Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1901-11-21
The Election Law.

Now that the first feeling o! disappoint
ment over the result Of the late election, 10
cally, in the City of Baltimore and In the
State. has worn off, 1t Is possible to form
some intelligent views Of the new ballot and
OF the new election law.
In the first place we believe that the plan
of doing away with party emblems will DC
accepted by the people as step In the right
direction and that this particular feature OF
the ballot under the new law will probably
be permanently adopted. One Of the strong
est arguments in favor Of that form OF ballot
Is that It is calculated, in time, to bring about
a disposition to vote for individuals rather
than groups of individuals on party ticket,
when in the latter case there may be weaker
or Objectionable men in both groups,the voter
gradually rising to the occasion of selecting
the best men on the entire ballot.
One OF the most generally condemned fea,
tunes of the new law Is that which requires
that candidates in every group be properly
marked failing which the entire ballot Is void
That ballot properly marked throughout,
save that the voter makes the mistake Of vOt.
ing for two candidates for county surveyor,
should be wholly void, IL carrying the matter
of accuracy beyond the final limits Of COM
mon sense and should he renedied. While
it is true that q certain combination OF
candidates improperly marked could be used
to identify purchased" vote, 1t is not an
allowable proposition that the unquestioned
intention of an honorable votor shall be sys-
tematically ignored because, forsooth, the
reprobatc vcnal vote profits BY the plan.
Another thing that will be demanded by
the respectable Marylander is that 1t shall be
set forth In the law exactly what type shall
he used in printing the ballots. Types have
names as distinctive as families and individ.
ual members of families; they are known by
fixed names, styles and sizes and II type cho.
sen and 80 described would be as certain to
be recognized and as impossible to be coun
terfeitcd as would be a grain of corn The
law should arbitrarily name the type TO be
used throughout the State.
In the matter OF marking the ballots, the
present law is all right; but the judges should
not be permitted to reject ballot on account
of other than palpable intention to mark the
ballot for identification; that ballot should
be rejected because some nervous old man or
some one with impaired eyesight happened
to get leg OF the X mark outside the square
Is worse than absurd, it is an encroachment
upon indisputable rights, in this, that man
may not be disfrachised by or on account Of
any physical nirmity.
While every marking or manipulating OF
the ballot for the purpose Of identification
should be made most difficult, yet to render
the preparation of ballot and the counting
of an honest vote next to impossible save by
the man possessed of good eyes and steady
nerve, is very far from our estimate of fair
ballot law.
The present law is founded upon correct
principle, that some degree of intelligence is
essential and those who dispute that PROPOSE
ton and at the same time ardently support
the public school idea, will find 1t difficult to
reconcile the two positions. Notifications,
or different constructions will, however, be
come necessary If we are to profit by the real
good that has been embodied IN the present
law.
A second meeting Of those interested in
the coming Town Hall Piano Fair was held
on Friday evening. The chairmen OF the
several committees were present, some OF
them announcing the names of those they
desire to have serve with them on the com
mi,tee. A general plan of the arrangement
of the Hall was decided upon, some OF the
leading features of the fair discussed and all
asked to 60 20 work in earnest to secure do
nations, in which direction some progress
has already been made.
AS but two weeks and two days covers the
time between this and the opening of the
fair, 1t is necessary that some pretty active
work be done. AS the proceeds are intended
for investment in town property, the people
of the town should respond literally. Only
those who have had charge Entertainments
requiring piano, appreciate the service the
instrument IN the Hall will prove to be.
The evasion of the license law Wy those
who take orders for goods one day and deliv-
er them at later day is occasioning some
feeling on the part of regularly licensed mer-
chants. 1t is probable that concerted action
will be had to have the license law 30 amend,
ed that this traffic can no longer be carried
on without contributing TO the license fund,
rs the merchants are required to do.
IF you have frequent headac' es, dizziness
fainting spells accompanied by chills cramps,
coins, bunions, chilblains, epilepsy and jaun,
dice, it is a sign you are not well, tul are
liable to die any minute. Pay your subscrip-
ton year in advance, and thus make your.
self solid for good obituary notice Kan
sas City Journal.
1t is believed that the present Commission
ers of Anne Arundel county will refuse to
surrender their positions to the newly elect
cd board Some of them CLAIM that their
terms have not expired, and that the Legis
lature has no right to put them out Of their
places. -
Mr. Fred Highs Rotations, mimicry and
songs highly entertained large and intelli-
gent audience in the Town Hall on Tuesday
evening. He is as near all he advcrtises
himself to be as any that come this way. He