The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-03

an argument ever had any basis what
ever, IL has long since ceased 10 be APP
parent l believe the present qualification
Is wrong. both I'm theory and practice. So
far as theory Is concerned, there Is no
reason why registry voter should not
have equal rights OF suffrage with the
property holder. II the registry voter
possesses sufficient intelligence and pa
triotism TO vote for presidential electors
members OF congress, governor. members
of legislature, mayor and other import
ant officers. II is difficult 10 see why ne
is not capable OF voting for an alderman
or councilman or on a proposition 90 inn
pose a tax.
No state in the union except Rhode ISL
and, requires such a qualification. | he
lieve the administration of cities OF other
states will compare favorably for econ
omy and good government with the ad-
ministration OF some OF our cities. The
only present day result OF the property
qualification is the wholesale jugglery and
manipulation OF the personal property
list Hundreds OF names are added to and
taken from this list yearly by the asses
sors i'm the various cities In nine cases
out OF ten the persons affected do not
know they are placed on or taken from
the personal property list at the time and
their taxes are paid for them by politi-
clans interested i'm securing a city coun-
such taxes are raised usually from cor
poratons seeking franchises and laws
from the city council. or from office hold
ers desirous of securing or perpetuating
themselves in public office.
The vote of the bona fide real estate tax
payer Is thus nullihed by the manufac-
tured straw voter produced by the tax
assessor. The property qualification dis
qualities more than one-half the voters in
the cities OF the state. II. therefore. di-
rectly sanctions the rule Of the cities by
a small minority--a principle utterly OPP
posed TO the best traditions of American
government The interest of the nom
property or registry voter in good gov
ernment is as great as that OF the prop
erty voter. though IL is OF a different ma
ture. He is interested in the schools in
public franchises and other matters which
affect the body polite, and the burdens
OF taxation. while not placed upon him
directly are borne equally by him.
The history OF our government shows
also that we have steadily grown away
for many years past from the property
qualification for both office holding and
for voting J. therefore, recomend your
approval Of an amendment TO the consti-
tuition abolishing this qualification.
Election and Caucus Laws
When the new ballot law was adopted.
l
plifying the patriotic task of voting had
been practically settled. After two years
experience with this law. | believe the re-
suits nave not justified it's enactment. 1t
is true that straight voting, so-called, has
been simplfed. but at the expense OF
making difficult the voting OF split or in
dependent tickets. Inasmuch as non-par-
tisan and independent voting has greatly
increased in past years. and in the inter-
est of good government should be encour-
aged, | believe the ballot law should he
oVerhauled I'm such manner as best TO a Z
tain that end The old system OF voting
under the Australian method was highly
preferable 10 the present system from the
standpoint OF the Independent voter
There e one provision OF the present
law which is particularly Objectionable.
If voter now makes his cross IN circle
under the party emblem and then desli es
to vote against any person named on such
ticket, he must not only make his cross
opposite the name of candidate I'm an
other column but he must draw line
through the name OF the candidate in the
party column for which he has first voted.
The requirement that he draw line
through such name ought TO be abolished.
Under the existing laws, the final day
for registration i'm each year Is June 30
In my opinion, this is altogeSher unfair.
as tOlI months IL 100 lpllS a Allli' b'l'i ~
election TO bar the voter from registra-
tion | believe every citizen ought TO be
allowed 10 register up to within 30 days OF
election. This is the law in many other
states, and IL seems to be a thorough sue
cess If tho time were extended. | believe
we could secure better registration for
the reason that interest in jublic matters
Is keener just before election than il is
In the heat OF the summer season. four
months previous thereto.
Boards of canvassers and registration
officials in the various cities and towns
ought to be required to visit the different
voting districts OF their respective cities
and towns during the last month or six
weeks Of registration. and at such times
as will be most convenient for the voters
In other words, registration ought TO be
made easy and convenient for the citi-
gems rather than for the registration Off
cials who are generally amply paid for
their services. The conduct OF the Provi-
dence board OF canvassers is open TO es-
pecial criticism on the ground that tho
board is both insoent and unaccommodat-
ing I'm its treatment of registry voters
They have persistently refused TO visit
voting precincts OF the city to facilitate
registration and they keep their office
open on only a very few evenings during
the whole year Thousands of voters are
thus compelled TO go considerable dis
tance and can register i'm only one place.
Those compelled TO work during the dav
must often suffer financial loss 10 get
their names on the books.
Several years Of experience with the