The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1896-01-04


makes II necessity for irresponsible orsan-
izations which come to WELD autocrauc
power over the political party they claim
to serve, and in turn, through discipline
almost military in severity, are dominated
by an inner circle of leaders,. As ball
lots can neither be printed nor distributed
without money, and may not be faithfully
handled unless truSty workers are re-
warded with more than an election day
stipend. the organization undertaking the
work has Il plausible if not reasonable
claim for money from its bcnefciaries
and official patronage for its retainers.
1t is the necessity of raising these funds
and employing these "workers' that JUS
titles assessments gives color of volun-
tury contributions to what i'll truth are
sales of nominations. excuses the submits
sion of official patronage to the dIstribu-
ton of the machine, provides ample cover
for collecting Il corruption fund, and,
through ''workcrs'' at the polls, con-
vcnicnt channel for disburSins the fund
in brides. And corruption funds in
crease, masked in increasing demands
for legitimate expenses, assessments
grow. the price of nominations RISES indie
pcnlcnce is shackled and the organization
becomes more indifferent to party prin-
cple as it's monopoly of political power
strengthens. Born of the necessity OF
volunteer machinery for preparing and
distributing ballots, it develops into
powerful instrument, which, in the hands
of political jobbers. enables them to buy
and sell office las the P7aetorans sold
the Roman purple Already. poor men
rarely obtain political advancement with
out assuming bligations to be redeemed
by official perfidy, and the Obstacl to
unaliicd candidacy have become so great
as often to prevent and always to dis
courage independent nominations
This political monster would be de-
stroyed by the Australian system. If the
State assumed it's function of providing
ballots, there would be necessity for
''workcrs'' at the polls. and the excuse
fer raising. Il well the host mode of
using corruption funds would disappear.
Assessments could not then lie .crled
; upon candidates, for when ''workers' at
! the polls not required, machines can
| neither serve nor injure. Nor would
nominations be sold; for when candidates
stand upon an equality in respect to cleo
| ton machinery, and there is no Oppor-
! tunity for bribinG voters, organizations
merely as organizations have nothing
worth buying, while organizations as
| representatives Of principles cannot be
I apron chcd through commercial chan
ncls Ira Ticking in office would be re-
placed hy political discussion. the power
of the machine by the voice of the party.
The evils Of machine organization and
| the remedy of the Australian system are
summarized as follows by William NJ.
WINS. than whom one has done more
| intelligent, energetic and effective work
| for electoral REFORM:
THE EVIL.
l.: The necessity for voluntary printing
| and distributing the ballot juSttheS organ
2. It practicallS. vests the machine with
the monopoly of the election ma chinery.
| 3. And as consequence, with the mo-
| nopoly of nominees.
| 4. 1t involves the necessity OF defraying
| the expenses of both printing and dis
| tribution by means of assessments on or
| contributions by candidates. office-holdcrs
| party leaders.
5. Which ia cilitates bribery and corrup-
| ton by affording them convenient covers
| THE REMEDY.
| I. The printing and distribution of all
! ballots a public expense does away with
| the necessity of organization for this pur-
| pose. $500
2. And will deprive the political ma,
! chimes of the monopoly Of an essential
| part of the election ma chinery.
| 8. 1t will enable any body OF citizens
the name Of their candidate printed OF
the same ballot with the names of al:
| ca ndidates for the same office. SO that be:
fore the law and before the voters al:
! viii stand a perfectly even footing.
4. This will dispense altogether with tbs
necessity of all excuse for levying Pc.
And leave no legal cover for brib
TO this system it is objected that by
requiring nominations to be made in ad
vance of elections it denies Il constitution
al right of voters to select candidate:
from the whole body of voters. From
such eminent authority as Judges Cooley
McCrary and Folger. and the hiShes
courts of Pennsylvania, Massachusett:
and New York, it may be safely inferred
that a restriction of the franchise to can
didates nominated short time before
election is reasonable regulatica ani
:. not n nncoD fntional interfpRenco: hSa