The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-21

place for the purpose Of casting his bal
lot he has two functions TO perform: Th'
first Is 10 express his approval or disap
proval OF certain policies. Tho second Il
to exercise his judgment as TO which o.
various candidates he favors for certain
offices.
Frequently he gets his two function:
so inextricably mixed that II you should
ask him he would probably have no ade-
quate conception as TO what he has done
In either case. Perhaps he has an idea
that he wishes TO vote the Republican
ticket. He does so. lie thereby expresses
his preference for certain policies which
he may or may not know anything about
and puts his mark of approval upon the
selection of candidates. made by the par
~ organization. whom Il is more than
likely he knows nothing at all about
"Reformers throughout the country
generally are trying 10 correct this meth
od OF procedure by introducing a form Of
Official ballot which compels each elector
to mark each individual candidate. They
are also endeavoring To assist the voter
I'm further particular. by separating the
occasions when he is supposed To exer-
else his judgment as 10 policies from
those upon which the only function
which he ought to perform Is TO decide as
between the various candidates.
There are certain elections at which
II is probably necessary for the voters
TO express their opinions as TO policies.
| refer 10 the election OF the president
of the United States. congressman and.
TO lesser extent governors and general
state officers The question at issue In
the election OF a mayor, common council
men or school director is simply honesty
and efficiency. II has therefore, come to-
be recognized by the students of muni-
cipal affairs that the best way To get an
intelligent judgment on the question OF
the personnel OF local officers is 10 elimi-
nate all necessity for an expression OF
the voter with regard to policies.
THE first step in this direction is 20
separate the municipal election from the
state and national election. This has
been recognized In a number OF states as
an important and proper thing to do.
There are really three methods which
have been tried. One. as I'm Massachu-
setts. TO have the municipal election fol-
ow month or so after the general cleo
ion. Another as In New York. TO have
a general election one year and a local
election the next, and third, as IN
where we have "A munich
pal election over three months later than
he general election.
ONE ELECTION TOO MANY.
with the development of the reform
RS work along other lines. however,
o having two elections I'm single year.
Formerly the citizen was only required
% go To the polls at election time. Now
he must go In Pennsylvania each year
,nce to register and twice To the pri-
naries. In addition to the two elections
This makes five trips TO the polls, which, |
llthough IL may not consume altogether |
more than four hours of the citizens val !
liable time. Is considered by him entirely |
90 priaVDIIq n hnrdan IN ha
'ver. the expense OF an election has come |
o be serious matter. particularly when |
has 10 be met. as In the case OF re- |
orm parties, by subscriptions of public |
pirited citizens.
The plan, therefore, recently adopted |
n New York has been inaugurated In
'ennsylvania; that IL. To abolish the WIN
er election, but TO so arrange the offices
hat the term OF the country and cjtv
'nicers Will expire In odd years A con-
ututional amendment was passed at the
ast session of the legislature. which
'rovides In brief a system by which at
he general election OF one year the cti-
ems shall vote for general state officers.
ma at the next election for city and
ounty officers"
RICHARD l.. GAY.
Richard l.. Gay OF Boston, secretary
4 the Election Reform league OF Mas
achusetts, discussed state and municipal
nairs I'm Massachusetts,, referring es-
ecially TO be separation of state and
ity elections lie said:
THE reason the separation OF state and
elections was adopted so early
n Massachusetts cannot be readily ex-
lained. IL Is not probable, however, that
he political conditions which now exist
nd which are prompting the separation
u elections In many states today were
N operating force to that end in those
arly times. At least II seems improb-
Die that IT was because OF evils expert
nced that our fathers determined TO
Ieep state and municipal elections apart:
may have been that they perceived the
possibility for harm I'm combining tho
wo, and, with the remarkable wisdom
which they exhibited I'm dealing with
many other matters, determined 10 pro- !
ide against st. After an experience OF 4
'ver l3 years with separate elections
here rs no sentiment I'm the Common
wealth that ] can discover I'm favor of
holding them together Twice within the /
ast rev years bills have been presented |
20 this end and I'm each case the COM |
nittee unanimously reported leave TO |
The convenience OF using party or |
as already existing. which |
VII be that formed on lines determined
~ national and state issues, I'm the !
ibsence OF any strongly operating reason !
or party organization on special lines, /
ends TO prevent the formation OF PARTIES |
N purely municipal issues i'm ciros."
During Mr.. Gays discourse ATTORNEY
ieneral Charles J. Bonaparte. president
( the league. arrived and took a seat
N the platform beside Vice President
who was presiding
ROBERT TREAT PAINE, JR.
Robert Treat Paine. Jr.. OF Boston be- |
eyed the league should endeavor 10 ar !
We at that principle which would be the |
est universally applied.
The evils OF the intrusion OF national /
)ltics into municipal elections could not /
; eliminated by merely time separation.
e believed the only remedy was a mega
We one-that national politics should be
lrred out as such. The elimination had
't been brought about I'm Boston by
paration. he said, even though all tho
.feguafis allowed by law were thrown
ound the municipal primary one must
proved TO be a member OF one OF the
rec national parties. The efforts OF
former. he said, were beaten at the
art by that party primary. The only
ny 10 escape it's influence was 60 bar
e party primary out altogether lie be-
wed that the simplcSt plan ana regnt,,- 1