Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-02-15
VOTING BY MACHINERY.

The Deseret News has drawn atten-
ton several times during the past de-
cade. to the benefits Of the voting ma
chine, which has been used with sue
cess at elections in some eastern cities.
Recently tests have been made which
demonstrate its superiority to the pres
ent system, even with the Australian
ballot which has been generally adopted
in the United States.
Experts who have acted as commit
tees By State and municipal appoint
ment, have given reports which testify
TO the accuracy, expedition and almost
lnfalllbillty OF the machine method OF
recording the votes cast for indiyid-
uals or party tickets, The following
win serve as sample; It is the con-
Guiding page OF long descriptive re-
port on the Bardwell Votometer:
In conclusion, the undersigned believe
that:
First. The machine Is, in their opin-
ion, adapted to register. under reason
able conditions, the vote of six hundred
t60O) voters within the hours allowed
by law for holding an election.
Second. The machine Is capable Of do
Ing this work accurately and efficiently.
Third. The machine may be safely
used for election purposes
Fourth. The machine Is strong in It's
parts and reliable in its action. II per-
mits the voter TO select or mechanically
ipItaata tha % uIfdufau fudftFf1nalfV in
groups. or in accordance with the party
ticket before voting and thereafter to
change his selection at will. The regis
tration Is accomplished by the voters
own action In turning a key. but the
voter In turning back the key for the
purpose OF making a correction, re-
turns the counter by his own action to
its former position. As the voter passes
out from the machine the Indicators
and all crosses (X) are returned TO their
former position, and are not visible. and
the machine Is also locked. The ma E
ne may be adjusted to limit the vot-
ing of females or other classified or
special voters.
Fifth. These conslusions are based
on the mechanical construction and ar
rangement OF details. and not on the
Letters Patent or claims contained
therein. Respectfully submitted
NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION
ON VOTING MACHINES
PHILIP 4. DODGE.
President Mergenthalcr Linotype 80,
ROBT. r. THURSTCiN,
Cornell University,
II. De B. PARSONS,
Mechanical Engineer,
Commissioners.
II seems almost impossible that q
machine Of any kind could do the work
claimed for the Votometer. But the re-
port mentioned accompanied with It.
Illustrations, shows that the key handed
to the voter on entering the machine
answers the purpose Of the pen or pen.
ell with which he would mark an Aus
trallan ballot. taking no more time
and recording his vote in such a way
that ne cannot repeat. He may vote az
entire party ticket by a single turn o
the key, or he may vote for any can
didate on either ticket, or may use th'
"optlonal Column" and vote for whom
he chooses. also "yes" or mo- upoT
any given proposition.
Provision is made for mistakes. which
can be rectlhed so that a wrong yot
can be turned back and obliterated
The bar which is lifted when the vote
enters cannot be moved until he passe
out and the exit bar resets the machine
locks and remains fixed until the mex
voter enters, who cannot gain aeces
to the machine until the previous vote