The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-05

/ As the Legislature of Kentucky is soon
TO be convened TO take action with respect
TO the election law it becomes a matter of
Importance to consider what change should
( be made in the present law. For more
( than a hundred years the old act was
/ found generally satisfactory. There were
/ complaints of occasional unfairness. but it
! is beyond the power of human ingenuity 10
devise a system which will ensure absolute
/ fairness in all cases. Human nature must
1 be reconstructed to accomplish this.
Under this law so long in force the cleo
I ton officers were appointed by the county
Judge. He was elected by The people, and
/ Of course, was member OF one of the po-
lltical parties; but as a rule, from the very
character of his duties, was less a parti-
san than other local officials. These du-
ties brought him into relations of intimacy
| with all classes of the community. He set
tied the accounts of executors. admins
traitors. guardians. and other iduciaries;
admitted Wills TO probate, appointed over
seers of roads. and had general supervision
OF the construction of roads and the licens-
! ing of ferries. Besides this. he is presi-
dent of the fiscal board known as the
/ County Levy Court. the other members be-
/ ing the Justices OF the peace Of the county
/ Being thus an administrative as well as
a judicial officer, and being especially
! charged with the business Of the county.
( he is more exempt from partisan bias in the
! performance OF his duties than are mere
| political officers. Indeed it is not an I'M
common thing for this official to be select
| ed on account of his honesty and integrity
I from the opponents of the predominating
/ party. In other cases, where he has ad-
ministered his office TO the satisfaction of
cessively reelected without opposition. II
is. in fact, business office rather than
political one, and it is of paramount i'm
portance that the incumbent retain the re-
spect and good will Of the people without
regard TO party. Besides exercising the
power OF appointing election officers, this
Judge, with two other county officers, for
merly constituted the County Board of
Contest
The law of 1898. known as the GoebeI
act. changed all this. Three election COM
missloners for each county appointed the
election officers. and these commissioners
we're appointed by a State board of three
| members. who We're selected by a vote OF
the Legislature. A modification Of this
law effeetual to satisfy its opponents will
| be an exceedingly difficult undertaking. An
| impression very generally prevails that the
law is not fair in its operation. II would
seem. therefore, at this distance. that, in
stead Of wrangllng over notifications and
| amendments. the most feasible and prac-
ticable solution of the problem would be
| the simple repeal Of the present law. Ieav-
| irg new legislation on the subject for fu-
ture consideration. after passions lately
\ engendered have subsidized.
With the safeguards furnished by the
old law the power vested In each party 10
designate inspectors authorized to witness
the opening Of the polls and the counting
OF the votes no Injustice would be suffered
by either party if proper vigilance we're
observed. No plausible pretext would then
remain for Directing 10 the returns OF Ken
tucky's vote. The law and usage which
| continuously prevailed since the admission
Of the State down TO 1ses would not pre-
sent 4 favorable target scr attack, while,