Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-28

that leads up to r%ecounts and contests
which create great difficulties in max
ing up returns, particularly where men
holding Office perform this duty and
disregard everything but party inter-
est. Designing men and politicians
under the present law can easily turn
aside the will of the people and sub
| Stitute their view and sentiments
therefor. The law should be so framed
that such injustice could not be accom-
plished.
The Australian ballot system is all
right, and it's general features are
good, but it needs additional details,
safeguards, to make it effective
against the clans who would prosti-
tute it for political purposes. Every
good citizen desires a fair election,
and when that is had he is satisfied.
We therefore desire to point out some
Of the difficulties and propose the rem
edy. Every election board should
have two men, honorable and upright
citizens, to act as judges Of election,
at each voting place. They should be
taken from the two parties casting the
largest vote at the previous State
election. There should be two clerks
and two Overseers selected in the same
way. The duties Of the overseers shall
be to assist voters needing help in the
booths, keep the booChs and all ma
terial in proper shape for use of
voters. Nothing but indellable pencils
should be used in making out tickets
as they do net blot or blur the tickets
in folding. We think the scrolling or
marking through the ticket should be
stepped and the ticket marked with
a cross at the top, with a stamp that
the persons wishes to vote, in a ring
prepared for the purpose. The names
on each ticket should be printed so
as to admit of a ring opposite each
lame and if the voter desires to vote
for sOme person On a ticket he is not
voting, he can designate his choice by
marking 4 cross il the ring opposite
the name he desires to vote and the
name SO marked shall be counted for
the Office he is a candidate for. This
can be done easily and quickly and
stops the mistakes in writing of
names that create so much difficulty
in making up returns. Look at the
trouble in Taylor and Monroe coun-
ties, also in Marshall, over the election
Of q commissioner, where ballot after
ballot was discarded because the
names were misspelled, and because
the names were not written in the
proper place. Such work is ridiculous
as it d~isfranchises a legal voter. This
must be stopped, as it substitutes the
will Of designing politicians fer that
OF the voter. Every man OF the tally
sheets should be numbered and q cor
responding number placed on the bal
lot voted, the object of this is to find
a ballot voted by an Illegal voter and
how he voted, where such votes would
change a. election. If the system in
vogue now is to be retained, make
this change in the law, and you can
digest every vote questioned and find
the intention Of the voter by summan-
ing him before the canvassing board
and permitting him to declare for
whom he intended the vote cast. This
is far better than TO have three or
| four men determine the matter, who
are only interested for political self
interest, and the ballot is just as secret
as for overseers or clerks to aid in
making out the ticket of some man
needing help. The c~anvassing board
car be sworn to secrecy if required,
the same as the clerks now are. Penn
sylVania has had this law many years
and it has always worked well.
| Every voter should be required to live
GO days in the district and 50 days in the
precinct in which he votes preceding the
election and be a resident of the State
Y months n the county four months.
The present law says he must be a bona
ide resident of the district in which he
votes, co days in the county and in the
State Il months. This is too broad. A
man under the present law can swear in
his vote by conforming to a certain. oath.
This should be eliminated. amman can
come from any place the day before the
election and swear he has resided in the
county and State the proper time, and he
can vote. The next day he is gone and
that ends it. TramDs, foreigners and
professional voters in the hands of design
ing men control our elections with this
class of men, and it has become a men
ace to the welfare Of our State, and Will
| cause serious trouble if not removed and
our elections purified by wedding out the
provisions of the law that permit such
unlawful proceedings. AS the law now is,
a man can reside in Ohio or Pennsylvania
and claim his citizenship in any district.
and vote. Our plan makes him a bona
fde resident by having him actually live
in the district 60 days and in the precinct
! % days in which he votes preceding the
election. A single young man having a
father or mother living the proper time
in a district and precinct should be per-
mitted to come home and vote. Every
voter should be able to show, by at least
| two residents of the district and precinct,
If required TO do so by any voter, that he
has resided the proper time in the dis
trict and precinct to obtain a vote. and.
unless he can do so, he should be debarred
from voting.
Every man hould pay a State and
| county tax at least within TWO years be-
fore voting where he claims residence. He
should nave that proof with him at the
polls for use if required. The reason for
this is evident to every one who will
think over it a moment. Tramps and for
eigners do not pay taxes and this is a
great check on such voters. Bonaide res
idents pay taxes and are forced to do so.
When a man offers his vote and is chal-
leuged, or considered by either judge Of
election to be Illegal. and they cannot
| agree upon its legality. 1t should be
placed in an envelope and sealed up and
delivered. when the ballots are delivered,
to a returning board, composed of four
men, two from each party casting the
largest number of votes at the last cleo
ton for State officers, who shall meet at
the third day after the election, at the