Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-08

be given representation on the precinct
election boards, and that no more than two
members OF any one political organization
be made judges In any election precinct
Tho representatives OF no one political or
ganization should have entire control OF
any election booth, and where competent
men representing different political parties
can be secured the result must be more
satisfactory to all concerned.
believe this matter might be satisfac-
torily arranged by vesting the power OF
naming the judges and clerks OF election In
the county clerks or boards Of county com
missioners land the mayors OF cities OF the
first and second classes) restricting them to
a choice from lists furnished by the chair
men of the county Tor city) committees OF
the various political parties. Provision
could be made allowing at least one repre-
sentative on the election board to each po-
litical party receiving a certain per cent oil
the votes cast at the last general election held
In the state, and providing that, in no event,
should any one party have to exceed two
judges and one clerk on any election
board.
In order to secure free and untram-
meled ballot for every elector steps should
be taken to prevent coercion, intimidation
and undue Influence on the part Of the en-
ployers. Every citizen, whatever may be
his station in life, should have every protec-
tion thrown around him in the exercise Of
his citizenship. Other states have seen fit
to enact very stringent legislation to prevent
undue influence on the voter by his employer.
AS an instance, the laws of Indiana provide
that whoever. for the purpose of influencing
a voter, threatens to enforce the payment
of a debt. to injure the business or trade
OF an elector, or, IL an employer threatens
to withhold wages or dismiss from service
any laborer in his employment or refuses
to allow employees time to attend the place
of election and vote shall be fined not more
than 81 900 nor less than $40; Imprisonment
in the state prison not more than five years,
nor less than one year, and be disfranchised
and rendered incapable of holding an office
! of trust or profit for any determinate period.
| The enactment and strict enforcement of any
| such provision in the election laws of Ne
| braska would lessen the intimidation of voters
and give encouragement to free expression
of the will of the people at the polls. Pro-
visions should also be made directing all
employers to allow each voter sufficient time
on election day to deposit his ballot.
USE OF PASSES IN CAMPAIGNS.
Some action might very properly be taken
| to discourage discrimination between polit-
ical parties by railroad corporations operat-
! ing within the state. The issuance of passes
| to an army of political workers and the
| giving of special rates for the political
meetings make the railroad companies a
power in shaping the political destiny of the
state. Where this power is all welded in
the interest Of one party and to the prejudice
| of another party, its weight cannot well
be overestimated. Railroad companies do
| the business OF the pubic ana SnOuld De
| restrained by wholesome legislation from
active participation in party politics. The
| officers and employees of such railroad COM
| panies should be free to vote as may seem
| to them for thr own best interests Charges
| of fraudulent registration in the larger
! cities of the state have been frequently
made and | would suggest the advisability
of having the last day of registration at least
ten days prior to election day in order that
the complete list of voters may be scrutinized
by all inquiring citizens and ample time
| be afforded for the apprehension of those
who fraudulently register.
1t is obvious that one OF the chief source:
OF corruption in elections Is the use of money
| in providing means or hiring the voter to &c
to the polls and vote, by this means placing
him under obligation and thus unduly in
nuChcing his vote, or to hire the voter Il
stay away from the polls, thereby causing
him to neglect his duty as citizen.
In order to encourage and stimulate the
free and honest exercise of the elective
franchise 1t has occurred to me that 1t nigh
serve a good purpose were a non-votiug pol
tax of reasonable amount levied against eacl
elector who may relieve himself by voting a
the general election. or by producing
certificate Of sickness or disability or of alb
sence from the state. Such provision nigh
incidentally be made source of revenue Il
the state and the burden fall upon a class o
citizens who fail to discharge a very i'm
poTtant duty devolving upon every qualified
citizen. ! suggest this idea to you for you
consideration.
| | hope that you will take the nececsar,
steps for the remedying of defects in ou
election laws with a view to giving ever,
possible opportunity for a free and fair ex
preston of the will of the people at thu
| polls