Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1913-01-02
Record Furnishes Message I'm
mediately Following Delivery
Simpfed Primary Law and Other Important Acts Noted
for Consideration--New Governor Makes Many Valu-
able SuggeStionS-Osborns ExAugural Follows

for the Recall should not require more
than 25 per cent of the voters of the
district. This percentage has the ap-
proval OF all Of the authorities on this
subject.
Bailot Reform.
II the people are to rule through
the agency Of the ballot at the election
primary, they must simplify our cleo
tion primary laws. Possibly we are un-
der the delusion that we have had the
Australian Ballot system for many
years. but as matter of fact. such is
not the case. 1t is claimed that the
present party column ballot is easy
for the ignorant voter to vote the
straight party ticket, but 1t is difficult
for the indepedent voter to split the
party ticket. The double system OF
marking the ballot with a 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
ere annually disfranchised, in whole
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-
nHnO 10 hn Cd N
ballot Is, that there is but one way to
mark It. No complicated instructions
ere 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 cor
rupt practices act, providing for the
limitation Of expenditures and the pub
lication 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 oftic-
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 a 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 Terasurers 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 a shorter ballot, why would 1t not
be a 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
ballet 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.
II Is necessary that each candidate
should get his name and ideas on
public questions before the public.
Newspaper 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
ly spent to gain a 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 |
n 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, IL 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 a great school for the study OF
political questions.
Election Of United States Senators.