The record-union., 1899-01-18
FEATURES OF THE PROPOSED
NEW ELECTION LAW.

law in several important features. Its
complete action can only be determined
by careful comparison with existing
provisions. But some of the features
which are wholly new may now be con-
sidered.
The chief of these follows the line
so often and so long advocated by the
Record Union" Upon the adoption of
the first reform ballot law this paper
urged that the parallel column
system for nominations printed
upon the official ballot, should be
adopted. We were, however, overruled
IN that matter, but this journal has
never ceased to agitate for the system.
After all these years the inconveni-
erce and obstructive character Of the
present system of alphabetical arrange
ment, and the mixing of party nomina-
tions, is generally confessed. Mr.
Richards bill proposes very nearly the
system the "Record-Union" has con-
tended for. Practically it is the Indiana
and Iowa systems combined. 1t is pro-
vided that the party nominations shall
be printed upon the official ballot in
parallel columns under distinctive party
headings, with a column for indepen-
dent nominations and blank spaces
after the title Of each Office to be voted
upon wherein the elector may write the
name of any person he desires to vote
f,~, - L. - &,,l f>,-
not. There is also provision for blank
column in which the elector may write
an entire list of names.
It is also provided that at the head Of
the party nomination columns there shall
be printed party device, such as the
official body of the party may adopt and
file. If any party fails to so adopt a
device, the Secretary Of State shall
place distinctive device for the party.
II is with eminent propriety provided
fiat in adopting a party device, there
shall be no use made Of any religious
emblem, of the national flag, of the por-
trait of any person, nor representation
of any coin or Of the currency of the
United States, nor of the coat Of arms
or seal Of any State.
Provision appears to have been made
with much care for straight ticket vot-
ing by single stamp in the proper
place opposite or in the device at the
head of a party column. It is also pro-
vided that if one wishes after having
made straight voting stamp, to ex-
cept from the list of nominees in the
column one or more candidates named
and vote for others in other columns,
he can do so by stamping opposite their
names, and such names shall be counted
as voted for, and the candidates in the
straight vote for the same offices shall
De deemed not voted for.
There is a provision in the present
law and retained in the new bill applic-
able only to cities and counties contain
ing more than one hundred and fifty
thousand Notwithstanding San
Francisco-which it seems to US should
have wider application and be enforced
in all cities. since in all of them and the
larger towns there are subdivisions Of
political character for registration and
election purpose. 1t is provided that
In the larger city landlords and keepers
OF lodging houses or any premises
where dodgers abide, shall be kept list
OF the names Of all dodgers occupying
rooms or sleeping apartments or beds.
Ifef f,<
hursdredth day-changed in the new bill
to the one hundred and fiftieth-pre-
vfous to any election and entered up
daily. These lists must be open for in
spection by election boards and blank
lists for this purpose are to be fur
nished to landlords and keepers of such
premises for the purpose indicated
These lists are to show the name of the
lodger, the number of his room, the
story Of the building, the time of the be-
ginning of such registration of dodgers,
etc. And these lists are to be collected
daily by order of the Election Com
missioners.
Where there are no Election Commits
sioners such provision would be value
less of course, and hence if the section
is to be made, as it should, to apply out
side of San Francisco, 1t needs reforma-
ton. Besides, while the provision is
wisely intended, the purpose being to
check colonization and defeat attempts
ac unlawful registration and voting, it
is weak in not being so framed as to
cover cases where there is no landlord,
no visible keeper of lodging places, no
apparently responsible person in
charge. There are plenty of such in
stances. However it may be in San
Francisco, here, for instance, it is not
uncommon for loft or other odd place
to be fitted up with cots where repeat
ers and colonizing tools lodge with no
Landlord or proprietor in charge. and no
person to whom a penalty could be ap-
piled for failure to keep the list pre-
scribed.
There are numerous other changes
in the law made by the bill. For in
stance, whereas voters must be enrolled
upon the register under the law twen-
ty Ave days prior to an election, the bill
substitutes fifteen days. Whereas reg
istration must now begin at least one
hundred days before . general election,