The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-12-10
way uNoEMocRATIcF

nv a class OF newspapers NA1 poiiSi
clans as un-Democratie, uncOnstitu-
tional and vicious. So far. however
no one has attempted to give any
reasons why this legislation should
he characterized with such approbious
epithets. But the mere repetition OF
a Islander not infrequently creates In
the public mind a belief that there Is
substantial foundation for its eircula-
ton.
MANY good men and true Democrats
have been misled by the oft-repeated
charge that the recent election law Is
snbversive Of the rights Of free peo-
ole. inimical to the interests OF the
Democratic party. veritable league
with the devil and covenant with
hell Mature reflection and unbiased
investigation will soon demonstrate
IN them that no fairer, more Demo
cratic or more equitable provisions
we're ever made for the holding OF
elections and the counting of the bal
lots than are guaranteed by this meas
nre that has been the subject OF SO
much abuse and Misrepresentation oy
selfish newspapers and designing poh
ticians.
1t should be the prime purpose ana
chief aim of every election law 70
safeguard the ballot; to protect the
people against fraud; to guarantee
that their will as expressed at the
ballot box will be fairly and honestly
registered. Honest elections are es-
sential to Democratic institutions. The
man who embezzles power through
fraudulent votes is not only a thleI
but a traitor to his country me
very foundation stones OF our lnsu-
tutions are shaken when the people
caase to have confidence in the integ-
r;tv Of their election machinery No
duty is more incumbent upon the Leg
islature of a free people than the
enactment of laws to protect the bal
lot HOY from fraud, force and corrup-
ton. Now did the recent Assembly
do this?
A careful and impartial analysis OF
the law will show that it throws every
possible guarantee around the oaiio'
box. 1t gives to the minority party
actual, genuine, bona fide representa-
ton at the polls, something that the
Patterson law of 1907 and the Green
law of 1897 did not do. Can any non
est man, any citizen whose only inter
est in government is born OF a desire
To have it honestly, faithfully ana
economically administered, say that
+b;s nroyision in not fair and just? IL
the Democratic party rests LOT us
nerpetuity in Tennessee alone upon
ballot frauds it should be kicked out
of the state house, and the sooner the
hatter AS a Democrat The Herald
denies the SANDER of the administra-
ton organs that fair election law is
inimical to the interests OF that party
If the Democratic party cannot WIN
on its merit in fair and open con-
test it ought not to win. Tnere are
worse things than honorable defeat
and not among the least of them is a
victory through fraud and force
Aside from the fact that 1t guaran-
tees fair and honest representation 10
both PARTIES at the polls and that the
State machinery is appointed by the
LEGISLATURE instead of the Governor
+bera is no material difference between
the present act and that fathered oy
Patterson in 1907. Who will say that
a LEGISLATURE of 1872 members is not
a safer body to entrust with the TASK
Of selecting the election machinery Oh
the state than the Governor, one man
and he frequently candidate Tor re-
election and therefore personally ana
directly interested in the returns from
every voting place in the State? Wnicn
method is the more Democratic, tnat
which vests these appointments IN the
neonle,s direct representatives or In
one man?
Fairly analysed the attack upon the
election law is veritable house OF
cards. The opposition has built a
hugaboo man and is now engaged IN
the pleasing task of demolishing MIN
There is neither rhyme nor reason In
the attacks upon the election law. II
eliminates largely from papers VINO
through its operation are deprived OF
q little patronage and from politicians
who are afraid to risk an expression
OF the popular will.
SHOP EARLY AND IN COLUMBIA.
one of the duties which Christmas