Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-21
.A BLOW FOR BALLOT REFORM Meeting of the Louisiana League
 in New Orleans. STATE FAIRLY REPRESENTED The Resolutions Call Upon Good Citizens to Help the Movement Through the
 Democratic Party.
TATE FAIRLY REPRESENTED

rain, which started at 8 o'clock and fell steadily till D. m. As early as 10 o'clock in the morning persons began to assemble at the Washington Artillery hall to take part in the first convention of the State Ballot Reform league. There were no decorations of the hall but at the left of the chairmans seat were two voting booths, as adopted in the Australian sys- tenn of voting
 Delegates are present from Ascension, Caddo, East Baton Rouge. both of the Felicianas Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Ouachta. Plaquemines, Rapides and Saint Tammany parishes. All of the wards in the parish of Orleans have rep resentations. Scattered here and there through the audience could be noticed strikers for some of the ring politicians. Though a trife dlatory in making com mencement, there is manifestly much en- thusiasm among the gentlemen assem- bled in the hall.
 At 11:45 pr. H. Dickson Burns said:
 "Gentlemen: 1 call the meeting to or der. I do not intend indulging in any speech making. I propose as temporary chairman Judge Allan Barksdale of Lin coin, and MT. R. L. Tullis of the Second ward of Orleans parish as temporary secretary"
 JuuSe BdTkSudle, OH dSSulHlHS lIle chair, thanked the convention and de- clared that since 1870 he had been close ly identified with the politics of the par iSh of Lincoln, and he earnestly asserted that politics there was free from the cor ruption that 1t was claimed existed else where He knew this pretty we'll, for he had nearly all the time been a candi- date for some one or other office. 0augh- ter)
 Still, the speaker felt that there was a necessity for better methods in politics and a reform of ballot affairs. He was ready to work heart and soul for any re- forms desired It was ordered that committee of five be appointed on ere dentials. It was suggested that the com mittee retire and that recess of twen ty minutes be taken.
 A delegate said there was no necessity for recess.
 Another wanted recess, because there was no hurry; the convention had the whole afternoon and evening before them.'
 Finally a vote was taken and a recess was ordered taken. After this the dele gates crowded up to the secretary's desk and registered and then proceeded to de- posit their credentials.
 At 12:30 the chairman announced that the committee on credentials would be ready to report in a few minutes. If the meeting desired speeches might be made in the meantime No inclination for speeches being evidenced the convention waited the appearance of the committee.
 At 1 o'clock the committee on creden- tials- reported that the following parishes were entitled to representation: Cla1- borne 8; Caddo, s; East Baton Rouge. 2; East Feliciana, 8: Iberville, 2; Jefferson, 5; Rapides, 4; St. Landry. 16; Orleans par ish-First ward, 10; Second, II; Third, 16; Fourth, 2; Fifth, g.; Sixth, 5; Seventh, Il; Eighth, 4; Ninth. 8; Tenth, IA: Eleventh, IS; Twelfth, 8; Thirteenth, 5; Fourteenth, 8; Fifteenth, D. Sixteenth, l; Seventeenth, 2. Total, 175 delegates. Of these 1t will be noted only forty-three are from the country the balance being from the city of New Orleans
 The report was adopted, and on motion the temporary organization was made permanent
 On motion a committee of fifteen was appointed on platform and resolutions
 The meeting then adjournc< until s o'clock.
 At 8 o'clock the committee on resolu- tions brought in the following report To the Ballot Reform Convention of Lou
 iSiana-
 Gentlemen: Your committee on reso- lutions beg leave to report as follows
 This convention recognizing that the purity, freedom and secrecy of the ballot and the integrity of the count of the vote lies at the very foundation of our dem ocratic government, faVorS qualified ton of the suffrage so as to elevate the character of the electoral body, and to eliminate as far as practicable the unfit, the ignorant and the vicious. and at the same time to so amend our election laws methods and practices as to secure the freedom, purity, secrecy and independ- ence of the ballot and an absolutely cor rect count and return of the votes as actually cast by legal voters.
 We, therefore, as an organization urge upon our fellow citizens of Louisiana the ~ 411 ov df9,nf to article 1S5 of the constitution.
 It does not qualify the suffrage in the exact manner we desire but it is a big step in the right direction and opens the door wide for better things.
 We advocate the adoption of the Aus tralian ballot law as proposed by the Ballot Reform league of Louisiana as the best me . 1d yet discovered to secure a secret, uncought and independent bal lot, and we urge the people to elect to the next legislature men pledged to the support of that measure. We are organ ized neither to favor or oppose the nom- ination and election of any particular candidate for any office. All personal ambitions should be subordinated to the great end in view, and the candidates for governor and members of the legislature should be the fitteSt opponents of the principles of the league and expressly pledged to the measures.
 Under existing conditions in Louis jana. we can JOuay Only HOpe LOT sue cess in carrying our measures through by means of the democratic party.
 The usefulness and maintenance of that party depends upon adopting our measures and policy. We therefore urge that all good citizens join our league and extend it's numbers and influence in every parish and ward precinct.
 We urge that the league actively en- deavor to elect delegates to the next democratic convention pledged to the policy and measures of the Ballot Re- form league, leaving the delegates free 10 vote for that citizen of Louisiana who is the best leader of the ballot reform movement and heartily and earnestly in favor of its measures.
 Resolved, That a state central commit tee. cOmposed of one member from each