The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-01-23

PIT 10
The peresent ele{ bn laws were en-
acted piece-meal, commencing with
the legislature of 1865, and by success
sive legislatures to and including the
session of 1905. Many sections of
the present law are inconsistent with
those charged with the duty of carry
ing on the elections to determine the
correct procedure, in many instances.
The act relative to elections passed
in 1905 is found to be especially I'M
satisfactory, as might be expected
from the hurried manner in which the
act was passed in closing the days of
the session.
l recommend that a new ald com
plete system of election laws be pass
ed, Incorporating therein those fea-
lures of the present system applica-
BILE and desirable, but proceeding step
by step in logical order until and in
Guiding the provisions of final count
and issuance of certificates of election
l call special attention to the i'm
portance of having Incorporated in
this law provisions for impartial cleo
the judges of election are appointed
by the county commissioners. AS a
rule the members of the boards of
county commissioners are all of n
political party and in most instances
they appoint judges of election of
tho Gonna nn1itiool faith TTudnuhfnd1u
a large majority of the judges so APP
pointed are good and honest men, and
perform their duties fairly; but the
system is always unsatisfactory to the
party not in power, and affords oppor-
tunity of abuse and dishonest election
which may and do sometimes occur.
1 believe that this could be largely |
avoided, if provisions were made for
the appointment of a judge by each,
the board of county commissioners
and h chairman of ach of the two
dominant political parties. Challen-
gers at the polls should also be pro-
vided for by appointment by the coun
ty central committee of the several
political parties.
Registration of Voters.
The present law providing for the
registration of voters is very lax, to
should be so amended as to provide
for personal registration by each vot-
er, so hat on election day the regis
lists will show no other names
than those of qualified voters of the
precinct.
Primary EeIections.
The feeling seems to be almost uni
versal in New Mexico, that a system
of primary elections should be pro-
vided for by this legislature. l hear
tily recommend this and believe that
it will, to a great extent, prevent ma
unfortunate and disagreeable con-
in our territorial conventions,
as well as provide a system for the
nomination of county and district Off
GERS which would give all the voters
equal right in the selection of such
officers, by their party. 1t is a well
system, while the nominating conven-
are supposed to eminate from
the people, they are controlled by a
few. This does not give the average
voter a voice in the selection of no
minees, which he should have, and
tenn of voting in the primary cleo
TONS. l.
The Australian Ballot.
Our recent election has demonstrat
I'd that our present system of ballot
-ng in elections is open to many abus
there were no printed ballots
the names of candidates
20 Congress or for members of the
In others, stickers were
placed over the names of the regu-
ar nominees on every ballot before
eaving the hands of the county CEN
committee. This all tends to a
'esult different from that which the
really desired 60 Express at
he polls. A system adopted in a
majority of the States, known as the
Australian Ballot Law" seems to
ave given dlinoSI UNIVERSAL SdtiSldC
wherever tried. Under such
aw the voter expresses his own will
absolutely, unknown to any other per
'on. The plan is simple and easily
.omprehenled; it eliminates bribery
ildv vote buying to a large extent and
harm no one who desires an hon.
EST election. 1t has been urged that
New Mexico is not yet ready for the