The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1914-06-12
TRIED AND
FOUND WANTING.

has in some of its hitherto unassailed
provisions brought to light its great
est weaknesses and lack of adaptable
ty to conditions in this state.
In theory it is good. 1t gives demo-
Gratis and republicans and socialists
and what-nots control of their respec-
tive party organizations. 1t prevents
republicans from assisting democrats
to make nominations in the democrat
ic party, and wise versa.
1t saves the cost and trouble Of the
second primary.
But it requires too much eXplana-
ton. Men grow weary and red in the
face trying to explain the second
choice" problem, only to find that their
auditors have become even more mud
died.
This second choice problem, howev-
err, ceases to be a problem when look
ed at intelligently. Section so of the
law explains the count as plainly as
the English language can make it. The
provision is good one, and its oper-
alton does save the expense of sec
ond primary. But
The intricacies of correct tabula-
ton of these second choice votes is
beyond the comprehension of the av-
erage election inspector.
And more. The law in its applica-
ton to the work of the County Can
vassing Board is not understood. At
least it was not understood by the
Putnam county board at its meeting
last Thursday afternoon, though that
board was composed of some of the
brightest men in the county.
Here is the instance illustrative of
that misunderstanding.
Putnam county had five candidates
in the field for members of the Eou g
OF Representatives, viz. Mckenzie,
Rabers, Bassett, Curry and Tilghman.
On the count eff the first choice voies
1t was founG that Mr. Mckenzie had
a majority. Under the law he was
nominated. Tilghman, Bassettt, Ea-
bcrs and Curry we're the only ones 70
be considered. Tilghman and Bassett
were the two highest, therefore Curry
and Babers should have been dropped
and the nomination of Tilghman OF
Bassett determined by adding to
their first choice votes the second |
choice votes Of those whose first
choice votes had been cast for the can
didates excluded
"The candidate then having to his
credit the greater number of votes
thus ascertained shall be declared |
nominated for such Office" says the
law
But the Board of Canvassers didn't
do this. They excluded Mr.. Curry,
(the low mani and divided the second
choice votes on his tickets between
Mr.. Mckenzie, who had already been
and Mr.. Babers who
couldn't be nominated, and Messrs /
and Bassett who alone were
entitled to them under the law.
The law says, Section so:
IF no candidate shall receive
such majority Of first choice votes,
IiieIL IILe Ionl.u9tloiI IoL SucL oHice
fronl fTrtbor rnmsiGoratSio,, f6n ra17
didacv of all except the TWO can
didates who shall have received 7
t Lne greatest 3s ana next greatest num- ,
G.. - - 90 t,'''I w., 0 49, r w
'''1 '''7 '''''
" nv : WV ''' ~ ~ ''''''''''''e"' an"
0"' - ., !
dida+o @ e Io 'i o 'na,l 0 f,. 04 am,
same Office. and there are more can !
didates than should be properly
nominated therefor the method OF
C Cbn , SET ,ou'Jn II. GttLIo" I 5o
said nomination" O
The second choice votes in q ma q
ioritv Of the nracincts were not tain Z
,taJ CORRECTLY and in some instances v
not tabuIatad a+ all I
The worI, reorires some s+udv On v
he mart If the most intolIipar+ The J
method must be STUDIED OUT, The y
majority Of insnectors are NOT hook T
,eepers; thew are farmers and me- -
.hanics and men who have never civ L
N attention 70 methods of tabuIating +
eparating and recording statistical v
matters and figures. It is no wonder
hev Numbered
And because of their laundering the \