New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-16
FROM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE IRisoNtI
PUBLIC OflNio.r'

.xtent nv two capable and influential journalists,
: II Es,u ~ "The Savannah News" and Clark
Howell. of 1.-THE Atlanta Constitution" One Is
| ioyal supporter of President Cleveland ana taxes
most conservative views OF the currency tarin
and silver questions The other is a most out
spoken and aggressive critic OF the Administra-
tion and ,s intensely hostile TO its policy on
financial questions.
They are in full accord. however. on the most
;mnortant State issue-election reform; and it Is
largely through their influence that the Georgia
Legislature has taken up this subject. At the
recent session new Registration act was passed
md a Ballot Reform bill was exhaustivey con-
ldered in committee and reported to the Legis
allure to be acted upon at the next session. Mr.
lowell described the first law 10 me as most
satisfactory measure, insuring the strictest regu
alton in the registration Of voters without par
| san CONTROL the boards being non-partsan
he general trend of the other bill he considered
be in the right direction. although 1t might
equre modification in details: but he was conn.
cent that the whole system of elections wouio
speedily be reformed
This movement in favor of election reform mas
Undoubtedly received a powerful Impulse Io"i
,he sudden growth Of the Populist vote In Geor-
sia In 1892 the Democratic candidate Tor Tow
ernor had plurality of 71.5o2 and 81 per cent
" the nopular vote In 1894 the Democratic plu-
alitv was "a 1911 with a percentage of 5o1a or the
opular vote In two years the Populist vote in
ceased from $500 TO s6.SSs. This is fact of
feat significance, which has not failed TO I'M
pess a conservative man like Colonel Estill with
TIP seriousness Of the political situation in Geor-
et although he is inclined 10 attribute the fall
ins off in the Democratic vote TO party feuds,
contests over nominations. the hard times and
general apathy His colleague in Atlanta had
less to say about the Populist movement, but
held Congress and President Cleveland respon-
sible for the decentralization OF the Democratic
Marty in the South Without reference to the
Ppulst gain in voting strength. both men were
Thoroughly in earnest in advocating ballot
form and agreed that the repeal of the Federal
elections laws had brought this issue to the
front Mr. Howell contended that reform meas
ures had been out Of the question so long as the
South was threatened with bayonet rule and
force bills but that the removal of restraints and
m.naces had changed the situation and left
Southern Democrats free TO act for themselves
without fear OF unfriendly interference and with
out dread of negro domination. The disgracetul
scenes in Savannah which preceded the recent
Mayoralty canvass when gangs OF negroes hred
by rival factions were fighting and smuggling in
the courthouse over the payment Of taxes as
preliminary requirement of voting. aroused Colo
mel Estilrs indignation and confirmed his zeal as
a reformer.
Without entering into a detailed examination or
conditions of Georgia politics. may more prohta-
bly, consider the reform agitation in that state
in connection with similar movements In other
Southern States The text of the Ballot Reform
bill which has been reported to the Legislature
for final action at the next session. discloses
scheme which corresponds closely TO measures en-
acted in other Southern States. 1t introduces the
Australian ballot very much as the same 'hing mas
been done in Alabama and leaves the iliiterate
voter at liberty TO call upon the inspectors OF
election to mark his ballot for him. While TINS
system prevents crowding and intimidation at the
polls and provides adequate accommodation Tor
voters its efficiency as reform measure de-
nends entirely upon the honesty and impartiaty
Of the election officials There is nothing In the
tex: OF the bill which gives any assurance that
botl parties are to be represented at the poiing-
places by inspectors clerks who can act as
rnakers for illiterate voters. Special con-
stables belonging to one party are not appointed
as markers. as they are under the outrageous
Wilton law in Virginia. but the Alabama pro-
ceoIre Of authorizing any inspector OF election 10
dothis work is followed. This will operate fairly
well If the Republicans or Populists are allowed
trustworthy officials at the polling-places' but
this is not done in Alabama. There cannot De
hnest ballot reform in Georgia, If the machinery
Of elections be left entirely under Democratic
control. or If ignorant stool-pigeons are employed
a. representatives of the opposition.
The avowed purpose OF Democratic leaders IN
the South since the overturn OF the Recohstruc-
ti.n governments was TO disfranchise negro voters
without direct and fragrant violation Of the Fiji
tenth amendment. which deprived the States OF
the power Of denying them the suffrage by rea-
son OF their color or previous condition OF servi-
tude This general object accomplished IN
many ways after the abandonment OF buidozing
methods.
The poll tax was introduced in several States
and is still in force in Arkansas Florida Georgia,
Mississippi and Tennessee. 1t abandoned
several years ago in Virginia, where 1t had be-
come a source of corruption: and In Tennessee
this requirement is the pretext Of Democratic
,rcksters for cheating Henry Clay Evans out
OF the Governorshp. The original theory was
that a negro would not pay poll tax and that
the enactment of the law would practically dis-
franchise him; and in order facilitate the oper-
alton the presentation Of a poll-tax receipt "hich
he would be well-nigh certain to lose was made
a prerequisite for voting. AS soon as the whites
were divided as in Virginia in Mahone's day. or
as in Tennessee at the present time, the system
broke down. Poll taxes under such conditions are
largely paid by candidates and campaign COM
iiittees and ntoerable evil
Another method which has been adopted in
nearly all the Southern States, is the manipuia-
ton or suppression Of the negro vote by registra-
ton or election laws administered in a partisan
way. The requirement that a certificate OF
registration should be presented by a voter at,
the polls was an accompaniment OF the poll-tax
receipt and designed for the same purpose. The
absolute control Of the registration by officials
appointed by political ring is one Of the abuses
Of this system In Virginia. South Carolina, Flori-
da, Tennessee. Alabama Arkansas Mississippi
Louisiana and other states. Similar partisan