The midland journal., 1917-01-19

polls, or in registering, or for the
expense Of transportation to or from
the polls. No person shall pay fol
personal services to be performed on
the day of caucus, primary, con-
vention, or any election, for any pur-
pose connected Herewith, tending in
any way, directly or indirectly, to
affect the result thereof, except for
the hiring of persons whose sole
duty is to act as challengers and
watch the count or official ballot.
'It shall be unlawful for any per-
son at any place on the day of any
election to ask, solicit, or in any
manner try to induce or persuade
any voter on such election day to
vote for or refrain from voting for
any candidate, or the candidates or
ticket of any politica1 party or or
ganization, or any measure submit
ted to the people, and upon con-
viction thereof he shall be punished
by fine, etc."
The statute containing these sec
tions worked a revolution in the
State. Before the law was passed
Oregon was considered the most cor
rupt state in its elections of all the
United States, and the change has
been at least startling. Let Mary
land follow this lead.
In North Dakota, the laws is prac-
tically duplication of that of
Oregon.
The law of Alabama is simple and
direct, upon the points we are dis
cussing and declares among other
things that it shall be corrupt prac-
tice for any person on election day
"To hire or to let for hire any
automobile or other conveyance for
the purpose of conveying electors to
and from the polls, or. (4) to do any
electioneering or to solicit any votes
or to promise to cast any votes for
or against the election or nomination
of any candidate, or in support Of or
in opposition to any proposition that
is being voted on on the day on
which the election affecting such
candidates. or propositions is being
held"
Other provisions of election laws
are to be noted. In Kentucky the
county committees are authorized to
appoint challengers and inspectors
but they must appoint alternately
those among groups or rival fac
ions. In other words, Kentucky in
it's law recognizes what Maryland
does not. that the duty of party
committee is to represent the entire
party and not to be the instrument
of faction.
In Nevada no appointive off er is
allowed to be called on to contribute
to campaign expenses. In several
states, among them Florida, Oregon
and Nevada, anonymous and libelous
publications are prohibited unless
the candidate has" had an oppor-
tunity to reply number of dnys be-
fore the election. This stops the
practice existing in Maryland OF
circulating roorbacks few days be-
lore el0CLlUu SO Cllht tilc p0io AnOS'
affected has no possible opportunity
Of reply.
The best election law is none too
good for Maryland, and these sug-
gestions are offered so that we may
profit from the labors of other states.
We will not forget that we need
reform, not alone the law, but our
attitude toward the law. Let it not
be with us as in Venezuela during
The reign of Castro. A traveller who
had been told by Venezuelan of
Castro's violations 81 Jaw. remark
ed: But that is contrary to your
excellent constitution" To this the
Venezuelan replied scornfully:
What is the Constitution: It is a
book"
Hyattsville, Maryland,
January 18th, 1917.