The morning times., 1896-12-05
AUSTRALIAN BALLOT
USED IN CHURCH
Epworth Leaguers Make Their
Election Interesting.
Fifteenth Street Chapter Ran
Blanket Ballots Through
Clothes Wringer.

Voting for church society officers a la
Australian system is an innovation that
has started in washington ana threatens
to be immensely popular.
1t was all brought aoout by the determin-
alton of the Epworth Leaguers OF the
Fifteenth Street Methodist Church to make
every one of their meetings interesting
and attractive. The annual meeting and
election of Officers was to take place
last night and il did take place and the
novel voting scheme proved everything
that was expected of il. The Leaguers
said that their president, Mr.. Frank j.
Metcaif, was the originator of the idea.
All this was the reason, therefore, why
the spacious parlorS of the church pre-
sented such an animated appearance last
nisnC. 1t wouu nave oecn easy enough
for dreamer to imagine that 1T was a
twentieth century scene, or better still, u
Wyoming election day.
HAD A BLANKET TICKET.
A genuine blanket" ticket was pinned
to one OF the folding doors Win an
elaborate page of typewriter directions
OF how to vote it.
"Oh, what ii shame that womencan't tvote
really real Ticket said one pretty girl
to another.
Wei, maybe when We become old
enough we can" replied her companion.
Ali this time around the sample ballot
there WAS a lively discussion going on and
| one member after another would be drag
ged into corner and 'electieneered "
| Then the voter would break away full of
conviction and determination and slip
over TO the booth.
This was an attractive arrangement
made to accommodate two voters at one
| time. There was plenty Of bunting drapetl
around II and flags and league banners
| were added 10 increase its attractiveDess.
Close to the booth was the ballot box,
the most Interesting feature Of the whole
arrangement. From short distance il
presented the appearance of circular
| roll OF bunting with crank attachment.
1 Closer inspection showed that 1T was a
| small washtub, with a clothes wringer at
| tached to one side. Two teiiers stood
| here, and while one cancelled the name OF
the voter. the other wound the ballot
| through the rollers of the wringer.
Itwas all very, very funny and everybody
laughed and jested as everybody else voted
POLLS CLOSED AT $50.
The polls closed at s. 30 o'clock and the
| tellcrs. Messrs. T.. Z. S. Croggan and
| EdwardC. Funk, counted the ballots. There
| was tie on the ticket OF second vice presi
dent and Misses Ruth Briscue and Matti,
| Davis received an equal number of votes
The remainder of the election resulted
as follows, Frank j. Metcalf, president
Harry Far mcr, first vice president, Mrs
Frank j. Metcalf, third vice president
Miss Mamie Alward, fourth vice president
Edward Funk. secretary, and W. II. Rogers
| trea Surcr.
After the election the reports of the oil
| officers were read. Miss Helen Bickton
and j. Albert Shade each rendered delight
| full piano sO'os and Monte Hourhtnn pla We,
on the autoharp and the mouth organ.
Rev. Mr.. Albert Osborn took charge of tn
meeting then and everybody talked at on
colleges. Twelve leaguers represente
asmany different Mcthoiist6 olhgesthrougi
out the country and wore the rcspectiv
college oolurs and told the merits OF tn
universities they represented.