The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1901-01-21
SAME OLD FIGHT.

OF IHlS hluu III lytluNultt anu ouSbNSsSe q
that this indicated the position Of the {
two great political parties-the Republi- !
can party being for free ballot and the ,
DEMOCRATS for a taxed or restricted bal !
lot. The suggestion Of Governor HUM
for the repeal of the constitutional re- {
quirement for registration fee has al
ready developed Democratic opposition.
The Democrats are in favor of free trade
in every thing but ballots, and upon
these they would put prohibitory tax If
it we're possible to make that prohibition
apply to Republicans, and particularly to
colored Republicans. That has been the
Democratic policy in this State, as in
all the States South. 1t is now we'll
known that propositions were made by
Democrats in the recent constitutional /
convention to make the registration 50
high as to make it practically prohibi-
tory. 1t is also Que Of the open secrets
of the last campaign that the Democrats |
were considering plans for the disfran-
chisement of the colored voters of this |
State. The matter had recognition in |
their State platform, dependent of course |
upon Democratic success. In that case |
the Democratic campaign would have
been aggressive. Defeat, however, has
made it defensive.
In referring to this matter the Della
warean says:
'Thn that tba lpllar Eh Ill
be paid in order to qualify to vote beng
a constitutional provision, it is impos-
sible TO repeal the law without amending
the Constitution. TO begin to make in
roads on the organic law Of the State al
this early day after its adoption seems to
us hasty and ill-advised, although there
S no certainty that the measure to amend
would receive the necessary two-thirds
vote in two different Legislatures.
Political workers, as rule, desire that
the registration fee be done away with
in order that they may be the better
able to round up the worst element of
voters with as little danger to themselves
and the voter as possible
Considering the opposition to the pay
m"nt of Il resignation free from every
! standpoint il resolves itself into the mat
ter of controlling the votes If n class
having no personal OF individual interest
concerning public affairs further than
following the hehCstS and commands OF
S the briber after having received the i'll
q gotten price of vote. There may be
fact fiat ft6f r9lefl tapiiBRn sRSeiffihS c
n in the way Of the political wire puler
t IN the performance of what seems to him
q to be the duty in marshalling votes for
his party.
The bills in the House looking to the
= amendment Of the Constitution whereby
( the section compelling the payment Of
, the dollar may be repealed and the re
communication of Governor Hum to the
same point should be defeated and by 50
J doing maintain and preserve for all it is
5 worth one Of the main safeguards against
bribery and corruption.
Every Evening endorses this, and in
doing that we presume that it rc-estab-
liShes itself in the Democratic column. IN
spite OF its recent declaration OF indie.
pcndence. 1t says
The Index is right The man who does
not hold his right Of suffrage to be worth
dollar every two years does not deserve
. me right to vote. To do away with this
requirement would Ec to chcapcn suf
count.
The suffrage regulations in this Stat.
are al right They are not oppressive
. TO the slightest degree. They simnl,
impose certain obligations upon The
voter which he should be only too elad
70 assume. To do away with these oh
llsatlons would be making the right Of
suffrage cheap affair, indeed
Ii will In upticu5 TINT tJn
win truly Democratic scnsibilitics de-
lores constitutional amendment, and mar.
ticnlarly deplorcs making inroads upon
the present constitution so soon aftcr
its adoption. This objection is childish
III IT'S apparent fear Of some unspcakablc
VI 70 follow the amendment Of the law
where 1t has already proved defective.
re time for amendment is when tho
defects OF the law are discovered and mot
altef they have worked ills that can
never be cured. The present regulation
according to Governor Hunn's testimonv
not only restricts suffrage but tends n
'"'ltlawry and corruption Instead of pre-
vomiting political wrongdoing, it promotes |
III hy putting a premium on it. To re- |
move this and give the greatest possible
/ opportunity for obtaining a full and free !
| Expression Of the popular will the Gov
'rhor proposes a free ballot, and such |
VOTING regulations as will prevent the |
spolllng Of ballots. That is the RcpubIi. |
! eah theory. In answer to this, or rather |
! N opposition to it, the Delawarean says.
ne change is desired by political work
efs TO facilitate their work and lessen the
! dangers 10 themselves and to the votnr
ms we take It acknowledges the failure
3t the registration law to meet Demo.
'ratlc expectations; that it has not pro
Ven'ed the voting to the extent required,
a TACT demonstrated at the last election.
- II Is not desire for ballot reform thot
| inspires Democratic objection to con
'ututlonai amendment, but a fear that
'he restrictions Of the ballot, in which
i0vernor Hum discovers the source of
political evil, but fear that furthc,
amendments would make the ballot free
would take the restrictive proyisions
IRON the law and make il lawful and
easy 10 poll full vote in this State.
KS argument against this is clearly nm
argument of caste, and for the restriction I