Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1882 — No Use for Rifle Clubs. [ARTICLE]

No Use for Rifle Clubs.

It is said that ex-Congressman Acklen, of unsavory reputation, is the author of the new election law in Louisiana. The inventor, whoever he may be, is entitled to the credit of having distanced all competitors in the great Southern struggle for the best machinery to prevent a free ballot. Acklen’s plan is far simpler than brutal and troublesome bulldozing and intimidation, or fussy stuffing of ballot boxes. The new Louisiana election law provides that no ballot shall be received or counted unless printed on paper of a pecular quality, tint and thickness, to be furnished by the Secretory of State, after due form of application. This is simplicity indeed. The Secretary of State is a Democrat. He controls the precious material of which an alleged freeman’s ballot is composed. He decides from this time forth who shall cast a vote in Louisiana. Should this plan be adopted throughout the Southern States rifle clubs may be disbanded, night riders be permitted to sleep at home, and the use of tissue-paper ballots be abandoned. In effect, a partisan officer will cast the vote of each entire State, and a solid South be once moro made secure. — Ne>r York Times.