The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-08
THE MANDATE OF THE PEOPLE.

The lesson OF Virginias election is that
the Walton law must be materially
amended at the approaching session OF
the Legislature. The man who cannot
read that as the important declaration
by the people Of Virginia is blind indeed.
We take IT, therefore. as foregone con-
clusion that all parties will agree, when
the Legislature meets. that this is the
first and the most important duty that
body will have on It's hands. The ques-
ton. then. is in what way shall the law
be amended? II is not amendment that
will enable sharp officers TO make Hitter
ate men vote the opposite way to their
wishes. but amendment that will enable
them to vote as they wish. This Is the
lesson of last Tuesdays election We re-
peat the question, then. how is this end
TO be attained?
The first question to he determined will
tie whether amendments are 10 be for
mulaied in a secret caucus or whether
they shall be framed and debated in the
open body OF the Legislature. The Times
Is clearly of opinion that the Democrats
OF the LEGISLATURE will make serious
bluhder If they determine that the law is
TO be amended only in such particulars
as shall be determined on in a secret
caucus. The people of Virginia abhor the
caucus and all other methods of secret
elaboration concerning their interests.
They want to know whatever is proposed
or said concerning matters that affect
their interests. and they want all of their
legislation openly proposed in the halls
of their legislative body reported to them
by the press with the discussion of their
representatives,. The Democratic majority
in the Legislature can. of course at all
times put an embargo upon any legislation
inimical 10 the interests of the people of
Virginia. but no legislation can be mimi
cal 10 their interests that is intended
to secure fair elections and the cause of
fair elections courts all the suggestions
that can come from any quarter Our
election laws are not election laws for
any party. they are the election laws of
the people of Virginia, and Republicans.
Populists. Prohibitionists. as well as DEM
ocrats, nave right 10 have what they
think best In them at least heard and
considered. We hope. therefore. that our
party will appoint strong elections COM
mittees on which all parties shall have
representation. but OF which. of course,
the Democrats shall have the majority.
and that all propositions for amending
the election laws shall be openly made in
the Legislature, sent TO these committees
considered and reported on by them. and
That these reports shall be debated and
discussed before all the people of Virginia
IN open legislative session.
The next suggestion we make is that the
gentlemen elected on the Honest Flee
Tons platform shall drop their already
drafted bill. There is a great deal OF
prejudice against that bill. and it will
simply be a fire. brand in the Legislature.
Let any gentleman make any proposition
that Is contained in that bill that he likes.
but let 1t come as an independent PROMO
tition. and not as an effort to force that
bill upon the Legislature
The important thing. though, after all
is In what respect shall the law be
amended? An official ballot. but not the
kind we now have. and the secluded booth
are popular. and should be held ON to.
But In what respect shall the law be
otherwise amended? There are several
propositions Some men propose two con-
stables. with liberty to the voter to ask
the Judges whether his ballot Is properly
marked. Others propose that the consta-
Die be abolished and that the judges be
required TO mark the ballot for an hit
cate voter. Others propose that the con
stable be abolished. the official ballot be
,.osted outside the voting place with an
emblem over each ticket TO denote that
ticket. and that the voter be required TO
mark his own ballot by comparing II with
nc emblem that denotes the party's ticket
he wishes TO vote.
Our own opinion is that combination
Of the last two suggestions might best
attain me object. The ballot should be
posted under any circumstances. and
whether the constable b abolished or not.
~ ~ eeljSvo EhAt IN honest constable