The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-30

became more oI 1ssSss uAAOtatd1lCSi.s II AIo
fact that he committed suicide tends to
confirm this opinion. 9sa
.s.5s
HOW ToGET HoNESTELEcTIoNs5
When voter goes into private booth
and prepares ballot to his own liking.
without the knowledge or Interference
or suggestion OF any other, it goes with
out saying that he is in the most fortu-
nate position to express his choice Of
measures or candidates, rs the case may
be. He may then and there prepare his
ballot to his liking. He may fold it up
and deposit 1t in the box, and no living
man may know then or thereafter how
he has voted. If under those circum-
stances a voter does not vote exactly as
he pleases we do not know why.-Rlch-
mond Times.
We will tell you why in a very few
words. After the voter has gone TO the
trouble of entering private booth ana
preparing a. ballot to- his own liking. and
folding it up and uepositing it In the box
the ballot is irrevocably beyond his con-
troll, and he has had all his pains merely
to furnish an opportunity to the ballot
box suffer and the vote falsifier. He mas
no assurance that his vote VIII be count
ed as he cast it, unless 1t comedies with
the views Of the election officers. In
the interest of honest elections, it would
been far better for him to have stayed
away altogether If he voted counter to
those views, for the more votes cast the
greater the opportunity for fraud. 1t Is a
knowledge of this fact which has ia
fiuenced voters for the past ten years or
more to stay away from the polls. Those
in accord with the election officers are ac-
customed to say, 20. we'll. 1t makes no
difference. shall be voted anyhow"
And those not in accord with the cleo
ton officers are convinced that their votes
will not be counted as they were cast.
Now where is the advantage Of voting
ones own sentiments secretly when that
vote can be used, and VIGOROUSLY Is used,
to promote the interests and aims of the
boss and his ring, whether it was cast
that way or not? What's your remedy
for this under the secret system.-Te-
tersburg IndeX-Appeal.
Our Petersburg contemporary does not
deny that the ballot system is the best
system of obtaining full and free ex-
preston Of the voters, so far as prepar-
ing the ballots goes. This cannot be de-
MED. When voter goes into a private
booth and MAKES a ballot to suit himself,
without the interference or suggestion
his choice of measures or men. as the case
NAV be- That is a statement which can
not be disputed.
But the Index-Appeal says that the Fo-
ter. after having prepared such a ballot,
has no assurance that it will be counted
as he cast it, unless it comedies with the
views of the election officers. NOW,
where is the advantage. asks our con-
temporary, 'of voting ones own sentl-
ments secretly when that vote can be
used. and VIGOROUSLY is used, to promote
the interests and aims of the boss and his
rings, whether it was cast that way or
not?''
Here, then, is the specific charge that
under the secret-ballot system judges of
election manipulates the ballot-box to pro-
mote the interests of their own clique or
party faction, and so defeat the will OF
the voters. Our contemporary asks what
the remedy for this is. We reply that
the remedy, and the only remedy, is in
getting honest election officers and that
remedy is in the hands of the people. If
the election o11lcers are dishonest that
they will steal ballots, or stuff ballot
boxes. or in any way commit fraud when
they are sworn to deal honestly, they will
commit fraud and deal dishonesty with
the voters, no matter what system OF
voting is used. We do not believe that
it is possible to have honest elections with
dishonest men in charge. On the other
hand. it is quite possible and altogether
practicable to have honest elections under
the secret-ballot system If we have hon
est election judges.
There is a demand throughout the State
Of Virginia for honest elections. for an
honest expression of the sentiment of the
voters and an honest return; and. with
the negro vote out of the way. with all
pretexes for dishonest practices removed,
we believe that the people of Virginia
will see to it that elections are honest,
no matter what system of voting be In
vogue The way to get rid of an evil
is to get rid of the root Of the evil. The
way to get rid of dishonesty in elections
is to get rid of dishonest election Off
GERS.
THE IBRARY AND PUBLIC HALL