Staunton Spectator

For the Spectator.

Messrs. Editors:—The new Constitution provides that "In all elections votes shall be given openly or viva voce and not by ballot, but persons entitled to suffrage may vote by ballot." This is a very plain provision and easily understood. But we are told that it can't be carried out to the letter, and a ticket system has been adopted which we are told carries out the spirit of the Constitution and accommodates the people. This I deny.

In all well ordered governments pains should be taken to keep the elective franchise pure and free from improper influences. Some have thought the viva voce system best, whilst others have thought the ballot system best. The advantages of the viva voce system are that the voter is required openly to say for whom he votes and cannot be interfered with whilst he is voting, and notwithstanding there may be improper influences operating upon him, it is an open act. By the secret ballot system the voter can if he will free himself from the influence of others by putting in his ballot without any one knowing how he votes.

What is the effect of the system we have adopted? It is neither the one nor the other, but partakes of all the evils of both without any of the good. It throws the innocent, credulous and unsuspecting voter completely into the hands of the unscrupulous partizan, and enables him to hold on until he has accomplished his purpose. He not only makes up his ticket for him, but follows him to see whether he votes it. The voter hands it in and walks off the unthinking tool or automaton of another who has some object in view dear to himself.

This system, Messrs. Editors, has been established, and there is no getting rid of it without a change in the Constitution. We have already begun to reap the fruits of it. On the day of our elections, and for several days thereafter, we hear men deploring the evils passing under their eyes, and are compelled to turn away with perfect disgust, feeling pity for those who are willing to be made tools of and a contempt for those who are willing to control the votes of their neighbors by improper appliances, often with a drink of grog and often with something far worse. One of two things ought to be done, either so alter the Constitution that the people will have fewer officers to elect, or so alter as to give us the ballot system in full. I must confess I am in favor of the first. We have acknowledged that we are overtasked, by the introduction of the present system; that we can't get along without the aid of pen, ink and paper—those of us that can write—and those of us that cannot are compelled to call in the aid of politicians to instruct us who we shall vote for. I love the people and want to see them relieved. Of such magnitude do I regard the evil referred to, that I wish to see the matter tested, and tested at once. If there is disinterested patriotism enough left in the country, outside of those who want to lead and those willing to be led, it can be done. If there is not, the sooner things come to an end the better. I would rather be ruled by an Alexander or Napoleon than by irresponsible, unscrupulous partizans and politicians, as much as I might dislike it.

C.