The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-01-03

not the case. 1t Ia claimed that the
present party column ballot is easy
for the ignorant voter to vote the
straight party ticket, but It is difficult
for the indepedent voter to split the
party ticket The double system OF
marking the ballot with circle on the
top and squares at the side gives rise
tc endless confusion. Many voters
mark the squares to the side OF the
first name on the ticket believing that
this mark votes the whole ticket. Elec-
ton inspectors say that one voter in
ten fails to mark his ballot properly,
indicating that $4,000 Michigan voters
or in part, by the present complicated
ballot. Our ballot should be changed
to the genuine Australian Ballot sim
liar to that provided by the Massa-
chusetts law. The advantage in this
ballot is, that there is but one way to
mark it. No complicated instructions
are necessary. In voting, each candi-
dates name comes under the eyes of
the voter and he places cross in
front of the name of every man he
wishes to vote for.
Furthermore, recommend a cor
rupt practices act, providing for the
Limitation of expenditures and the pub
LEGATION of these expenditures both be-
fore and after primary and regular
elections.
Short Ballot.
Many citizens think that the people
are called on to elect too many offic-
ials. An examination OF our election
returns for many years will disclose
the fact that the peopel exercise much
independence. in voting for Governor,
some in selecting Lieutenant Gov
ernor, but below that Office the can
didates for the same Offices receive
practically the same vote regardless
of their individual merits. If, for ex-
ample. anything goes wrong in the
State Terasurer's Office the blame is
promptly laid on the Governor, al
though he has no control over that
office.
In the interest of better government
and shorter ballot, why would it not
be good idea to submit a constitu-
tional amendment providing for the
election of Governor and Lieutenant
Governor and that the remainder of
the elective state officials be appointed
by the Governor and to act as his cab
met and advisors in state affairs. The
ballot could also be shortened by abol-
ishing the Offices of Circuit Court Com
missioners and Coroners and provid-
ing that Justices of the Peace may
perform the duties of these officials.
Publicity for Candidates.
1t Is necessary that each candidate
should get his name and ideas on
public questions before the public.
advertising is very expens-
i've. In this form of publicity the rich
man has an advantage over his poorer
brother. Small fortunes are frequent
~ spent to gain single, Office that
doesn't pay one-half of the amount In
return salary. suggest that the Ore
gon system of publicity be carefully
considered. In that state an election
pamphlet is published by the state.
Each candidate of every party paying
a nominal sum can have a certain
amount of space, give his biography
and views of public questions and If
some proposition or enactment is sub
mitted, it is printed in full in this
pamphlet and an argument for or
against by its most active advocate
or enemy Is also printed. This pam
phlet Is mailed at the states expense
to every registered voter ninety days
before election. AS a result of this
publicity pamphlet, Oregon has be-
come great school for the study OF
political questions.
Election Of United States Senators.
Congress has submitted to the vari-
Gus State Legislatures for their an
prevail an amendment to the Federol
Constitution providing for the election
Of senators by popular vote. Would
II not be an honor to Michigan to be
the first to ratify this amendment?
Home Rule.
The present Home Rule Law should
be amended so as to give to all cities
Home Rule to the fullest extent per-
MISSILE under the constitution. Par
tcularly should the law be amended
so as to provide for the recall of all
municipal officials and direct legisla-
ton by initiative petitions signed by
not less than 10 per cent of the elect
ors; also for the separation of munic-
ipal elections from the general No
vember elections.
The people at the last election
amended the constitution to provide
for Micro moal charter lepielation Do