The Newtown bee., 1897-04-23

lawful for any person to print on the pay envelopes any matter to prejudice the vo- ter, Representative NJ. F. Houlihan spoke as follows: MT Speaker-I desire to speak in support of this bill, notwith- standing it was unfavorably reported by the committee. The report of the com mittee gives no reason for the rejection of this salutary measure in the line of ballot reform. It could not be because it was not ably advocated in committee hearings, for it had the able advocacy of the accredited representative of organiZ ed labor in this state, MT T. M. Crowley who represents the Federation of Labor, with membership of over 5000 intelli- gent mechanics of Connecticut. It would not have been unfavorably acted upon because of strong opposition to the pro- posed law. No manufacturer or other employer of labor appeared before the committee in opposition to the measure. No representative of a town or senatoria district spoke against the bill, and no representative of corporate interest ap- peared to oppose it under the stimulus of fee, or otherwise.
 The proposed measure originated with and has the endorsement of the largest, most intelligent and most influential di- vision of the grand army of labor, the Federation of American labor, with a membership of 5000 independent voters in our state. It has also the endorse ment of intelligent mechanics outside the ranks of organized labor, who daily toll in the workshop, factories and mills They read the daily papers and they are watching this general assembly with jeal- ous eyes. They tell us that at the united call of organized labor in 1889 the geneI- al assembly passed the secret ballot act It gave general satisfaction, although crude in it's first shape. It was capable of amendment and improvement, and had in 1t the germ of good government. IL has been improved upon from time to time until now 1t has made pure elections possible despite the professional polite, ian and manipulator of parties. The se- cret ballot of today represents 8 free mans choice in so far as the casting of the ballot can insure that freedom of choice. The toilers in the factories, the mechanics of all trades and the humber workers of the unskilled trades thank the men-the lawmakers of 1889, for this be. nificent ballot refoI m law, and will hold them in grateful remembrance forever. But "eternal vigilance Is the price o1 liberty" and so they ask us, the legisla. ture of 1897, to go step farther. They say you have protected our free choice on the day of election at the moment of casting the ballot and after it has been cast. You have shielded us alike from the anger of politicians and the machin ations of the bosses. But you should shield us from the intimidation by impli cation before the battle of the ballots You should not permit any man to prey on the convictions of his weak kneed em ploye, by an implied threat of discharge blacklistipg, or loss of favor with his em ployer if certain course is not pursued You should forever banish the political mailed hand from American politics SC far as this assembly can do it. We "must not trust the Greeks, though they come bearing gifts"
 You should abolish the guerilla war fare among parties which this innovation of political devices on pay envelopes in vites. You should deprecate the intro ductiOn of this stilleto-thrust in the darl l of ho fu of oloatfnnu Won stamp out forever this attempt of caba in some dark room to introduce the Eu ropean ukase among free American vot ers. A vote gained by this un-Americsl method of intimidation for any party is vote that will be curse to it yet. It i only step from an intimidated voter t, a venal voter. A venal voter Is a COT rupt voter! And remember venality an, corruption have been the executioners o republics. God defend our republic!
 Pass this bill and you make every man vote absolutely his own. Pass this bi and you extend the benefits of the secre ballot law, and amplify the principles c ballot reform. Pass this bill and 70 extend the principle of American fai play and throttle the assassins who woul
 destroy it. Pass this bill and you harr
 no corporate or private interest, and 70 satisfy 5000 petitioners, irrespective (
 party, who at great expense to then
 selves maintain representative hare these hard times to see that this bill pr,
 posed by them gets recognition. It
 not class bill for it's provisions apply
 all. It is bill calculated to give ever
 voter in Connecticut full measure of ii erty of choice in exercising the franchiI - at all times, before and after the ac
 without fear or favor of any man. AT
 they ask that you pass it.