The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-25
VOTERS WILL HAVE
A TEDIOUS JOB.
Bewildering Array of Names to
Select From on the Official Bal
lot fer the Coming Election.

A blanket would hardly cover the ofh-
eial ballot to be used AT the coming cleo
ton. and Judging from the length OF both
the city and the state ballots the average
voter will have to tako a half day of 70
properly read ana mark his ballot
Yesterday afternoon a copy of the orr
cial state ballot was received by secre-
taTy OF State Bennett. and TO say that It
beats all previous records by several feet
fs putting II mildly. About a foot wide
and three feet long II contains IS names
and p offices aud propositions for con-
sideration.
The candidates for general officers con
fuse by their number. while the names
of citizens who would like to be mem
bers of the assembly are legion.
Then come the congressional nomina-
lions. and when these weighty matters
have been attended to, the voter. II he
has staying power and patience enough,
turns his attention 10 the proposed
amendments 10 the constitution. This
part OF his duties is corker.
To the ordinary voter the meaning OF
the proposed changes 70 the fundamental
law OF the state Is great mystery and
but few OF them care whether the lieu
tenant governor presides over the de-
liberations of the senate or plays ping
pong In the basement.
Then comes the city officers TO be voted
for the ballot for registry voters contain
ing only the names OF candidates for
mayor, treasurer, harbor master, over
seer OF the poor and school committee
man. The taxpayers. however, have an
additional burden. as they must pick
from asmulHtude oe parties anu names
the men they want 10 represent them
IN the city council.
All told the conscientious voter who
wishes to do his whole duty at the polls
will have TO make 81 different crosses TO
leave the booth with clean conscience.
NAMES REPEATED.
Many of the names occur on the ballots
IN more than one place. and the voter
will have TO weigh carefully his party
affiliations and Judge whether he should
vote for John Smith as Republican.
a Cftixen. an Economic Lacquer. Good
Government or possibly a Democrat.
In only one case, however. has the
names OF two men been placed on the
official ballot for the same office under
the same party heading. John l.. Rem
linger and Thomas A. Carroll running
for sixth representative as Good Govern
ment candidates. Mr.. Remlinger also Is
no the ballot for the Office as a Repub-
lean, and Mr.. Carrolis name will also
be found among the Democratic candi-
dates. Mr.. Carroll is the only Democrat
with a Good Government endorsement
The putting OF Mr.. Carrolrs name on
the ticket as q good government candi-
tained a nominee under that characteriza-
don. snashes all traditions that the per-
son nrst filihg papers had the exclusive
Last night City Clerk Clarke held a
conferences with City Solicitor Colwell
on the right OF faction OF any party
TO head It's nominations with the % regular
the solicitor was that this could not be
done The name OF any political party
which cast at least per cent: or the total
vote OF the last election can be used only
by that party for candidates nominated
IN the regular caucuses or conventions OF
the party.
NO DEMOCRATS NAMED.
There will be no democrats on the tick
ct from the Third ward according TO tho
recent decision OF the supreme court ana
this Democratic stronghold will have 70
worry along without an OFFICIAL democrat
In the city council during 1903 But the
old war horses OF the ward will be Ia the
council Just the same and whether as
the democracy OF the ward will be taken
care OF.
In connection with the large number OF
names on the ballots and the necessity
for so many checks IL hes been advocated
for some time that the system IN use IN
other states be adopted here Each party
adopts an emblem which is sacred 10 that
party and Is printed on the top Of The
page containing the nominees OF Nc
party. Under the emblem Is a circle and
those wishing 10 vote the straight party
ticket put a cross in the circle, one park
voting the entire ticket.
Next week win be a strenuous one for
both parties and rallies Will be held All
over the state. the Republicans followlne
the Democrats. Ito nail any lies that
may be told" as one man said IN Repub-
ncan headquarters yesterday.
Every night next week Will see rallies
IN this city OF one or both parties. Next
Saturday night Mayor Granger Will speak
al a Democratic rally at Newport on
wednesday night the big Democratic raj
~ win be held at Infantry hall.