The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-10

allel columns, with a party designation
over the head of the column. This is
for the benefit of those who cannot
read, or those who wish to vote the
straight ticket of the party, and is a
good provision.
In New York the elector uses a pencil
tomark his ballot, but Judge DAILY points
out that the California official stamp
is a much better device, because it Sc
cures uniformity, removes doubt as to
the intention of a voter, since he who
uses a. pencil often marks indifferently.
In New York, says Judge DAILY. ballots
have been challenged because in mark
ing with pencil at the head of
ticket for straight voting one stroke
was heavy and the other light. But
with the rubber stamp such techni-
cality cannot be interposed.
The Judge discusses at length the
able because in New York they do not
have the admirable Identification sys-
TEN provided for in the California law.
Thus he urges that an envelope be fur
nished each voter, in which ne may
inclose his ballot when voting at
primary election, where the law pro-
vides that each party may have dis
tinct ballot.
we in California should take three or
four days to count the ballots. His
surprise may grow to amazement when
he is informed that sometimes the
count extends a full week He init
mates to US very plainly that the
single column system is far more con-
sentative Of rapidity of counting than
the system we have of massing all
nominees for each office in groups. We
agree with the jurist on that point,
and have frequently urged amendment
of our law in that respect.
The Judge is altogether wrong, how
should be permitted to cast ballot
that he has prepared at home, where
he can deliberate and mark and make
his will manifest freely. The adoption
of such a rule would take the very
heart and life out Of the reform ballot
system Uniformity of the ballot, i'm
possibility of substitution and the de-
tachable marginal number identifi-
cation system are the highest virtues
of our method. They protect the voter
from intimidation. They render "the
delivery of goods all but impossible,
because there can be no sufficient evil
dence of a corrupt bargain being car
ried out, save in the case Of illiterate
and incapacitated voters.
Judge DAILY finds some virtue in the
paster system, which we wholly reject
in California, and wisely so. The voter
who is able to avoid confusion by using
a paster can just as well stamp or
write upon his ballot intelligently.
What is needed in the California sys-
tenn, if we do not adopt the voting
machine, may be thus summarized,
and we trust that the present Legis-
lature will make the changes: "a The
single or party column, with party des-
ignation at the head. CD Requirement
that the election officials shall be quail
fed by certain high intellectual and
clerical requirements. 90 That the re-
suit of the poll in each precinct shall
be officially signed and securely posted
in the open at each polling place i'm
mediately upon the conclusion Of the
count.
1t might not be unwise to further
provide that at general elections the
count should be made by distinct
counting board, from the time when
100 ballots have been cast. The cost
for this need not exceed present cost,
since with portion OF the Election
Board engaged in counting, there
would not be necessity for so large a
force to be on duty within the polling
rails That is to say, where the count
is to proceed during the voting there
is no need to increase the clerical force,
since the time is shortened and late
hour work is most eliminated. OF
course, If machines are adopted the
whole counting problem will be elm
mated.