New-York tribune., 1900-10-29
DANGERS TO THE BALLOT.
DR. HILLS INDICATES THAT HE FAvoRs
INTELLECTUAL QUALIFICATION
FOR SUFFRAGE

Patriotism: It's Grounds Obligations and
Duties" was the subject OF political address de-
Hvered n Plymouth Church, Brooklyn. last night
Z was before the Young Mems Club. Dr. Newell
Dwight Kills indicated that he was IN favor Of
some intellectual qualification for the right OF
suffrage. He saw II the manipulation OF vast
bodies Of ignorant voters the peril Of the country
that Il would allow corrupt 70 place 'thelr
owl" power. One OF the battles OF the future
he said. would be with those who use money 10
corrupt public officials. Machine rule ana inolI-
ference among the better classes were, ne said
some OF the periIs. II part Dr.. Hills spoke as
follows:
Ignorance and weakness are the primary dan dan
gers threatening the American ballot Confesseo-y
snance are questions for experts Their solution
asks not for the study OF an hour, but the stuoy
q years Were men trying to choose between
dynanite and gunpowder as possible methoGs s11 %
house. Ie problem might vel be left 10 L1ls3oE'ty
vote of the 6esLruclioEists. but The question oL
rearing noble structure IN soft ground asks -oF
since Doitcs Is the science of increasing the
happiness and promoting the comfort ana hlghess
these great problems TO its thinkers and scholars
49, S-sresr7er Wise CITIZENS rave written laws.
fashioned tools invented institutions but ignorance
sE-res nation Ike 2estilencs. wastes Ike hre,
Webster. no Lincoln, ever had % make MS
mark There has never been an tlA-eTate slates-
uan q sage or seer TO give tnroDolng e@ngLne @
into Tie hands q al tne1pert c1ild IS & cTlI1e-
Nor can il ever be right for the state 70 give Us
political tools over 20 youth stupid and idteTate
through ne Stace's neglect CONSTITUTIONS may
STATE 70 expeI gravity from me universe than 70
give weakness ignorance and vice ths right 70 60
Up 70 The Judgment seat and through the ballot
determine The destiny Ci nulIttudes-
Scholars 1nd grave peril II The appeal maze
bv the popular vote 10 the cupidiry and ambition
q 5eruzEoEues- TIE tine e come when the
control u zuy large CRY State Involves an eX-
peudiuUre OF many millions OF dollars Assess
Iae1ts are 70 D levied. collected. contracts
lei fo- street ard various public buildings ana
institutions Thus The administration touches com
Eusrce OF many SIDES 10 O1er a CONTINUOUS
aupss1 70 cIpi61ry. The pressure o. our arTnOS-
phere is 50 evenly divided as 70 conceal its eEor-
NOUS power and The pressure Of large corporaCo-s
upon public officials is almost equally powerful
Many there are who have entered PUBIC NE pure
and unspJtted. but through the temptation rom
within md bribes from without have ended their
careers as 6era goEues.
During rhe sessions of Councils and Legislatures
nor day passes 5ur some great corporation comes
knocking the door 70 lobby II TIE interests OF
some special privilege from city or state When
The legislator Is unwilling grant Il the lobbyist
6nds Il necessary. he expresses It TO pay the
legislator for doing right" Some % these cor
porations represent millions Il ls given 20 them
warp laws corrupt rulers and spo- the people.
One 0f The battles Of the future Is 70 De with those
who use money 70 corrupt public ofncials
50 -role-able has party rule become OF late that
not tUfrEQusETly the machine succeeds II pracLi-
caIy 6istranchIstug large body OF intelligent and
patriotic citizens One year II certain com
Tuuli-v The machine representing party, nOTnt-
mated criminal while the clique representing The
other party nominated e feebliuE. Finding Il in
possible vote for either candidate without loss
Of se-f-respsc-, Che business c-zels 1ad no alter
native save 70 re-Use 70 FoLs al al
But when every other danger has been capitalized
lei hasten 70 confess that indifference and
neglect are psTtls that overshaGOW al other dan
institutions contend IS more sharnefulIy wicked.
The tendency Of or educated class is 70 remove
Of The city into me suburbs. where relief Is
found from al the Poluring problems OF politics