The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-14
THE MARYLAND ELECTION LAW.

I'm his message TO the Legislature the
other day, Governor Lowndes of Mary
land. had this to say about the election
laws
BY the enactment OF the election law
Of 1896. there was placed upon the statute
books of Maryland for the first time. q
law which experience shows 10 be emil
nentlv fair and satisfactory. Under the
provisions OF this act due opportunity -
given Tor every eligible citizen TO exercise
the free right of suffrage. and votes nom
estlv cast are honestly counted
The results of the two elections held
under the provisions Of the new law have
been accepted by the people OF the state
rs the true expression of the will of the
majority of the voters.
70 the general system created by the
act | have no amendments to offer but
many valuable suggestions for the cor
rcction OF some defects, and conflicting
provisions have been received from
supervisors of elections. When formn-
lated. these recommendations Will be
submitted for your consideration.
The use of money at elections IN this
State has in recent years grown TO such
proportions as to call for most serious
consideration. corruption al the baI-
lot-bax. the very fountain-head of all free
institutions is one Of the greatest dan
gers To which our state can he exposed.
The crime Of bribery is one which expo
riencc has shown TO be most difficult TO
detect and punish. Notwithstanding
the earnest efforts made by careful legis-
lators i'm other states. no satisfactory
remedy for the unlawful use of money
at elections has been devised.
The present law ought To be amended
so as TO include every species OF bribery.
But II must be remembered that no law
however comprehensive or stringent in
its provisions Is self-cNccutlng' ana that
no enactment against bribery and cor
rupthn OF voters can be made ehectlve
until public sentiment cO-Operatos with
the judiciary in It's enforcement.
From all that we can learn it is con-
coded by the members Of all parties in
MARYLAND that under the present law
elections I'm that state are entirely fair
and honest. so far as polling the vote
and making the count are concerned.
The only trouble now seems TO be the
use Of money. and. as we have already
mentioned i'm these columns. bin will
be submitted TO the Legislature TO cor
rect that evil
Governor Tyler. i'm his message to the
Virginia Legislature had much to say
about bribery. which he most properly
condemned. but he had little TO say about
periured officers bailot-boX stufng and
false returns We do hope that the Gov
ernor will not remain silent on this sub
iect Surely he cannot say as Governor
I.owndes. Of Maryland has said. that
under the provisions Of the Virginia cleo
ton law due opportunity is given for
every eligible citizen to exercise the free
right Of suffrage and that the votes are
in all instances honestly cast and hon
estly counted.
Bribery is not, as some have said, the
root Of the evil in Virginia. The root
Of the evil in Virginia is found in dis
honest methods of election officers. Give
ms an honest ballot and a correct count.
and it will be a very simple matter to
eliminate the bribery evil
Governor Lowndcs well says that no
law however rigid. can be enforced. UNI
less it is sustained by public sentiment.
The Times has been working on public
sentiment in Virginia for years past and
We are encouraged to believe that the
ruling sentiment in this state now is I'm
favor Of honest elections.