Los Angeles Herald

A High-Handed Outrage.

Editors Herald: Attorney-General Hart has acquired an unenviable notoriety in regard to his decision on the ballot law, and in due course of time he will learn that it is a dangerous and suicidal policy for a party in power to place obstructions in the way of men who desire to effect reforms by peaceable means. The Australian ballot system is not meant to put any political party at a disadvantage when it conforms to the law. The political party which is compelled by law to secure 5 per cent of the voters to its certificates of nomination is entitled to the same consideration and advantages as the party which nominates by convention, and section 1188 of the political code provides for this. Here are the words: "Such a certificate, when made as above prescribed, shall have the same effect as a certificate of nomination made by a party convention."
Now the effect upon a county clerk of a nomination certificate, signed by a chairman and secretary of a convention, is to cause him to print every candidate's name on the ballot, his political complexion, and a heading at the top of the ballot. He has no other alternative. And this same effect shall also occur in regard to the other form of certificate. Should the clerk refuse to obey the law, he can be compelled to do his duty by the supreme court. The air is full of lamentations and imprecations over the decision, but our party will gain a few thousand votes to repay for the agony. All such petty attempts to muzzle the voice of the people will only make them shout the louder.
A. VINETTE.