The Cordova daily times., 1915-04-24
GENERAL DEMAND FOR A UNIFORM
 ELECTION LAW IN THIS TERRITORY
HE question of election law that is up before the Senate the present time is of the matters of grea


 importance that demand attention of the Alaska legs ature this session. The free full and unrammeled ex presson the popular will depends great deal upon the ma cnery securing the expression and ths IS the thing that should be given consideration above all matters of politics by the members legislature in considering election law
 To reach desired the law should provide for fair and regular primaries and prevent illegal voting and the rupt money The direct primary the best and fares way permit the trammeed expression of the peoples con- vicons and desires. Regstraonin centers where votes are numerous easprovdes the only safe to protect against illegal voting Publicity in regard to campaign
 buon and the of the expenditure of the for election purposes together with reasonable regulations to the in which may be lawful to expend money are safe methods of providing against corruption An election law that does not meet all of these conditions deuson and a
 The election law should provide for direct primaries, less that should be decided to be too expensive at this time The Empire believes that the results that would follow direct primary law would be we'll worth the cost It is the surest and most satisfactory machine smashing implement that has been put in the hands of the people during late years How understand that of the members of the egsa ure believe the direct primary to be mpractcabe If that
 the law should least provide for the holding pr maries by all the political parties the day. and make crime for voter to participate the primary of than political party in the year. It should be made i'm possible for political machine to control the primaries of more than political party.
 There should be registration in the municipalities at least The cost of this would be practically nothing It the only safe way to prevent illegal voting It has mated that there from 50 to 100 illegal votes u neau alone at the last general election and possibly than that many in other Southeastern Alaska communities The registration books should be closed Oto 20 days be lore the eecton and thus the people opportunity check up and prove the legality of the lists.
 The provision in the election bl passed the house. which gives who qualified one precinct of al division the privilege of voting another precinct that d vslOn should be stricken out It opens wide the gate fraud The end sought be obtained by the provision could be reached perhaps in another way For instance precinct who happens be another precinct his dvs ion on election day. could be allowed to make oath to his qualifications ballot and mark it seal it in sepa envelope the election returned with the other official election returns and counted by the canvassing board law providing method similar this IS in effect n Kansas and is said to work we'll But it would be far safer the community require voters else the franchise their precincts not at all than permit the law to stand as it passed the house.
 The law should also make unlawful to engage paid workers at the polls elsewhere election day before The favorte method of buying votes is pay certain for his services election day His services frequently consist of voting for the candidate the interest of whom he gets his pay The law could also very well limit the of that candidate for office expend have pended in his behalf The without funds should have chance at elections with who has wealth. The law should require beginning time before election the filing at stated periods of complete lists of campaign contributions giving the of contributors and the amounts donated likewise be filed This provision should apply to cand dates and campaign committees and should safeguard against secret expenditures by private parties behalf of candidates
 Of course Australian ballot should be provided
 THE TIME HAS ALREADY ARRIVED WHEN THESE SAFEGUARDS SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN ALASKA THE NEED FOR THEM HAS ALREADY BEEN FELT Any election law that does provide them will fall short of the mark-Juneau Empire.