Evening journal., 1902-12-22
MONDAY. DECEMBER ~, 1902
rI.EorIoN LAM RnFoRM

EIEOIlON LA W hHfOAAM
The Middletown Transcript in har-
mony with all Of the public spirited
Journals Of the state, is convinced that
ballot reform is most desirable, but It
questions the necessity for the envelope
system. which was first suggested by
the Evening Journal Il is to be ex-
pected that there will be differences
of opinion on minor points, but a press
earnest and aggressive in demanding
reform in our ballot laws. is every
thing. We sincerely hope that all OF
the honest journals will express opin-
ions about this matter, and not only
will these suggestions help in the
framing OF some suitable bill, but will
assist in securing its passage.
There is nothing more vital that Will
come before the Legislature. A ballot
law that makes IL possible for the sem
timents of a majority Of honest men to
be thwarted by the corrupt vote, is as
bad as 1t can be. And such law in
a republican form OF government
strikes at the very foundations OF 80
ciety
We are yet OF the impression that
the envelope system has many adyan-
tages. 1t provides for absolute secrecy,
as no matter what ticket is voted, the
envelopes are uniform. In voting the
separate party ballot in The old days
there was a tendency TO stun the bal
lot box. There were tissue ballots and
ballots on other thin paper, allowing
two or three to be folded together and
voted without detection. The voter
who Is required to place his ballot in
an envelope knows that the envelope
must be opened, and that IL two or
more ballots are inserted, he will be
penalized by having the whole thrown
out. It may be said that the election
officers could guard against the voting
OF more than one ballot by voter, but
this would require examination, and
would give the election officers the op-
portunity of discovering the nature OF
the ticket voted
The transcript thinks that certain
voters might forget to seal the en-
velopes, and, we may remark, they
might also forget to insert a ballot, but
the system would require very little
care. There would be no marking OF
ballots. and all the voter would have
to do would be to select ballot, or
have someone select II for him, II he
wished, insert it in the envelope, and
seal it, A man who can't do that can't
tel his name. The objection that there
might be a neglect in sealing the en-
yelopes strikes US as Of little moment
The election officers might refuse such
vote and direct the voter to seal IT.
That would be simple. But there is one
thing that can be remedied without
mudh effort Every honest man knows
that the voters assistant act is al
abomination, and a disgrace to thu
State. A General Assembly that should
let a session pass without repeating |
would be unfit to hold the respect o
the people. It can be done easily. lie
someone present lhe loiioNAh6 DAl'
An Act 10 Repeal the Act known a
the Votels' Assistant Act:
BE it enacted by the Senate an
House OF Representatives OF the Stat
of Delaware in General Assembly met
Section l. That the act entitled "A
Act creating the Office OF Voters As
sistant, and Prescribing the Dutie
Thereof" approved March s, A D
1901. be and the same is hereby II
pealed"
That would mark a good beginninl
and would pave the way for furth'
reform.