The Alaska daily empire., 1915-04-21
ELEcrloN aLL sHoRr oT NARN-

While the election bu cha, passed the Senate yes teraay improves instances the present election system as applicable to Territorial elections 1t falls de- plorably short of the mark R only fails to close the door against fraud but in glaring instance 1t opens it so wide as to all but invite it.
 lt Is true. the biu provides punishment tor election frauds but experience has demonstrated that there are always and everywhere men who will take chances and tha, the only way have clean election is to keep uncean ballots from setting into the ballot boxes The harm is done when the fraudulent ballots are east and punishment Of those guilty for them does not rem edy the evil IL Is seldom indeed that proceedings sub seouen to the baotng have succeeded in purifying an impure election matter of fact the instances or nactng punishment upon those guilty of violating cleo tion laws are rare and far between. The disposition everywhere and nearly always is to let the matter drop after election There are many reasons why this IS so Among them is the circumstance that those who have prodtted by the fraudulent voting too often become partcsns of the wrong doers and those who seek to secure convictions are accused of not being good losers
 The prosecutions are often looked upon the result of the sting of defeat rather than righteous desire to punish crime.
 The Senate improved the election bln by adding a corrupt practices act simply provides for punish ing for the prescribed acts after the harm has been done It locks the stable door after the horse has been stolen.
 As the bill goes back to the House it fails to pro vide for the registration Of voters previous to election even in the municipalities where the damage is greatest The need for such registration has been recognized by practically every town in Alaska Why should we take more chances with fraud in choosing Delegate to Con- eress and Legislature chan in the selection of town eounclmene There is no doubt but that there was i legal voting al Juneau last general election be- cause of the lack Of registration and doubt there has been Illegal voting in other Alaska from the same cause.
 The bn # 1t should become a law, would permit a man who gill swear that he qualified to vote in one precinct in a division to vote in precinct in that dvlsion-and if he is willing to take the chance in any or all of them The failure require registration before election makes this provision particularly dang erous. Almost it might be called invitation for fraudulent votlng These two provisions of the b per hap are not so dangerous in other sections of the Ter rtory as they are in the fast growing towns on the coast but they are dangerous in any country where there is @ transient population
 Registration should be provided so that lists could be checked before fraudulent ballots have carried their aint into Che ballot box and the right of the neran' voter 10 the franchise should be clearly established in advance of the counting of his ballot By no other means can we be safe from the pollution of our elections
 The corrupt practices act should carry least two other provisions It should make t unlawful Go em- pov hired workers" and should require publicity of campaign contributions and expenditures both before and after the election long ts hired workers are permitted there will be yotebuying. And publicity of eampan contributions and expenditures gives che voters information to which they have right