The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-13
PR0GRESS|vES OF
CONTINUED from First page.)

ciples should be applied to all oficials
who prove unworthy OF public trust,
and that they should be subject to re-
call by the same authorities which Sc
lect or appoint them. In business
transactions men who find themselves
or servants may discharge them. There
is no good reason why the public. when
deceived, should have to remain de-
ceived for term of years. The pub
lie have as much right to correct their
mistakes as have individuals.
These principles are not new and
untried. They have the sanction of
years of experience both in American
Commonwealths and abroad They
are approved by Woodrow Wilson. a
lifelong student of governmental
science. and man who cannot longer
be called theorist, but has by his wise
and efficient administration of the af-
fairs of state and nation, proven him
self practical statesman Of the high
est type.
Section - of the constitution Of Viz
ginia requires the general assembly to
provide for the correction Of Illegal or
provides that the general assembly
shall enact such laws as may secure
regularity and purity In primary and
general elections. The fact that these
provisions of our constitution have
been in force nearly twelve years and
no adequate laws passed in pursuance
thereof. justifes us In the declaration
that the general assembly Of Virginia
has unreasonably delayed obedience to
ha n IN tau ~ n r4i 20
point out that our present election
laws are vitality defective in the fol-
lowing respects:
L. No punishment lis provided for Ger
tain classes of election frauds, while
In other cases wilful and deliberate
fraud is ciassed as a nisdemeanor for
which is prescribed the lightest pun
tshment known TO our penal laws. We
believe that wilful and deliberate fraud
in elections Is treason to the State
and should be punishable as fl felony.
g Although section Is of the consti-
tuition above referred to requires the
enactment OF measures for the correc-
ton OF Illegal and fraudulent regis
trstion. and although man denied
registration may have redress in the
courts. yet a registrar may improperly
fill the books with the names of Illegal
voters and the courts have no juris-
diction to purge the books.
3. The law does not require election
officials to preserve and account for
the unused ballots, the preservation of
which would afford an additional OPP
portunity fer testing the. accuracy and
honesty of the election. but on the
other hand. the law invites fraud by
requiring the election Judges to de
stroy the unused ballots. thereby the
dishonest election official la actually
required TO destroy the evidences of
his own fraud.
T. The Judges and clerks in primary
elections are agents and appointees Of
partisan committees. when az matter
Of fact they should be appointed in the
same manner as provided by the laws
governing general elections.
s. There is no law prohibiting clerks
and judges thus selected from using
their influence at the polls for or
against candidates. 1t is the common
practice in some parts Of the State for
the judges and clerks OF election while
in the performance of their duties to
use their influence actively to effect
the result of the election. Such prac-
tees now permitted by law give these
election officials an undue and unfair
influence and prevent a free and un-