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Editorial
January 2, 1889
Smyrna Times
Smyrna, Kent County, Delaware
What is this article about?
The editorial endorses a Dover Index communication urging petitions to the legislature for laws curbing election bribery, stressing that bought or intimidated votes undermine public opinion and the right to vote, endangering the republic if unchecked.
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Full Text
That there is a growing sentiment in favor of greater purity at our elections is attested by the following from the Dover Index:
"We publish in another column a communication from Mr. Brothers, urging the people to petition the approaching Legislature for a law that will prevent or curtail the vice of bribery at elections. This is a move in the right direction, and we hope the people will take hold of it in good earnest. Unless the practice of buying votes at the elections is broken up, the expression of public opinion through the medium of the ballot box will soon be practically ended. The right to vote is one of the highest privileges of an American citizen, and ought not to be the subject of either barter or intimidation." A bought vote, or one procured by threats, represents nothing but the money of the purchaser or the will of the bulldozer. We believe the Republic stands in no danger if the methods of ascertaining the honest sense of the people upon matters of a public nature are kept free from such vices.
"We publish in another column a communication from Mr. Brothers, urging the people to petition the approaching Legislature for a law that will prevent or curtail the vice of bribery at elections. This is a move in the right direction, and we hope the people will take hold of it in good earnest. Unless the practice of buying votes at the elections is broken up, the expression of public opinion through the medium of the ballot box will soon be practically ended. The right to vote is one of the highest privileges of an American citizen, and ought not to be the subject of either barter or intimidation." A bought vote, or one procured by threats, represents nothing but the money of the purchaser or the will of the bulldozer. We believe the Republic stands in no danger if the methods of ascertaining the honest sense of the people upon matters of a public nature are kept free from such vices.
What sub-type of article is it?
Suffrage
Partisan Politics
Crime Or Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Election Bribery
Voting Rights
Electoral Purity
Petition Legislature
Ballot Integrity
What entities or persons were involved?
Dover Index
Mr. Brothers
Legislature
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Preventing Bribery At Elections
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Anti Bribery Legislation
Key Figures
Dover Index
Mr. Brothers
Legislature
Key Arguments
Growing Sentiment For Election Purity
Urge Petitions For Law Against Bribery
Buying Votes Ends Public Opinion Via Ballot
Voting Right Not For Barter Or Intimidation
Bought Or Threatened Votes Represent Only Purchaser's Money Or Will
Republic Safe With Honest Election Methods