The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-18

| right 10 do. is dishonest ballot, and the
| law that permits IL il a dishonest law.
| The Walton law permits IL, and provides
I no penalties for doing II. 1T has been
T, done in a great many places In the state
and we have never heard that II Is con-
| gidered illegal
senator lanes Hay. Of Madison. has
introduced a bill .one OF the features OF
| which is said TO be TO abolish the c0nsta-
bic end substituted party groups each with
| fits 1ppropriate emblem, which IS the Au-
strllian system. This Is honest, and this
IS what will some day be on the statute
books of virginia.-Stauton News.
Mr.. Hay. the Senator from Madison
county, has started the bail In motioh
looking to the reformation OF the Walton
election law His first proposition is to
abolish the constable feature. That Is
good.
Mr. Hay proposes an arrangement ny
which even an illitcrate voter can hnd
the general ticket he is looking Tor ana
desires to vote. and then when one wishes
to scratch his ticket one OF the Judges
OF election is required TO render assis-
tance and the same is TO be done when
q blind man comes to the polls.
The law which Mr.. Hay proposes 10
substitute for the Walton law, Is said to
be an exact copy Of the Maryland law,
and IL Is alleged that It works well IN
that State.
The combined wisdom Of the Legisla-
tilre ought to envolve an election law
with ample simplicity. that will guarantee
honesty and fair dealing at the polls
This is what the people want and Is all
they want-Danville Register
The two bills amending the Walton law,
49,. ~ Madison
| county. show how easy and simple Is the
way TO be honest when there is VIII.
nv eliminating the constable feature OF
the present law and providing TO- TAI
| lot i'm which the party tickets are distln-
/ gushed hy appropriate emblems ue-
signated by the respective parties, the
Walton law will be metamorphosed INTO
a fairly decent and honest election meas
IRE. TO great extent II would opNia'e
the educational difficulties encountered
! bv the literate voter in the present law,
| and with the rare exception Of illterates
who wished to scratch their tickets would
ensure an absolutely secret ballot II
would be less obnoxious to the charge cf
bribery than the present law, ana, Tor
that reason would be sure 10 receive Inc
Governors approyal-brihery being, IN nls
Judgment the summa summarum 81 70
1iucai crimes. There are some VINO thhh
Il less wicked to buy mans vote 'han
10 steal IT, but that is neither mere Tor
there. The law az amended ~ NJ. rays
will not be all that we would nave IL, tut
IL will be enough for the present ara,
for one. we shall feel like nominating ga
supporting for governor, or any 1ins else
ne NAV want, Mr.. Hays or any othef man
who can get these amend nents ehat ttd
into law man may then feel jnst priHe
in being a Democrat-Peier5p lrg lnceH-
Appeal.
The Walton election law S one Of the
most interesting measures that VIII come
IN before the Legislature f.r .ons'dcra-
OF course the Walton law will be amend
ed I'm some Dartlculars-it WiD doubtless
undergo the fire of discussion, ana such
changes will be made as the majority III
the Legislature may deem proper.-fln-
castle Herald.
In his message, Governor OFerrall
shows very conclusively that he Is an adj
mirer of the Walton law. Otherwise the
message appears TO meet with genera
approval and little, II any room Is LETT
for comment Madison Free Press
We had hoped that the necessity OF
amending the Walton election law was so
,ion of Democrats, at least throughout
the entire white district of Virginia. The
| law as IT exists may serve the purpose
| Of politicians i'm the black belt, but II
| continued as it is it will as surely Re
publicanise the white districts.-Abing-
| don Virginian
We believe the Walton law In most re-
| spect good one and no better proof OF
| us merit need be given than the Few
! real objections which can be tound 10
| II by those who most bitterly oppose IL.
! If IL needs amendment in the interest OIL
| honest elections let IL be amended but
( the fact that Republicans want IL VIII
out being able to give any reason for II
hardly deserves OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
| Enterprise.
There are a great many people ihcluu-
ing the prominent Democrat from way
| hack" who are unable 10 understand the
| strange fascination the Alexander Island
race-track has for the esteemed AleAah-
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