Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-12-02
THE TRICK BALLOT.

The Ndryiand,r and Hcraid, Princess
Anne. published an editorial in its last
issue which shows the true inwardness
of the attitude of the Baltimore Nc~s
in favor of change in our ballot law.
The .Marglander and Herdid says:
"Growing out of the discussion of
ballot reform at the approaching meet
ing of the Legislature. the Baltimore
News declares that two things must be
secured. viz:
FIRST The intention of the voter
must prevail; the wholesale rejection Of
ballots must cease.
SECOND - The ballots must be printed
in definite and uniform way, under re-
sponsible official direction; trickery of
all kinds in the printing of the ballots
must absolutely come to an end.
As to the question of the voters inten-
ton few. if any, would object to a
change in the Election Law requiring
the Judges Of Election to give effect TO
the honest intent of the voter. provided.
that such change was so safe-guarded
as to prevent the briber and corruption
list from making and carrying out a cor
rupt bargain with venal voters to use or
place distinguishing marks on the bal
lots, whereby the delivery of the goods
could be certainly ascertained.
But the News second proposition.
above set forth. is clearly a proposal Of
"A trick ballot" on the most gigantic
scale, because if the ballots be printed
in a definite and uniform way. the bril-
Der and corruptionist would thereby be
enabled to corral venal, vicious and ig-
norant voters by merely teaching such
willing pupils to mark their ballots by
the use of measuring stick. or piece
of pasteboard with index figures point
ing to the voting squares opposite the
briber's party candidates, as was done
by the Republican ''tricksters in the
recent election in Garrett county. which
could have been prevented. in lawful
way, under the present law. had the
Garrett Election officials used their wits
in the printing of the ballots for that
county. A uniform ballot. as proposed
by the News. would furnish certain
rule. by the methods named, to Repub-
lican tricksters to vote the vicious. ig
norant and venal voters for the Repub-
lican ticket.
Everybody knows that. at heart. the
Baiiimor, Ne'rs is in sympathy with the
election of Republican officials. not with
standing its pretended independence
In State and City Elections in the last
ten years it has been arrayed on the
Republican candidates. 1t advocated
the defeat of the late Mayor McLane,
in the Spring of 1903, Notwithstanding,
that before the Republican Primaries
in that year, it had pronounced Con-
gresham Wachter. the Republican
opponent. as unfit for the office. and il
advocated the defeat Of Governor War
field and the whole Democratic ticket.
in the Fall of the same year Hence,
the News can be relied upon TO advocate
any election reform that is proposed for
the benefit of the Republican Party.
The News idea appears to be that
any trick that helps the Republican
Party is all right, but if Democrats at
tempt to meet and Illustrate tricky re-
sorts on the part of their adversaries.
then, according to the News, there is
something wrong, and the hue and cry
of Trick Ballot" is raised. in which
the News is loudest in proclaiming its
Indignation. This, and this alone. is
the milk in the News cocoanut.