Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-05-02
WILMINGTON. THURSDAY. M4Y .
Now Let the House Act Promptly.

The State Senate at Dover, Thursday, |
by vote Of 8 to 8, passed the bill en-.
titled can Act to Prevent Corrupt Prac-
tices and Fraud ut Elections" The bill
now goes to the House of Representa-
tives, and upon being passed by that
body will become law of the State.
We believe we are right in assuming
that the bill will receive favorable con-
sideration in the House. 1t is measure
with which every member Of that body
should be in thorough sympathy. 1t is
not partisan measure, for although the
three votes Against its passage in the
Senate were cast by Republican men,
bers, il was passed by the votes Of four
Democrats and one Republican. 1t is
y bill to purify elections in this State, and
Its provisions convey no partisan ad-
vantage to any political party.
The bill has been printed in full in
the columns of The GAZETTE, whose
readers, therefore, are fully conversaut
with its provisions. 1t is just what its
title implies, a measure intended to pre-
\ vent corruption and fraud at elections
In this State. 1t aims to put an end to
the disgraceful practices that have made
past elections in Delaware, as conducted
by both parties, a shame and a disgrace.
1t is framed with the intention of elimi.
mating the influence of money from our
political contests. 1t strikes deadly
blow at vote-buying, and renders it dan
( gerous for any candidate to attempt to
traffic in suffrage. It. makes it impossi-
BILE for rich man to have any advantage
by reason of his wealth in a contest for
public office, by limiting his expendi-
lures within the bounds of ordinary and
proper campaign expenses, and thereby
placing him on level with those candi.
dates who may not be as rich as he in
worldly goods. In word, il will make
the result Of future elections in Della
ware dependent upon manhood and not
money; upon the deliberate Judgment
of the electors, uniniluenced in any way
by the corrupt use of money at the polls.
What great reform this will inaugu.
rate in Delaware is apparent to all in
any way conversant with the manner
in which elections in this State have
been conducted for years. Not a sin.
gle argument Of any weight can be ad.
vanced against the passage of the bill
by the House of Representatives, and
the only admonition that need be urged
upon the members of that body is to
act promptly. The session is drawing
near an end, and it would be folly to
allow measure of such grave import.
ance to fail from lack of time to act
upon it. With this measure enacted
into law, and the Constitutional Con.
vention provided for, the Legislature
may safely adjourn sine die, no matter
what other legislation may be pending,
without detriment TO any real interest
Of the State.
We are pleased to see that our morn.
ing Republican contemporary, the NeDs
recognizes the thoroughly non-partisar
character Of this move to secure homes
elections in Delaware, and urges it:
enactment. In closing an editorial il
which the potent provisions Of the bill
are cited, the Ncos says;
These are the salient features Of the bill
shorn Of its details, and they seem to NEE
all possible conditions which are liable tt
arise Ill connection with the holding o.
elections. If the General Assembly shall
pass the bill It will be doing its duty and
its responsibility in that direction viii
cease. 1t Will then remain for the officer
of the law TO put it into operation. W,
see no possible reason why il should no