Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-02-25
AFTER THE sALl.
(Continued from page 5.)g
msnts taking up the recommendations one


ments taking up the recommendations one
after the other.
His first suggestion was that non
partisan ballot commission should be pro-
yided to determine az preliminary ques-
nation certificates. He argued that In
disputed cases II might be Impossible.
often, to settle them In season for the
nation of IA candidate for Governor or
representative to Congress where trouble
would arise. Should a mandamus be Is
sued All proceedings would stop and the
secretary OF State was to distribute bal
lots. He had urged upon the Legislature
of 1891 to provide commission but they
refused to do SO on the ground Of ex-
meet the expense of the commission No
state with the Australian ballot was with
out a commission except Maine.
The next suggestion OF MIR. Fess anden
was that there should be some provision
in regard to the use by signatures In the
Nomination of candidates of political
party desisnations' which exist in the
are made by domination papers the
parties should not have the authority to
use the name Of amy political party. He
men who fled nomination papers and
used The designation of Republican"
This was all wrong.
He recommended that the use of stick
l.
direct conflict with the spirit of the law
itself. because such use could and doubt
less in many cases would be made effec-
tive to obtain the very ends which the
law Is framed to prevent. He thought 1t
would be wrong to change the present
system of marking the ballots. He was
opposed to the envelope system. II would
be burdensome and add to the expense.
The existing system has been in use but
two elections and should be continued on
trial.
The suggestion for a provision for filling
vacancies in members of the House was
considered. The requirement that at least
30 days should elapse previous TO the day
of the election. after nomination certiii-
Gates and papers were filed worked an
injustice in some instances where there
were designations or deaths The 80
days requirement should be stricken out.
1t might be worded that the papers be
filed soon as may be. There were two
designations of members of the present
Legislature and Mr.. Fessenden thought
no attention was taken OF the 30 days
provision.
He had heard a good deal of complaint
that the system was not secret. But he
thought IL was secret as rule. You
could make the ballot absolutely secret
by turning the booths around.
Mr. Fessenden said word for the pro-
position that in case of special elections
for "A State officer the secretary of State
should be notified.
A number of the committee asked II
the booths now in use could be changed.
Mr.. Fessenden replied that 1t would be.
expensive. There were 6JS voting precincts
in the State and the expense in each
would average $40. He reiterated his
statement that the turning of the booths
around would secure secrecy. He could
not tell how men voted when standing
outside the rail.
Mr.. Fessenden discussed the matter OF
defective ballots. Four years ago there
were 1903 in the State and at the election
of two years ago but 5000. So there was
AN Improvement and II would be best to
give the system further trial.
Uncle Joe Holden gave his IDEAS on the
system. He was opposed to the ballot
itself which was q nuisance.