The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-03-15


left with some official where 1t coulC
be signed by those wishing to sign
1t, instead OF being circulated BY
those who would solicit signers. Thi
would not prevent the use OF the re
call in an emergency, but II such a
provision we're inserted in the law
the percentage should be made lowel
tion.
Would include Judges.
In discussing the recall l have as
sumed that it would apply without
discrimination against all officials, in
cluding the judiciary. The argumen'
that a Judge should be exemp; fron
the operation Of the recall, even whei
1t is applied to other officials, has n
sound foundation. A Judge is as much
pablic servant as anyone else, If q
judge is wrongfully removed after the
people have been given an opportun-
ity to investigate the charges made
against him and after passion and
excitement have had time to die-lf
under these conditions the people still
do injustice to a Judge, society can
better afford to risk such occasional
injustice than to remove the judge
beyond the reach of the people. If a
Judge is unjustly removed, the people
will make amends for II when they
discover their error.
1t is not necessary to reply to the
argument that the recall will make
towards of judges; the judge who
would be swerved by fear of a recall
would not be fit for the place any
how. Possibly the recall might serve
as sifting process with which to
eliminate those unworthy to wear the
ermine. With the recall, official terms
may with safety be made longer.
And speaking Of the length OF
terms, the tendency Is toward making
an executive ineligible to reelection
His duties are 80 responsible and his
influence SO extended that he should
be free to devote his best energies to
public affairs, and no one can devote
his best energies to the public IL his
vision is clouded by political aspira.
tions or his judgment perverted by
personal considerations. The state
needs quickened conscience and an
unbiased judgment in its executive
and ineligibility to reelection largely
contributes toward both. A governor
Is apt to misuse the patronage at his
disposal IL his heart Is bent upon an.
other term.
Elections and Primaries.
The constitution, which you are pre-
pairing, will designate the means by
which the electors will exercise their
sovereign power at the polls. It may
be taken for granted that you will
employ what Is known as the Aus
tralian ballot, which insures secrecy
While we admire the courage dis
played by those who openly announce
a position and accept whatever re
sponsibility may come with the an
nouncement. we cannot be blind tc
the fact that, under present industrial
conditions. an open ballot jeopardizes
the occupation OF the employe wheI
the employer Is unprincipled enough
to attempt to force HIS political views
upon those who work for him. The
secret ballot Is the only means tha
we now have Of safeguarding voter.
who are industrially dependent upor
| others.
In this connection I may add tina
the reasons for secrecy do not extent
to persons acting in representativ,
capacity. On the contrary secrec!
is intolerable IN a representative Hi
constituents have a right TO know
what he does, and, therefore, mos
modern constitutions require a rol
call on the measures passing q legis
lative body. This rule may well b.
extended to party caucuses. There 4
no good reason why the same apple,
to legislatures should not apply to tn
caucus. 1t Ia even more necessary
because the desire to preserve the an
pearance OF party harmony may pre-
vent roll call In party caucus, un
less the roll call is compulsory. Pub
lefty is both prevention and a puri
fer; the constituent cannot have to-
much light thrown upon the conduc
Of his representatives.
And while on the subject of pub
licity, suggest that newspaper
should be required to make public tn
names OF their owners and the name
OF creditors also. where the indebted
ness Ia large enough to control tn
papers policy.
The election board should be b
partisan, beginning with the Judge
who preside over the polling plac
and following up to the highest car
vasslng board Of the state, where tn
returns are inspected and the resul
finally declared. Both sides shoul
be represented; In no other way cal
an honest count be secured. And
bi partisan board. to deserve tn
name, must be composed OF member
selected by tho parties which the
represent. Where the dominant pa,
ty selects the representatives OF tn
minority party. as we'll as It's ow
representatives, the minority repre-
sentativeB do not. as q rule refiec