The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-16

A pA>cERorrs CONCESSION.

Tho English people few years ago
adopted n new election law. and al the last
two elections the "Ililteracy'' plan was
tried The london Spectator has made
Investigation OF the working OF the law
and gives some rather startling results.
II is considered a reliable paper. although
as to its conclusions some allowance must
be made for It's anti-Irish and anti-Catholic
proclivlties its information IS valuable as
showing how an apparently good law may
be perverted
The English law permits any voter who
declares himself iliterate 10 be aided in
marking his ballot II would seem that any
man would be reluctant TO make such adj
mission except from necessity. yet the re-
suit in ireland shows an entire dispropor-
ton to other statistics. and has aroused
the suspicion that some force Is at work.
Thus. I'm the elections OF 1892 there voted
as "illiterate'' in England and Wales Il. 100.
In Scotland 4.557 hut in ireland the number
rose 10 A.e1e These figures represent a
proportion OF tho total vote of 1.2i per cent.
in England and Wales. IS per cent in Scot
land and 2iis per cent. I'm Ireland. on the
face Of II the percentage in Ireland would
seem to be indicative Of remarkable de-
gree Of illiteracy, hut 1t is said 20 represent
tho results of a somewhat shrewd ard
rather INSCRIPTIONS method OF eleotioneer-
ing.
II was with reference 10 this explanation
OF the astounding proportion OF illiteracy
that the investigation by the Spectator vas
vvau asroet.4 rht.a,r
northern constituencies, and the trust
worthiness of the correspondents is guar
anteed. In one constituency n case is re-
ported Of an elector declaring himself to he
illiterasa who. on investigation. was found
TO be engaged in an employment requiring
ability both 20 read and write. In another
case the professed ullterate gave himself
away" when looking over the sheet on
which his name aud address were being
entered. by remarking that The name Of
the place from which he was entered WAS
misspelled. one or the correspondents 81
the Spectator makes the following some
what sweeping and We trust exaggerated.
statement OF tho condition of things in his
own constituency:
Prom every altar "a ---- Oh the Sunday
after the names OF the candidates were an
nounced directions We're given IN more or
less farcitle language 20 the voters how
they We're 90 proceed Schools were formed
and the voters we're told whore ~ put tho
cross. Numbers Of them were told % vote
nliteratc. When tAe polling boota
was reached long iilcs or electors were
formed. Numbers OF priests from oats.se
districts mere imported. vho marshaltd The
FREQ ana Independent electors. aud kent
dlnSiag into their ears the name OF the
person they were 20 vote FOR. In
side the booths the scene was even more
disrresltshle There The agents were most
ly priests 1ha poor voters in order 10
shew without doubt for whom they were
voting. and also 40 prevent any chance Or
the paper belaS spoNra. n numbers of
cases declared themselves ul.terate and
voted for ire priests nominees. You can
well picture - yourself the feelings Of
These poor peorlr Nhen. ushered sinKlv
into the ballot room. they found themselves
again IN thu presence 81 their priests and
compelled 10 vote with such an influence
surrounding them
Allowing FOR all sysggerati tor. ans some
Is probable. ts's picture accords With the
provision q the laws allowing indlscvlm-
mate assistance n ilH.c-atss
Attempts have been made 20 incorporate
some such provision in some - our states:
bat ia this country there seems no excuse
Tor IL. \ man wao VIII rot trouble himself
- learn 70 spell the names q candidates