The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-11-16
DIFFER WIDELY ON BALLOT LAW.
Present System, However, IS in
General Disgust.

ana varied are the opinions on the |
proposed changes. This demand |
is founded on the unsatisfactory re-
suits Of the late election, when
thousands of ballots were rejected
because of inaccurate marking,
while other thousands upon thous-
ands of voters did not go to the
polls. They remained at home be-
cause they were unwilling to I'M
dertake the difficult task of mark
ing the modern complicated ballot.
So greats the revulsion against
the puzzle ballot and wholesale
Acknowledgement of voters that
leading Republicans and Demo-
Gratis favor areturn to the old bal
lot of emblems, while others favor
a restoration Of the old system of
open voting at the window. Dem
ocrats in the Wilson counties are,
of course, welded to the act under
which, in the process Of elinina-
ton of ballots for inaccuracies,
they believe they gain more than
the Republicans. They cannot
see how the trick ballots, which
have been printed in those coun-
ties, have reacted upon their fell
low Democrats in this city, in the
central and western counties. They
do not even seem to be willing to
give up the trick ballot, which
they say is justifable on the theory
that means justify the end in the
effort to deprive the colored man
of his vote. When reminded Of
this violation ofthe law they calmly
smile and say that they are willing
to face loo al grand juries on char
ges.
Wide and divergent as are the
views regarding proposed changes
to the election law, there seems to
be settled convictions on two
points:
First-That the trick ballot must
go.
Second-That the intention of
the voter should be.taken into con-
sideration in the count Of ballots.
This intention is wholly ignored
if the voter marks for too many
candidates in one group, or if the
arms of his cross mark extend be
You'd the designated square. 1t is
an easy task to so amend the law
that a mistake in marking for one
group Of candidates shall vitiate
the vote for all candidates of that
group, and not for all candidates
on the ballot. Certain it is that
more latitude could be given vo-
tiers in making their cross marks.
The editors Of the county news
papers believe that the present
election law should be amended
so as to put a stop to the whole
sale rejection of ballots and to in
vite greater confidence in the cleo
ton laws. The y-at-home
vote, they say, is too large, and is
steadily growing because Of the
intricacies of ballot marking.
Here is what some Of the editors,
who we're in Baltimore yesterday
to hear Mr.. B. Howard Hannah dis
cuss good roads and oyster culture,
said in reference to ballot reform:
Col. John w. %Avirett, Cumber-
land ZImeS-I believe in a ballot
much simpler than that now pro-
vided by law, I also believe that
the intention of the voter should
be take Il into consideration. 1 also
believe in a restriction Of the bal
lot to the intelligent voters Of this
state.
Mr.. William Vanderford, West
minister Ad00cate-I am in favor
of the method of open voting. 1
have never opposed the Australian
system. Carroll county was the
last to adopt this system of voting,
Mr.. w. S. McComb, Havre de
Grace, RebH6hcan-Some simple
method of voting ought to be de-
vised.
Mr.. w. d. Bratton, Cecil Meas
A more simple ballot that now in
use should be used.
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