The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-12-02

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politicians and a few partisan news
papers. 1t is. based mainly upon
some of the discrepancies shown In
the total vote given for various candi-
dates upon the ticket. The total
number of votes cast for candidates
for different Offices, grew less as the
voters proceeded down the ticket,
the gubernatorial candidates polling
the highest number OF votes. 1t
seems unfortunate that this Is so,
but we do not see where any one is
to blame but the voter himself. and
if he neglects to put cross opposite
a candidate for such office named, we
fail to see how it is going to be reme-
died, except by better education along
this line among the voters them
selves. While the number Of votes
cast might be increased by the use OF
the blanket ballot, more healthy
state of affairs in the body polite is
not going to be obtained to any great
extent, but rather more unhealthy
state. The present ballot prompts an
increasing intelligence on the part of
the voters as a whole. The use OF
the blanket ballot does not. 1t does
not take any great amount OF intel
ligence to walk into the polls and
place cross in circle over certain
ticket. In this case every man there
on, good, bad or Indifferent, receives
a vote. And even where man is
perfectly familiar as to how ballot
should be marked, his desire to save
time and trouble would lead him
many times TO vote the ticket straight
where it could be done with single
cross, to placing one opposite the
candidate for each Office, for the pur-
pose of voting against some one man
whom he may feel is not fitted for
the position named. A blanket bal
lot simply makes it easier for unfit
men, who may be able to manipulate
affairs in their party convention, to
get into Office. 1t was tried once in
this state and proved most unsatis-
factory, so unsatisfactory in fact,
that it was promptly abandoned at
the next session of the legislature.
II the present ballot can be improved
upon it should be done, but the sub
stitution of the blanket ballot is
deterioration, not advancement.
The Chicago Times Heaald in com.
menting upon this same subject, says
the one defect of the Australian bal
lot under the blanket style, is the
circle at the head of the ticket, and
declares it is the one surviving en-
blem of machine politics and party
bossism." That it is really conces-
sion to party bosses. 1t then goes on
to say, that "a good many yellow
dogs have been dragged into Office in
Illinois under the circle. 1t not only
favors yellow candidates, but it con-
fuses the independent voter who will
not be led by party bosses, 1t dis
franchises many intelligent voters,
because it is only the intelligent, con-
scientious citizen who scratches his
ticket, and hence he is the only one
who runs the risk of making mis-
take"
The trouble in this state is not
with the ballot. 1t is not so compli-
Gated for the voter who wishes to
exercise his judgment and indepen-
dence. as the blanket ballot would.
1t demands more intelligence than
the blanket ballot does to simply take
up straight ballot and depositing it
in the ballot box, as was done under
the old system of voting, or more than
it takes to simply make cross in a
circle over ticket, but the remedy
should be in the direction of educat-
Ing the voter, not in deterioating the
ballot. The public service by this
latter movement is sure to suffer-
Therefore, it is hoped, that nothing
in this direction will be attempted by
the legislature this winter.