The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-12-28

HARRIsBURS, Dec 1s-Ballot reform
suggestions are leading feature Of the
biennial report Of David Martin, Secreta-
~ OF the Commonwealth, just submitted
70 Governor Hastings. Mr.. Martin sug-
gests that the Legislature should pass an
entirely new and complete ballot reform
bill. coverir z the whole subject. and en-
b dying the best results OF ballot reform
10 other States. He thinks the Massa-
chusetts law has much % commend it.
bat there are many places in which il
could be improved. He believes the Leg
islature should specifically define which
columns are entitled 70 the circles and
which are not, aud that such legislation
be enacted on this question as 10 remove
every obstacle ia the way Of the full
exercise Of the right Of suffrage. render
fraud impossible and provide simple
aud complete form Of ballot The Secre-
tary says the objection to duplication OF
columns on the ballot could be largely re-
moved by assembling all the candidates
tor each Office t. be filed in groups in
single column He thinks there should
be legislative declaration As to what
constitutes a political party entitled To
nominate State ticket TO appear on the
ballot in all the counties.
Mr.. Martin also recommends that GER
tifcates Of nomination should be fled
within 0days after the nominations have
been made, aud not less than A days
prior to the day Of election; that all elec.
tior hIapl-u ha r,-.s,arc.l - tha Co, af.,rr-
Of the Commonwealth. and that the use
OF any other forms be prohibited that
where more than one ceftihcate purport-
ing "a nominate different persons for the
same Office By the same party is present
Ell, the Secretary Of the Commonw ealth
/ be directed 70 file only the first paper
offered and If a second be presented, those
interested in it be compelled to apply for
a msndamus. aud that no certificate Of
nomination papers be received and filed
unless the written acceptance Ofthe can
didates thereby nominated is fled there
with.
The report shows that during the two
years ended December |, the department
received as fees fer letters patent and for
the hliug Of corporation papers, S6l 80.
and from commissions aud other miscel-
lsneous sources, SIS.3255I. There was
collected since the close OF the last session
OF the Legislature s1.0J6.9sl.T as bonus
upon charters and increases in capital
stock. There was falling OF in the cor
poration receipts of the department, aud
an increase in all other branches.
Mr. Martin recommends that steps be
taken to either reprint the laws Of 1874
or 10 provide for an edition of the eorpo-
ration laws of the State as they now exist
He recommends that after Legislative
bills are finally passed and amendments
made, a copy be printed on parchment
paper, signed by the presiding officers.
aud transmitted u the Governor. He
also suggests that if there were fewer de-
partment reports printed and the money
thus saved devoted to lsrger editions of
the pamphlet laws and SmulFs executive
handbook, the public demand for these
two publications could be satisfied and
the State incur DO additional expense.
Governor Hastings viii smbody the
most important Of Mr.. Martins recon-
mendations in his message 10 the next
Legislature.