Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-02-28

organization to carry into effect their
pledges for ballot reform was taken
last week when Senator Benjamin X.
Focht, of Union county, chairman Of
the committee on elections, presented
a bill in the senate which provides for
material changes in the present system
of balloting.
This bill meets a number Of objec-
tions that have been raised to the
present system and, although 1t will
probably be changed in several par
ticulars before it becomes a law, 1t
represents the general plans of the
party leaders on this subject.
The bill will do away with the pres
ent unwieldy ballot, and while the de-
mands of the ultra-ballot reform agi-
tators for the pure Australian" sys-
tenn are not fully granted, the ballot Is
made of such a character as shall meet
the demands Of the Republicans who
comprise large percentage OF the vot-
ing population Of this commonwealth.
CONVENIENCE OF PARTY MEN.
One of the demands from these pro-
fessional reformers has been that there
shall be no device or arrangement by
which members of any political party
can by simply making one mark vote
for all the candidates Of that party.
This proposition has been given care
full consideration by the Republican
leaders, and they have reached the con-
clusion that Republicans. Democrats,
Prohibitionists or members Of any
other we'll established party should
not be put to the Inconvenience or an
noyance Of putting mark after the
name of each candidate for whom they
wish to vote when they desire to cast
a ballot for every candidate OF their
respective party.
There will be the usual howl from
these radical "reformers," none Of
whom are in sympathy with the regu-
lar Republican organization, against
the plan provided under Senator
Focht's bill But a great majority Of
Republicans, Democrats and Prohibi-
tionists unquestionably demand some
provision that will facilitate their vot-
ing for their party candidates without
having to pick out their favorites from
long list of names and possibly,
through error, vote for candidates
whom they do not favor.
Senator Focht's bill, which Is to be
substituted for the present Baker bal
lot law, also comprehends vital and
necessary changes in the present pri-
mary election law.
The bill practically embodies all the
features Of the Australian system, the
candidates Of all parties being grouped
under headings designating the Office
for which they are running. The
circles at the top are reserved to ac-
commodate the 80 or 80 per cent Of
Republicans and Democrats who wish
to vote a straight party ticket. while
the distinctive Australian feature Of
grouping candidates affords those de-
string to vote split ticket every ap-
portunity of doing so. The names Of
candidates are allowed on the ballot
but once. Those by party certificates
will have printed after the name the
party designations, while all nomina-
signated as Independent nominations.
BLANKET BALLOTS ABOLISHED.
This greatly reduces the size of the
ballot, and the blanket sheet will be
something of the past. Senator Focht
says he has examined carefully all the
ballot laws of all the states, as well as
the sample ballots used, and 1t is his
opinion that in this bill he has pre-
sented the best system of voting in the
country, as we'll as the most convenient
and best constructed ballot, mechan-
ically, now used in the United States
Senator Focht says nothing can be
done with the registration law until
there shall be an amendment to the
h~ -
electors to register is now defined by
that instrument. This bill also pro-
vides for and simplifies the nomina-
tion of all candidates.
The bill retains many provisions of
the present law, for instance:
First-Mark in the circle is a vote
for every candidate of that party
whose name is nnder the circle. H.
Second-The percentage necessary to
place independent candidates upon the
ticket Is the same, one-half Of per
cent for candidates for state officers,
and per cent for all other officers,
the only change being that for state
officers the names must be secured in
at least ten counties, instead of any
one county, as at present.
Third-The ballots are numbered;
unused and mutilated ballots are re-
turned, as under the present law, to the
court.
Fourth-The penalties remain the
same as under the present law.
NO NAME TO APPEAR TWICE.
The Focht bill differs from the pres
ent law in that no name of candidate
shall appear twice upon the same bal
lot for the same Office. The candidates
name will appear on the ballot under
the heading of the party which first
nominated him, unless he elects other
wise.
No name can appear on the ticket as
a candidate for Office representing any
element or party or faction unless that
element, faction or party maintains
party organization and is so recognized
by the public, and then the candidate
must have been nominated in accord
ance with the party rules. All candi-
dates on the ticket will be grouped.
each name followed by the party des-
ignation, but straight party ticket
may be voted by cross in the circle,
M oh Nuyf1I 30