Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-05
THE ELECTION BILLS.
Eight Different Ones Nov Pending Be-
fore The Legislative Committees.
THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES.
Nearly All of the New Measures
Propose 10 Abolish the Special
Constable and Make Other Provis-
ION for Discharging His Duties.


Since the Legislature has assembled
for this session there have been just
eight different election bills introduced
in the two houses. The most imports
ant OF these is the one presented BY
Mr. wickham. I'm the Senate. duplicate
OF which was presented In the House on
the same day by Mr.. Winston. Ths
provisions OF that bill are somewhat
similar to those OF the Maryland and
New York election laws. The much-ob-
jected-to special constable" feature OF
the present Walton law is entirely elimi.
mated In Senator Wickham's bill. and
the following provision is substituted
therefor:
ANY voter may call to his aid any
qualified e,ector In the same district. whs
may retire TO one OF the booths with
him, and there mark his ballot for himi
but no such person shall 50 mark the
ballots OF more than one such voter Al
any one election, and the Judges OF elec.
tion shall keep upon the poll-books q
memorandum In writing after the names
OF each and every one OF such persons
so assisted. specifying the name OF the
elector so assisting"
Other features OF the bill are the re-
quirement for the ballots to be uniform
requiring the same size OF type TO be
used for all candidates; prescribing 10
detail how the ballots shall be printed
making special provisions for the press-
Dental electors. and for the cases
wherein constitutional amendments are
submitted to the popular vote; making IL
the duty of the Judge OF the county.
when the Electoral Board meets, TO
stamp the ballots with the seal; to
cause 10 be delivered TO the clerk OF
the county a sample ballot which shall
be placed upon file for examination by
the public, IL being made the duty OF
the clerk TO attend 10 this.
The bill also provides that opposite the
name Of each candidate tlsre shall Be
square 3-S OF an inch in size. and the
voter shall put a cross-mark In the
square opposite the name OF the candl-
date for whom he wishes to cast his
vote. 1t Is prescribed that I'm presiden-
tial elections the ballot shall be headed.
presidential" and that the electors OF
each party shall be grouped together.
with n small square for the cross-mark
opposite each rame. Opposite each group
shall be printed the name OF the party.
and the name OF the presidential candi-
date represented shall be printed oppo-
site each name. The bill further pro-
yides that a person who Is physically dis
abled shall receive the assis stance OF the
judge in preparing his ballot. but that
intoxcation shall not be regarded as a
physical disability.
SENATOR HAYS TWO BILLS.
Senator Hay introduced two bills. the
principal feature OF which Is the provision
a. 81. ~
a separate column containing the names
OF the candidates OF the different parties.
and that there shall aIso be a column
for ndependent candidates. The TN fur
ther provides that Just above the name
or each party shall be printed device.
TO be chosen by the State chairman OF
each party, and communicated to the
chsirmen Of the several electoral boards,
at least thirty days before an election Is
held. 1t shall be the duty OF the Judges
OF election 10 have posted up on the day
OF the election In conspicuous place at
their voting-place one of the Official tick
cts TO be used at his precinct. Like
Senator Wiekhams bill, Mr.. Hays
measure provides that those physically
disabled shall receive the assistance OF
tho judges OF election In preparing their
ballots.
The second bill introduced by Mr.. Hay
merely repeals sections IL and II Of the
Walton law. which would be In conflict
with the above bill II allowed to remain
upon the statutes.
WHAT SENATOR PARR PROPOSES.
Two bills introduced by Senator Parr
are similar to those of Mr.. Hays, with
the exception that the judges OF elec-
ton are required 10 assist, not only those
physically disabled from preparing their
ballots. but also those who may not be
able to do so on account OF educational
disqualifications. 1t also provides that
the Board OF Supervisors OF each county,
and the Council OF each city, shall con-
stitute the electoral boards.
IDEAS OF MIR. CRAIG.
In the House. besides the bill intro,
duced by Mr.. Winston, which is The
same measure as introduced in the Sen.
ate by Mr.. Wickham, there have been
three election bills presented by Mr..
Craig. Most OF the provisions OF these
bills are identically the same as thoss
contained I'm the measures introduced by
Mr.. Hay. IL is proposed that the names
OF the candidates OF each party shall
be printed I'm separate columns ON the
ballot and, like the Hay measure. re-
quires that an official ballot shall be
posted In conspicuous place in each
voting-place on the day OF election. Ne
does not provide, however, for the device
for each party.
An amendment to section OF tho Wat
ton law. however, provides that three
days before every election the secretarv
OF the electoral board shall deliver 10 the
sheriff OF the county or sergeant II the
city or town, as the case may De. thu
official ballots, together with the poIl-
books for the various precincts in his
said county. city. or town. sealed, ana
directed 10 the three judges or election.
whose several names shall appear ON
the package. The said sheriff or ser
geant shall receipt therefor, certifying
that the seals appeared TO be untam-
pered with. and shall deliver either In
person or through his deputies 70 one OF
the judges Of election at each precinct
before the election, taking his receipt
therefor.
The sheriff will receive as compensa-
tion for the performance OF his duties
under this section the same fee as for
summoning witnesses. The bill also pro-
vides. as does the Wickham bill. for the
judges to fix the ballots OF disabled cleo
tors
The two companion bills, introduced by
Mr.. Craig. have bearing only on the
electoral boards. and provide for the
constitution OF each BOARD OF three men,
bers. with at least one each from the
two political parties receiving the hight
est number Of votes IN the state al the
preceding gubernaaoriai election.
still another bill Is being prepared BY
a committee selected In the opposition
caucus. and this will probably be the
most radical measure OF all. IL will be
submitted to both Republican and ropu-
list leaders before being introduced.