The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-31
ON HONEST ELECTIONS.
OPINIONS OF MEN WHO FRAME THE
STATE LAWS.
A Strong Sentiment In Favor OF Free
Ballot and Fair Count--Diner-
ence as to Methods

Tho Times continues to publish re-
| sponses from Democratic legislative can
didates to the series Of questions concern
ing the necessity for reform IN the cleo
ton law and the demand for a pure pal
lot in Virginia, already published In these
columns.
state senator George NJ LeCato. Acco-
mac county:
Replying TO your quries in regard TO
our election laws. will say, as concisey
as possible.
II believe. an absolute honest cleo
ton law, that will secure every voter free-
dom from bribery. intimidation and undue
influence. is a utoplan dream-a pracu-
cal impossfbility. Until human nature
can be lifted above the common fralltles
of venaIlty and compatibility, there VIII
always be men to cheat and steal In cleo
tons as they do in every otner Inc OF
business concern.
-. I believe our elections laws shVuiu
provide. as far as possible, Tor ialr ana
honest expression OF the public will; that
all honest ballots. honestly cast shoulu
be honestly counted. And have no hes-
itation in asserting that such laws would
command the hearty approval ana sup
port not only OF the majority or the As
sembly. but Of good citizens generaly,
unfortunately. there no concensus OF
opinion. even among good cluzens' as 10
the plan by which such result Is 10 be
certainly secured. II Is absolutely true
that no such plan has been so far pro-
posed bv any individual or political party.
II is easy enough 10 find a fault. and sup
nlont n by establishing another in its
place.
THE SECRET BALLOT.
''3. II reelected 10 the General Assem-
lie nd nv IN
mort 10 any reasonable measure tending
10 promote confidence among the masses
as 10 our electoral methods; and that
would in some practical way, minimize
Intimidation and fraud. I have. certainly,
no hone that any plan will be devised
that will completely satisfy and silence all
political parties II, in accordance with
| the popularly accepted theory or the
| ,t9u,es We must remain committed In
Virginia to a secret ballot. winning
nartv cannot hope 20 escape the charge OF
| fraud. The essentials OF this method In
volve the careful elimination Of every
| possible device for tracing the career or a
ballot from the voter 10 the count me
foundation IS thus laid for suspicion, and
those whose duty brings them in touch
with the conduct OF elections must often
accent charges II is not easy 10 disprove.
..T,bat the cry OF fraud is often made as
I
II affords a handy and convenient ex-
planation for defeat, and often an effec-
tive slogan for rallying defeated forces
for renewal Of the tight. But, az best,
under the secret ballot system. the man
agement. control and count must always
no entrusted 10 individual honesty or
venality.
A BID FOR BRIBERY.
ION the other hand experience Demon
strates that an open ballot IS bid TOT
bribery intimidation and other debauch-
inc Influences. Certainly when votes,
bouebt for a price or wrung by intimida-
tion from the voter. must be delivered UNI
der the eve the honesty and liberty OF the
| ballot-hox have been hOpeiessly struck
down. There are too many communities
I'm these DAYS Of universal suffrage In
which the electoral balance lies az the
mercy Of money, and business or political
domination.
1T IS easier. then. 10 find fault with
any system Of electoral laws than 10 rem
edv the evils The attempt Is beset with
many and peculiar difficulties While 81
must take into due account the manipu-
Iations Of political tricksters and other
dominating Influences. consideration must
always be had for the weakness. ignor-
ance. and venality Of a large class or
voters not burdened with any sense Of
responsibility 70 the public welfare. There
Is a tendency 70 overlook this phase Of
the difficulty IN the attempt TO provide
q popular ballot law.
THE POLITICAL HELLER.
1.-THE political heller is not willing -
be cheated Of his prey. And vet. in any
community where this class may chance
TO hold the balance Of electoral power.
popular government must sooner or
| later become q failure and n reprOach.
The wisdom Of our fathers. in LAYING down
the lines Of orr republican government.
| embraced the fundamental theory Of its
domination by patriotism and intelligence.
the best Of electoral fitness. Their pres
cience did not reach forward 10 the em-
barrassing conditions Of these later DAYS.
ITO what. then will the continued polit-
zeal agitation OF this question lead? II u
IS impossible 10 fashion any system Of
electoral law that will stop the cry OF
fraud. OF. II ignorance and viciousness
are to hold and WELD the balance OF
| power We are confronting a grave and
serious problem. one more worthy Of
the wisdom Of the statesman than the
manipulation Of the partisan politician 7
have no doubt the logic Of the situation
Is already drifting public sentiment back
ward in the direction OF the old land
marks. and 10 some sort Of restriction Of
not so much the result Of mere party
currents as Of high patriotic sense OF
responsibility 70 the public welfare"
WILLIAM p. BARKSDALE.
William p Barksdale Halifax county:
IT am IN favor Of honest elections and
believe our election laws should he
above suspicion and our election officers
above reproach.. Under the present law,
as operated by Democratic officials, me
Republicans have twice carried the coun-
" OF Halifax and the elections thereun-
der have undoubtedly been conducted in
an absolutely fair and impartial manner.
but IL elected I should favor any amend
ment or substitute rendering IL impossible
10 have any but absolutely clean. fair
and impartial elections in Virginia
DIR. QUISENBERRY
DR.. William d. Quisenberry. Caroline
county. refers to his card announcing
himself as a candidate.
Il desire 10 say. however. that II elect
ed. shall try 10 secure the repeal OF the
present election law and get in its place
a law that will be fair 70 all voters-en-
aiding them 20 vote as they wish and
have their votes counted as cast.
Il favor a general road law, under
which we can have better roads. / favor
the most rigid economy in the expendi-
ture Of public money and such reforms
70. "a