The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-31
WEAKNESS OF rliE uuc,,.I..

WEAKNESS OF THE RECALL.
One of the most searching analyses
OF the question OF the recall of public
made by the Christian Science Moni.
tor. 1t Is.
1t is alleged that a careful rccheck-
ing OF the names affixed to petition
demanding the recall of the mayor
OFFS Western city reveals the fact that
out of 4,5i7 signatures, 2,37S arr:
fraudulent. This incident is taken in
some quarters as confirmation OF the
| Impression that resort to the recall
would promote rather than discourage
! political dishonesty This may, or
may not. be the fact; but the weak
ness of the recall. We believe. lies in
the petition process Even where the
petition contains only genuine names
and whether ii has relation to the
recall or to some ether mattcr-it is
OFTEN, just tn be obhging people sign
petitions with which they have no
sympathy Whatever.
Many OF the states and communi
ties after experimenting with numer-
Gus devices 10 protect the purity of
the ballot, have adopted the Australian
system of voting, mainly because it
booth the voter may mark his ballot
as he plcases. Nobody is looking over
his shoulder Nobody is trying Ia
influence him For the time being
the vital time in political contest
he is alone with his conscience No
matter how he may be bound uD in
personal and political obligations
during the campaign. he is now, at
last free agent, and il his instincts
ha H.
citizen.
The Australian ballot has done won.
ders for the uplift of the Americans
electorate. 1t dealt bossism It's frs,
and hardest blow Those whose eN-
perience runs back that TAR know full
well that political conditions today
are vastly improved over what they
were twenty years ago. TO this i'm
provement the Australian system OF
voting has been large contributor
The petition process is reversal
OF the Australian method. It under
takes TO commit voters openly to sun
port or opposition in cases where
they would prefer TO keep their senti.
ments to themselves They are led to
sign their names frequently in direct
contradiction OF their judgment and
conviction because OF social or pol!ti-
cal considerations. The petition PRO
Y.
1t is possible. OF course. that other
and better safeguards for the ballot
box, that other and more cmcctual
means Of recording the will OF the
people at the polls, may be found I'm
the future; but UP to the present time
the secret ballot has given greatest
satisfaction TO thoughtful and right.
minded people. The efforts Of the
ablcsi political reformers have been
directed through nn
ward releasing the ordinary voter
from outside influences. whether these
influences might be simply selfish or
wholly corrupt. TO this end every
form of intimida tion and bribery has
been made reprchensiblc in the sight
OF the law TO this end the former,
custom OF canrassing around the polls
mas been prohibited The employer
OF labor may no longer use undue
persuasion 1t is unsafe for anybody
10 indulge in intimidation Yet,
abortion Of tho petition process makes
possible return 10 all the evils eIiml-
mated by the secret ballot
If there Is to be Il recall az all ana
as TO this honest people differ widely.
II should be brought about through
instrumentalities that guarantee every
vote as he thinks best
4 H'S '' HISS out 1t lniGa 0ental fac
In regard TO pettions-that those
who sign them often do so without
thinking OK because they wish to be
accommodating TO the circulator of
the paper. Let MS look at the case of
recall Of judec--a state Supreme
Court Judge, for instance. Take n
given community and find out how
many would refuse TO sign a recall
petition against that judge. when a
popular local lawyer was circulating
the petition Ii is safe TO saw that
the latter would set many. many
names simply on account Of his pleas
ing personality Not enough would
the merits OF the question be consid
cred, Ignorant persons might be the
fundamentally in case of this sort
by which great Groundless move
ment might be started against good
man.
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CAPITAiIIhTION OF RACE PRIJu-