, without
trials or sentences Of her tribunals Of
Justice. has created abroad the i'm
preston that her judges and jurics can
not be trusted, or that her people are
sWayCd by passion and uncontrolled By
reason: that here law is dcthroncd and
l To-