The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-08-09

publican TiC!s".. Which Gives a
Death Blow TO Legislative Fusion
on the United states scnntornhip.
Especial Correspondence
Philadelphia, July 3l.-Ball0t reform
may he one of the important state is
sues in the coming campaign. There
is reason to believe, however, that this
may he eliminated from the partisan
contest, If the leaders of the different
elements continue to express senti-
ments in accord with those uttered
within the last few days. Col. Quay, in
a recent public declaration, went on
record in favor of the most sweeping
reforms in the matter of a secret ballot
and an absolutely fair return of the
votes cast, and he also advocated per-
sonal registration of voters. He gave
1t as his opinion tnat these reforms
time by the calling Of a non partisan
convention, which would amend the
present constitution so as to permit the
requisite legislation to be passed before
the adjournment of the next legisla-
ture. 1t would he necessary for the
Legislature which conveues in January
next to pass an act providing for the
immediate calling of constitutional
convention. Such a convention being
held without delay would permit of the
introduction of such bills in the gen.
eral assembly as would be required to
carry out the purposes of the trainers
of the constitution.
GOVERNOR BLACKS ATTITUDE.
1t was. therefore. noteworthy that
last week former Lieutenant Governor
Chauncev +. Black. one of the most
respected and distinguished members
of the Democratic party in this state
came out boldly in favor of the holding
of a convention TO revise the constitu-
tion in order to reform the voting sys-
TEN of the commonwealth.
In a carefully prepared statement for
publication he gave the objections to
following the antiQuated method OF
leaving this problem of ballot reform
to be solved by the state Legislature un-
der the existing constitution. He re-
ferred to the fact that John Wana
maker. in at least two of his public
speeches, advocated this convention
idea as the only plan by which ballot
reform could be obtained. and he re-
ferred at some length TO the failures
of the past. declaring that the ballot
law now in force in this state is a
fraud, and then recounted the abuses
that have grown up under the present
system.
Governor Black then pointed to dec.
larations from John Wanamaksr In
November. 1899, and again in March.
1900, on the subject of ballot reform
and quoted him rs having said on the
last occasion mentioned:
81, therefore, address myself to the
people of Pennsylvania to all qualified
electors without distinction of party,
whose lives, liberties and property lie
today at the mercy of irresponsible po-
ltical machines and their powerful
secret and corrupt allies, and ask them
to unite in the nomination and election
of candidates for the legislature
pledged to vote for fair, non-partisan
act calling a constitutional convention
for immediate ballot reform. the sub
stance and essential provisions of
which shall be embodied in the funda-
mental law beyond the reach Of eorpor-
ate or machine power"
QUOTES COLONEL QUAY.
Continuing, Governor Black said:
"And now comes Mr.. Quay, the ac-
cepted chief of the regular Republican
party, not only with candid admission
Of the scandalous state of affairs and
the universal demand for a change, but
with a carefully devised and specific
program for a constitutional conven-
ton as the only means of certain and
immediate relief. He declares that the
legislature. under the present consti-
tuition, has no power to pass personal
registration law for the cities or to pro-
vide a secret ballot, while any voter
may take another into the booth to at
toat hia tirkat. thaf tho nAndinR