The Pensacola journal., 1908-10-21
Party Leaders Are to Make
Three Big States Closing,
battle-ground.
HOPE FOR WEST
NOT so STRONG
Democrats Figure Out Sew
eral Combinations by
Which Bryan Could
Win Presidency.

the great battle-ground of the cam
paign will be in three states-New
York, Ohio and Indiana. On the out
come in these states will largely de-
pend the question whether Taft or
Bryan is elected.
OF course the political struggle will
go ahead in intense fashion in score
of other states, and it is conceivable
that the outcome of the election might
be decided elsewhere. But as things
stand today it is not probable. More
and more shrewd politicians are set.
tling down to the belief that in the
last analysis the choice of a president
will be determined there, and the last
weeks before the ballots are cast will
see the Bryan and Taft forces in des
perate strife for the electoral votes
that New York, Ohio and Indiana con
troll.
New York the Key
New York, with its 80 votes, is as
usual in a most commanding position
II is the key to the situation so fan
as the Democrats are concerned. II
is difficult to see how Mr.. Bryan car
be elected without the vote of thai
state. 1t is true, Mr.. Bryan himself
believes he is going to have a plural
ity of more than SO votes in the elec
toraI college. This belief is based or
the idea that landslide for the Dem
ocrats is going to be turned loose No
vember 3. But, putting aside the idea
of a landslide, New York must be con
sijered Indispensable for the fulfill
ment of the Bryan hopes.
1t so happens this year that New
York, Ohio and Indiana are close
states. This is not disputed by poll
ticians of either side, save when they
are talking for publication. The Dem
ocrats regard their prospects for Car
ryinS the three states rs good. better
in fact, than those for winning some
of the states farther west that have
been looked on at long range as in
clined to go for the Peerless Leader
Ii the Democrats can carry these
ence to the right of an elector to car
ry into an election booth a dummy
ticket, memorandum, or other guide
for marking his ticket in the genera
election, or the use of sucl dummy
tickets on the outside.
Section 1885 of the General Statutes
of the State of Florida is very speci
fic and emphatic upon this question
1t makes it a penal offense to take
into the election booth any meciani
cal device, ticket or memorandum
printed or written, other than the of
fetal ballot or ticket, to enable hin
to mark said ballot or ticket, Ol
= for any person to aid, or at
tempt to aid, any elector by any
means of any mechanical device
whatever in marking his ballot, ol
shall print or procure to be printed
or have in mis- possession any copy
of any ballot prepared TO be voted.
| l quote in full Section 1885. page
1881, General Statutes of the State
of Florida:
The Law.
| Sec. 3S35-'BALLOT NOT TO BE
SEEN, AND OTHER OFFENCES
Any elector who shall, except as pro
vided by law, allow mis- ballot to b'
seen by any person, or who shall tak'
or remove or attempt to take or re
move any ballot from the pollin,
lplace before the close of the polls, o
place any mark upon his ballot b,
which it may be identified, or TAX
Into the election booth any mechani
cal device, ticket or memorandum
lprinted or written, other than the OF
}
to mark said ballot or ticket, or an,
person who shall interfere with an
elector when inside of the pollini
nlace or when marking his ballot
Tor unduly influence or attempt .
Iunduly influence any electOr in tn
preparation of his ballot, or any eleI
itor who shall remain longer than Ia
specified time allowed by law in III
booth or compartment after havin
been notified that his time has e>
pired, or who shall endeayor to il
iduce any elector to show how n
marked or has marked his ballot, o
aids or attempts to aid any elector b
any means of any mechanical devic
whatever in marking his ballot o
shall print or procure to be printe
or have in his possession any cop
lof any ballot prepared to be voted
tshaI be fined not less than ten no
lmore than one hundred dollars, or b
! iimpriSoned not more than thre
months. Any ballot marked by tn
lelector for Identification shall be re
jected.'
The Law is Plain.
There can be no doubt that carry
ling into the booth a memorandum Q
lany kind. whether written or print
ed to assist the memory, is stric
violation of the law.
The County Commissioners shoul
direct the attention OF Inspectors q
election to this law which is Sc
specific and emphatic upon this sui
iect. and this law should be enforce
at this election, as an effort Is be
ling made TO organize and vote tn
negroes en- masse. allied with tn
iwhite republicans, against the demt
cratic nominee
Yours very truly,
~