The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-09
THE BALLOT BOX NEGLECTED..

TIE BALLOT BOX NEGLECTED.
In many Of the counties of the state
in perhaps majority of them-the bal
/ lot boxes We're practically neglected at
/ the election last week by the voters. We
understand why this was so. The Demo
/ Gratis were satisfied that in most Of the
/ counties the PopuHsts had virtually made
( up their minds 20 return to the Democratic
party. and that those Of them VINO still
chung to the Populist party We're taking
no interest in the election. Therefore they
concluded that there was no imperative
reason why they should take the trouble
to vote. In Bibb county. for instance.
there was a registration of $500 voters
a very small registration for that county
and 2lS votes poled. Such neglect of the
ballot box is inexcusable We do not
single out Bib county for any other rea-
son than that so many OF the voters were
close to the polls and could have voted
without making a special sacrifice Of time
to do so. As there was no crowd at the
polls there was nothing to prevent prompt
voting.
There are reasons for thinking that be-
sides the belief that the Democratic ticket
would be elected by a very large majority
there was altogether more apathy among
the Democrats than there should have
been. The people should bear in mind
that In connection with their right 10 vote
the selection of officials to make and ad-
minister the laws is not the only duty that
devolves upon them. It is their duty to
fill the offices with honest and competent
men
If voters become spathetic In respect to
their political duties and neglect the bal
lot box they are pretty certain in the
course of time 10 find themselves in the
grasp of political rings and corruptionists
When it is too late they find that bad
laws have been passed, that taxes have
been greatly increased and that the Of
fees are being used for the benefit Of
the few and 10 the disadvantage Of the
many. Il doesn't take long to reach that
condition Of affairs. but it takes a long
time for the people to get back the rights
which, by neglecting their political du-
ties, they permit political tricksters and
corrupt political rings to get possession Of
and use for their own benefit.
The men chosen by the Democratic
party of this state at the recent election
are in every respect worthy of the honor
which the people have conferred on them
but who can say that If the Democratic
voters neglect the ballot box honest
and capable men win always be chosen
to manage the affairs Of the state? Do
not the facts of the political history of al
most every community Of this country
show that where the people have become
apathetic in respect to their political du-
ties they have become the prey of design
ing politicians? independent and reform
parties are almost always the result of
corrupt government and dishonest officials.
Here in Georgia. since the Democrats
succeeded in getting control of affairs, the
people have been fortunate in keeping good
men in charge of the states affairs II
men of that kind are to be kept at the
front the voters must not neglect the bal
lot box-they must not let the impression
get fixed In the minds OF the designing
politicians that they are so apathetic in
respect to their political duties that they
don't care who is chosen Governor, who
are sent to the legislature, or who are
chosen TO administer the laws. And it is
all the more important that Democrats
should be especially Jealous in meeting
fully all their responsibilities as citizens
in future, because 1t looks very much as
If there would be but one political party
of any Importance for good while. The
Populist party is fast disintegrating. 1t
Is doubtful IL il ever dominates another
state ticket. The Democratic party will
! be responsible for the well being of the
state for a long time to come. Its mem
bers should see to 1t, therefore, that the
purest and most capable men are chosen
to manage the states affairs. They can
DO that in one way only, and that is by
discharging their political duties faith
fully. They cannot afford to neglect the
ballot box.