Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-09
Bearing Of The Evidence in The Case Oh
Other Contests.
DISCUSSION OF THE WALTON LAW.
Application OF the Australian Bal
lot system to Elections in Massa-
chusetts-Pcrcenta of the Dis
franchised Hereunder.

upon. In the argument Wnlch MT. JONES
made before the committee yesterday he
gave some facts and figures that were
rather surprising. He stated that IN
Massachusetts,, the first State to adopt
the Australian method Of voting. and
where that method had been in vogue
seven years, the ballots rejected and not
counted on account of improper marking
equalled in 1894 10 per cent. Of the vote
polled in that state. At the congressional
election Of 1891 when the Australian sys-
ten was first tried in Virginia, the re-
jected votes in the Fifth District amount
ed to less than per cent; in the Tenth
District TO about Y per cent; In the
Fourth District to something Ike IL per
cent, and in the Sixth District about 10
per cent.
This. Alr. Jones thought, compared very
favorably with the result In Massachu-
sets. where the percentage OF illteTacy'
IL was claimed, was so small that the
constitutional requirement that every
voter should be able to read and write
practically disfranchised nobody emit
4
| consideration, Mr.. Jones argued, in COM
pairing the results in Virginia with those
In Massachusetts,, that the Massachusetts
law had been frequently amended, and
that the advocates Of that system Of
| voting now claimed that IL was as near
perfection in that State as II was posslDie
To make il. Still, he said, the percentage
Of imperfect or rejected ballots had not
been reduced below 10 per cent
Mr. Jones expressed the opinion lha'
any system OF voting which prdcucahS
lisfranchlsed 10 DER cent. Of the voters
especialIy when IL disfranchised such T.
percentage Of voters who were not lite
rate. and after years Of experience III
voting under that system, was an UNJUST
and a bad system He thought that none
of the secret systems OF voting By Oallot
were as fair and Just as the old-tlme
viva voce method.
sINGLE-CONSTABLE FEATURE.
II may be remarked In this connection
that the attorneys who have argued the
cases for the contestants In the Virginia
cases have scarcely referred 10 the SIN
gie-constable feature OF the Virginia la"
That feature, so much condemned by the
Republicans OF Virginia on the stump
seems to cut no figure In the cases as
made UP for argument before the House
Of Representatives.
The chief objection that has been urged
against the Virginia law here Is that
IL permits the alienation Of tho names
Of the candidates upon the ballots In
the argument OF the Thorp-Mckenney
case. both Colonel Brady and Mr.. ThoFp
stated that they did not question the con-
stitutionailty OF the Walton law. nor
make any attack on that law Itself.
At one Of the committee meetings,
General Walker said II was understood
that Chairman Ellyson had ordered the
alienation Of the names Of candidates
on the ballots. This Mr.. Jones positively
denied, and said that MIR. Ellyson had
given no instructions regarding ballots
further than that they should explain.
when asked, the provisions OF the law
Deep regret was expressed here to-day
on the receipt OF information that Re
preventative Elicit was in very criti-
cal condition. Mr.. Elicit has the sym
patty OF his colleagues, and a large circle
OF friends in this city. 1t may be in
teresting to state that the various bills
and matters in charge of Mr.. Elicit have
been taken care OF by Mr. Swanson. Mr.
Jones, and the other members OF the
delegation. All legislative matters have
been advanced, and Mr.. Elletts secre-
tary, Mr.. Buchanan, has looked after
his extensive correspondence.
/ have 1t from the best Republican
authority the recent factional war be-
tween colonel William Lamb, chairman
and boss of the party In Virginia. and
General Edgar Allan and Judge Wadciii,
which ragged so iercely for while, and
which was apparently ended in love
feast at Norfolk. actually resulted In
presidential split. More than this. it is
said that Colonel Lamb got the worst OF
It, lie is put down as the leader OF the
Reed boom in Virginia. and is expected
to deliver the delegation at st. Louis
for the ex-Czar My informant, who is
in a position TO know, claims that the
Mckinley faction. headed by Allan, is
much the strongest in the State. and,
under the skilful leadership OF that in
defatigable person. the delegation will
show up with a majority for the Ohioan.
PERSONAL.
The nomination Of o. p. Wicker for the
postmastership Of Farmville. Va. is now
pending confirmation In the Senate.
Mr. X. X. Campbell. OF Bedford City,
Va, who has been stationed at Eastport,
Me-, has been transferred to the city as
special immigration agent vice Frank
Il. Syrick, a Richmond man, who has
been made Confidential Secretary Of the
Bureau OF immigration.
Deputy Collector Briscoe Bouldin, of the
Internal Revenue Department. whose post
is Roanoke. was In the city to-day on
business with the Commissioners office.
He left for home this evening
Mr.. T. Z. Roesslle and wife left for
Richmond this evening. where he will
remain until Monday. Roesslle Is the
well-known proprietor Of the Arlington
Hotel in this city. and this (his flrsD visit
TO Richmond, Is to enjoy the hospitality
OF the matchless Jefferson.
On Thursday DR.. and Mrs. ]. l.. NJ
Curry gave handsome dinner to Senator
and Mrs. Wolcott, Senator and Mrs.
Brice. Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph z. Washing
ton, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Glover, Mrs.
Van Ness Phillip. Mr.. and Mrs. A. c.
Barney. Mrs. Perine OF Albany. Mrs.
Jack Rodgers. Mrs. Pearson OF North
Carolina, Mr.. Faulkner Pierce. Mr. Sale,
mission.
The table appointments were unusually
handsome.
Secretary Morton, Of the Agricultural
Department. is catching II right and left
for his reputation OF the law requiring
the distribution OF seeds. Hansbrough
Qsepubiican) first poured hot shot
into him. and now come Senators
Vest and Blanchard Democratic de-
livering broadsides against him. The lat
ter gentleman said that Morton 'took the
law by the throat, just as a highway
man seizes you on q lonely road"
The Secretary. however, takes II all
quite philosophically. and amuses himself
and friends by humorous criticisms Of
his senatorial assailants.
W. A. Hall has been appointed fourth
class postmaster vice n. s. Patterson, ~
signed. at Yadkin Valley. CaldweIl coun-
ty, N. c.
Miss R. ". Courtney. q Rieh@ona, A