For instance: a

wealthy manufacturer or contractor might say to the hundreds of citizens in his employment, "Vote for my friends, or I will discharge you from my works." Now if Americans were to vote as the English do, viva voce, that is by speaking the names of the persons voted for, the employer could note each man's vote, and could discharge those who voted against his interest. (The viva voce method of voting was kept up in England apparently to enable the nobility to control the votes of their tenants; hence the long-continued opposition of the House of Lords to the recent introduction of the ballot in that country.) But as the ballot is secret, no man knows how another votes, and thus the free choice of the individual is protected. Even the employés of the Government may vote against the administration; no one can call them to account for what cannot be proved.* 204. Is all voting in the United States done by ballot? All voting by the people at elections in the Northern and Western States is required by law to be done by ballot. But in the State Legislatures, and in Congress, all voting is by "Yeas and Nays." That is, each member speaks his vote aloud, so that it may be heard by all present, and recorded by the clerk. The reason of this is, that legislators are the servants of the people, to whom they are responsible for all their public actions. But the people would not know whether to approve or condemn their acts, unless it were known exactly what they have done. The legislator is judged by his record, and this is found in the books of the clerk of the House of which he is a member, and is

also published in the newspapers from day t licity here is as essential as secrecy is in ele people.

205. How is voting managed at public me those of associations and corporations?

The presiding officer after stating the moti "All in favor of this motion will signify it by s Contrary minded will say "No." He jud sound whether the Ayes or Noes are most But sometimes they are so nearly equal that ful. A "division " is then ordered. Somet effected by his calling out "all in favor of will hold up their right hands." These being the same request to all opposed to do likewise question. Or the two sides rise and go to th sides of the room, where they remain until cou

But at meetings of politic 1 conventio for the purpose of making nominations f the choice of candidates is generally eff ballot. So also at elections of officers by and corporations.

NOTE. (a) The writer is, of course aware of the many sorted to by political parties, in so marking the backs of t colors, vignettes, etc, that their challengers at the polls the political complexion of every voter. But this practic efficient for the purposes of party drill, is subversive of the idea of the secrecy of the ballot. Probably none of the ma tions of that numerous class who are ever seeking to bend lar will to their own private advantage, has done more inju institutions than this, whereby the party whip has b effectively applied to the backs of thousands, who otherwi have voted for the best men, regardless of party; that is, citizens, rather than party slaves. The new California C

n day to day. Pub

in elections by the

lic meetings, and d

ne motion calls out." y it by saying Aye." He judges by the

e most numerous. al that he is doubtSometimes this is

Tor of the motion se being counted, ikewise settles the go to the opposite ntil counted. ventions called tions for office, lly effected by ers by societies

ne many devices re acks of tickets with he polls may know 3 practice, though ve of the American

of the many invento bend the popu

pore injury to our has been most otherwise might that is, as free ornia Code, has

(1872) thrown such restrictions about the ballot, as to render it impos sible for any one save the voter, to know for whom he has voted. It i time that the law everywhere forbade all infringements upon th primordial right of a "free ballot."

LESSON XVIII.

OF UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE.

206. What is the meaning of the term "Universal Suffrage?

It means that all qualified male citizens shall have the right to one vote each,, without regard to their birth, their wealth, religion, attainments, or position in society. It is a term not strictly accurate, because the privilege of voting is far from being universal. Thus women, children, convicts, insane persons, foreign-born men who have not become naturalized, and citizens of other States who have not " acquired a residence," are not entitled to vote in any State. But the term "Universal Suffrage" has been adopted in America, in opposition to the "limited" or "qualified" suffrage of England, which allows only those persons who have a clear income of a certain sum per year to vote at elections.

207. Why are not the several classes of people mentioned in the last section allowed to vote?

Women are excluded for the reasons given in Sec.

206. Define the term "Universal Suffrage" as used in the United States? Is the term an accurate one? Who are not allowed to vote? Why has the term "universal," as applied to suffrage, been adopted in America? Define "limited or "qualified" suffrage?

207. Why are women not allowed to vote?

Child

104, and also because, according to the vie prevailing, their natural sphere is the family domestic occupations of the home and of so exclusively occupy them. These occupation: laid aside, in order that women should cor selves in public matters, without great inju more important duties.

Children are excluded, because they canno cient knowledge to take part in the governm country.

Convicts are excluded, as those who breal are not fit to have any voice in making them. sons convicted of felonies, that is, crimes who ment is confinement in the State Prison, are d their votes forever after, unless pardoned by ernor before the expiration of the terms of thei ive sentences.

Insane persons are of course unfit to have o the right of suffrage.

Foreigners cannot be expected to unders complex system of government, or to have any in the result of an election. If they desire to citizens, they can easily do so by complying law. If not, their votes might be cast in the in a foreign nation.

And citizens of other States, having the rigl frage at their own homes, cannot enjoy this righ places at once.

208. Considering that a large part of legislation in making laws about property, and in levying taxe

208. Why is not the English plan of requiring voters to own prop than the American plan? Which is the most important. 120

ne views hitherto amily, where the of society should ations cannot be Id concern themt injury to their

cannot have suff vernment of the

break the laws them. All per s whose punishare deprived of ed by the Gor of their respect

ave or exercise

nderstand our e any interest sire to become ving with the

he interest of

right of sufright in two

ation consists faxes, why is

property better liberty, or prop

Have they in

ours?

Because another and more important portion o law-making, and a large proportion of the duties o the executive and judiciary, (who are often electiv in the United States, but not in Great Britain) relate to the protection of life and liberty, in which all are alike concerned, whether rich or poor; while those laws relating to property only do not concern the poorer classes. Also, because no one can be voted for unless he be himself a citizen and entitled to vote. Now, it often happens that well educated men are poor, so that if none except men of property were allowed to vote, some of the best minds in the country would be denied any voice in the administration of the Government.

209. Who then are entitled to vote in the United States? A. Every man, white or black, born in the United States, who is at least twenty-one years old, and has resided six months* or more in the State, and thirty days or more previous to the election in the county or precinct where he claims to vote. But Indians not taxed are excluded from the ballot.

B. All foreign-born men at least twenty-one years old, who have become naturalized citizens of the United States. And this any foreigner may do by a residence of five years, provided that at least two years before his application for admission as a citizen he shall have declared upon oath, before a court, that he intends to become an American citizen; and at the expiration of the five years he swears to support the Constitution of

*In some States, twelve months' residence is required.

209 Who are entitled to vote in the Tinited S