Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-20

constitution of 1879. This change has
been found so beneficial that all Of
lenses are now tried on information,
except offenses by public officials and
such cases as are now being tried in San
Francisco.
Better Material Needed
1.-The greatest beneficial change that
can come into the administration of
the criminal law will be in the i'm
provement of the human beings who
administer the law. Better judges, bet
ter jurors better lawyers mean more
accurate results.
Such court so differed, with wit
nesses who will tell the truth ac-
cording to the best of their ability
will, whatever the system involved, at
tain the best results, and so after all
the greatest possible change to the ad-
vantage of the state connected with
the administration of law is the up
lifting of public sentiment and the
education of the people to the selec-
ton of right judges and jurors and the
education of witnesses to tell the truth
and the education of public opinion so
the law will be enforced.
The dominant figure in courtroom
is, or at least should be, the judge.
His authority may be exercised
quietly and almost unconsciously and
imperceptibly, but the orderly conduct
of the case lies with the judge.
1.-The judge should represent the au-
thority of the great state, and if he
is afraid or is timid because of the
political or social standing of attor-
neys or parties, that timidlty will Sc
riously affect, in ways almost undis-
coverable, the whole course of the
trial"
For Postal Primaries
Mr.. Roseberry will introduce in the
legislature a bill for postal primary
elections, which he explained as fol-
lows:
Il feel that the subject of direct
primary law that is to come before the
next session of the state legislature
will probably be the most important
question for legislative action that has
been presented for many years. 1t
means the revolution and evolution of
the whole institution of nominations of
public officials.
This will have counter-effect upon
our political parties of a very serious
nature, for they will lose their chief
power, the nomination of party candi-
dates. What the result will be is at
this time largely problematical, but it
is certain that it will result in a great
publication among the party leaders.
The boss or political leader will, of
course, lose his power, and will nat
urally drift among the unknown.
my proposed measure will be known
as the postal direct primary law. It's
great distinguishing feature lies in the
system of voting by mail. The pur-
pose of this is to call out as large a
vote among the apathetic classes as
is possible. There is no question about
the apathy on primary election days
of the best classes of voters.
"There is no question, either, but
that many of the most desirable voters
are prevented from attending the polls
at all, by reason of their absence or
inability or from other causes. If they
were allowed to mail their ballot at
any time within ten days prior to the
primary day, from any place reached
by the federal mail system with such
little effort as this system makes, I'M
questionably they would vote almost
to a man.
And here lies the merit of this sys-
tenn.
Public Wish Secured
"This, then, fully realizes the sole
purpose of my primary law, to wit:
Securing the largest public vote or
choice upon men who submit their
names as candidates for public office
1.-THE objection that such a system
might open chances for tampering WITH
or 'stuffing the ballot is readily met
by the close and effective guards
placed around each ballot.
"This is accomplished by three
checking methods: First, each voter
is mailed one ballot having the color
provided by law for the party to which
he belongs Every party ballot has a
separate color
Second, each elector has a party
voting number, and the ballot he re-
ceives bears that number on the end
thereof. Each elector of each party
has separate and distinct voting num-
Der in his precinct.
Third, the return envelope contain
ing his primary ballot must bear his
full signature in ink, which must cor
respond with the signature on his
original affidavit Of registration.
when the voters ballot is received
it is first checked by a comparison of
signatures. 1t is next checked by OBJ
serving the color of his ballot which
must correspond to the color of his
party ballot. 1t is checked lastly by
comparing the number on the ballot
with his voting number on the orig
inal affidavit of registration.
"If it be found to be genuine in all
three respects, it is then deposited in
a general ballot box without being
opened. There can be no question,
then, but that the original vote of each
elector will be received and recorded;
any attempt to vote twice or to cast
another mans vote or to stuff the
ballots would at once be detected by
each and all of the checks 1 have re-
ferred to.
This. then, secures an honest bal
Ia nm