New-York tribune., 1907-01-10
"INVIOLABILITY OF THE BALLOT."

There is fine phrase familiar in American
public life, 1.-The inviolabiity of the ballot We
ourselves own TO tender regard for the
phrase. 1t is generous mouthful. 1t has a
noble sound. 1t is eminently respectable In
fact, we may say that it Is a sort of certificate
of character Of democracy. We are glad. indeed
TO see the present extreme solicitude on the part
of the representatives of the Peepul to make
the phrase stand for a reality.
After the election year ago the ballot boxes
with the counted ballots in Them remained for
few days in the custody of the police. Now
everybody knows what the police are, and to
leave the boxes in their possession for even
moment was painful oversight due to our not
having such watchful guardians OF the Peepul's
rights ,as brood over the destinies of democracy
in these later days. The Peepul must shiver
when they think of it. They must feel compro-
missed. The oversight was not prolonged how
ever. for some eager warder of the public chas-
tity awoke at night from troubled sleep, pain
fully conscious of the compromising situation
lie routed out judge. got an order and had
the ballot boxes dumped down in heap in the
street before day broke. The proprieties were
saved. though a little late, but that as we have
said, was in the days of purblind Indifference
TO the Peepuls fair name. After some further
adventures. which we shall not chronicle the
ballots were carefully locked up In their invlola-
breathed freely-they thought they had right
to, poor misguided creatures. dimly conscious
or their wrongs. But n new age dawned on
January l. and the Peepul are to be made TO sit
up and take notice of their wrongs. The new
keeper of the public conscience bethought him
of those inviolable ballots Where were thevp
How were they? The questions fairly made his
hair stand on end. Though II was night-con-
science is keener at night-he procured a court
AEEaiz zndf ball
seal upon them. What more reassuring guaran-
tee Of 'the lnviolability of the ballot could
there be than the seal OF Mr. jackson. Mr..
Shearn or Mr.. Hearst (his identity becomes q
little confusing at times), the first real repre-
sentative of the Peepul? Some persons accus-
toned to the ways of bygone days, when haste
was ''unseemly," censure this nightly enterprise
but we say the unexpected always happens.
and so 1t should; It fills more space.
Now the Peepul may breathe freely again.
The inviolabity Of the ballot has had some
narrow escapes. Think of those ballots being a
whole year out of the hands and unsealed with
the seal Of Mr.. Jackson Mr. Shearn or Mr.
Hearst, whoever the stern warder of the Peepul
IS. Inc only fault we can find with this repre-
sentative OF the New Order Of Things is that
II should have taken him eight whole davs to
think OF the precarious and compromising situa-
ton of those inviolable ballots unseized and nm
"'aied- itH luedlly alert representative of the
Peepul would have acted at II :01 a. H. Janu-
ary january being holiday. We suppose.
though, that the wrongs of the Peepul crowd
each other In the mind of their representative
Some confusion already exists in the publie
nina about the identity OF this representative
OF the New Order. If II Is Mr.. Jackson natural
and perfectly pardonable pride should have
saved him from letting Mr. Shearn or Mr.
Hearst get the credit for this splendid burst of
midnight activity. There may be in It GLORY
enough for ALL, as was said on an historic occa
sion, but only the most self-denying personality
would consent TO sharing glory which might be
wholly appropriated Mr.. Jackson tends TO
merge easily enough for public confusion into
Mr.. Hearst without interposing Mr. Shearn. one
view of whom is Hearst and the other view
Jackson. But with Mr.. Jackson that Is TO say.
MT Shearn. that IS to say. Mr.. Hearst. chaper-
onlng the ballot boxes the Peepul should be
happy. THE inviolablity of the ballot takes
on new meaning. When have had a re-
count we Shall want the recount recounted