The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-06-06
THE ISSUE RESTS V
WITH THE PEOPLE
The Question of the Introduction
of Expensive Voting Machines
in Pennsylvania.
FIRST BLOOD FOR THE CONTRACTORS

They VIII Vow Work to Carry Ou
Their scheme, the Initial Cost q
which Would he Nearly Two MIL
lions of Dollars to Experimen
with Their Special Apparatus.
Especial Correspondence)
Harrisburg, June 5.-A decision b,
the supreme court which will oblig
the secretary of the commonwealth I,
advertise the proposed amendments I,
the constitution is regarded as a grea
victory for the contractors who ar,
seeking to introduce the voting ma
chimes into Pennsylvania.
Governor Stone vetoed the action o
the last legislature in this matter upor
the ground of public economy and that
there was no popular demand for the
proposed innovation of voting ma
chimes in this state. The matter was
taken to the supreme court at the In
stance of the promoters of the voting
machines, and several members Of re-
form associations Joined in this issue,
and as well as that of the proposed
amendment to the constitution which
would abolish the provision requiring
uniform legislation upon the ballot
issue throughout the state. Under
cover Of the agitation over the cleo
tion frauds in Philadelphia and Allie
gheny, the lawyers for the voting ma
chine interests pushed their cases, and
have at last succeeded in getting de-
oision which nullifies the action OF
Governor Stone, who sought to block
the voting machine game with his veto.
LEAVE IT TO THE PEOPLE.
The leaders of the Republican organ
ization of the state have not taken any
positive stand upon this issue Of hav-
ing the proposed amendments 60 to a
vote Of the people. Before the suggest
ed amendments can come up to be
voted upon at the general election they
must be again voted upon by the state
legislature. Meanwhile the secretary
of the commonwealth must advertise
the proposed amendments in every
county of the state at cost of proba-
bly, $4,000. The nominees of the Re-
publican party for the legislature will
use their own judgment as to what at
titude to assume on the issue of the |
voting machines and the matter Of |
wiping out the constitutional proyi- |
sion requiring uniformity Of legislation |
the method of voting. They |
must learn the sentiment of their con-
stituents. In this latter contention an
effort is being made to require personal
registration of voters in certain Sec
tions OF the commonwealth. The great
issue, however, will be upon the pro-
posed introduction Of the voting ma
chimes. Samples of these machines
were shown here during the last ses-
sion of the legislature. when the pro-
moters Of the scheme had a strong lob
by on the Hin" working in their in
.erest among the members OF both
houses, II was then estimated that
he cost of each machine would be
'bout S235, and that as there are about
1000 voting precincts in Pennsylvania
he total cost for the mere introduce
ION of the machines would be over a
million and half dollars. This would
lot he counting the cost of repairs and
maintenance and storage between cleo
ions. The machines are very intri-
atc pieces OF mechanism and would
equlre first class machinists to keen
hem in order. Should one of them
et out OF order on election day the
Ihole scheme of election in that pre-
met would fail.
NO MACHINE HONESTY
Another argument against tn, rse or
Dung machines is that it IS conceded
nat no machine can make, men honest
mo are otherwise dispssed. The, ar.
angement of the machine for which,
us night is being made, requires tbe,l
otter to touch bgttons which record,l
'e names OF tAo, candidates for whom
ne citizen desires to vote. It is point
q out thas there would be nothing tn \
re'ene dishonest men to permit inn
etsohation OF voters In this push thel
luton scheme any more than th,r is
allow men to impersonate others, in
le casting of the ballots under, the
resent system. Il is quito. probabIe
la' me people will careriiiy weigh
le arguments pro and oon on thfst
latter or the Introduction, of the ma
lihcS beiore they Ultimately decide to
lVocate the expenditure of a million
nj a half dollars. upon an exneri-
.ental proposition. Should these pro-
Dsed amendments be approved nv tbe
nNt legislature they would then he
lpi,l'teo TO popSlar vote at the
eclloO to lie held IN November, 1901.
STALWAR'FSi NOMINATED. .
The nomination of Senator jacob C.
uneman ~ succeed himself was con-
lmmassd last week when the adher-
nts OF his district met at the Ameri-
an House, Hollidaysburg, and -unan-
nously placed him In the field as thel
-epuDllcan nominee. There were three
1nlerrees from each county in the dis
Ilct, George 7. Swank and Harry w.
llck, OF Johnstown, and s. w. Davis.
L Enensbdrg, representing Cambria
ounty. and J. II. Craig, of Altoona,
no !. /. Hartman and ]. Lee Plum
'er OF Hollidaysburg, were the Blair
ounty conferrees. Resolutions were
dopted cordially commencing Snator
'tlneman to the people for reelection.
ie is stalwart Republican, whose re-
iominatioD was demanded by a poular
.ote, 10 the great discontinue Of tho
Spnatnr Ctino,,o., -. |