The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-26
KEAT0R BALLOT
BILL Is In SIGHT
An Effort VIII Be Made 10 Amend the
Baker Ballot Law.
FEATURES OF THE NEW MEASURE
will Provide for Fair and Full OPP
portusity TO Every Eiector to Ex-
press His Choice--An Important
Bill Placed on the Caiendar--An
: on Week in Legislative Circles.

Harrisburg, Pa, April 25.-The Keat-
or ballot reform bill will be taken up
by the house next Thursday for Sec
ond reading. 1t was reached last week
and postponed by Mr.. Keator. owing
to the absence Of many members. The
measure embodies the amendments to
the Baker act recommended by the
Pennsylvania ballot reform associa-
tion. It introduces the Australian sys-
TEN and changes the present disability
clause. Names of candidates with
their political appellation are ar
ranged under the title of office, ex-
cept in the case OF presidential cleo
tors. which are grouped. The candi-
dates name may appear on the bal
lot only once, thus doing away with
the cumbersome confusing and mis-
leading custom of placing the name of
the candidate in several places. This
will reduce the ballot to about one
sixth the present size. After the names
appear all the political titles of the
candidates. Blank spaces are left for
written names, and these require no
cross mark to be made after every
other name voted for. Under the pro-
posed law a voter who claims disabil-
ity to mark his ballot must swear to
his disability. The one who assists
must also make oath not to attempt
to influence the vote or disclose the
voters ballot, except in judicial pro-
ceedings. This is a great simplifica-
ton OF the system of voting. Mr.
Keator has had printed for illustra-
tion a sample ballot as II will appear
II the bill becomes a law. A number
OF other ballot measures are pending,
but none has reached the stage OF the
Keator bill
Clinton Rogers woodruff the muni-
cipal reform leader in the house. is CO.
operating with Mr.. Keator in urging
the passage of his measure.
THE amendments will not interfere
with any of the good features of the
Baker law of 1898" MIR. Woodruff said,
but will provide for a fair and full
opportunity for every elector to express
his choice. The bill is just and equit-
able both to the voter and to the can
didates The present law is unjust
in that it discriminates against a class
of voters in favor of another. Like
the civil service bill. 1t seems that, ex-
cept for some politicians whose bust
ness may be interfered with. all classes
are interested in having the measure
become law"
ADVOCATED BY THE BAR.
The legislation advocated by the
Pennsylvania Bar Association at its
annual meeting last summer at Bed
ford is still on the calendar. The Simp-
son bill regulating the practice in the
hac hn
and has been brought out of the sen.
ate judicial general committee and read
the first time. Its object is to make
identical the practice in the higher ap
pellate courts.
Another bill is that creating a com.
mission to review and keep within con.
stitutional limits all bills introduced In
the legislature. This measure was de
feated month ago on second reading
and later put back on the calendar.
This will be an off week in legislativ,
circles. The senate has taken a re
cess until Wednesday evening and tn,
Louise until Wednesday afternoon t,
allow the members to attend the un
yelling of the Grant monument mex
Tuesday in New York.
Ellis limiting the expense of candi
anu poli'lCdi WeetlnBSI maklnt
eight hours legal days work fo
mechanics, workingmen and laborer
IN the employ OF state and municipa
corporations and on public works. ar
among those on the house calendar 70
secor d reading, but will not be reache,
this week
NN"re are several important senat
pllls In the house awaiting third read
the appointment of warden and mat
ron OF prisons in counties of q popula
tion Of 100000 or over.