Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1890 — BALLOT REFORM. [ARTICLE]

BALLOT REFORM.

Governor Brackett Speaks of the New Law in Massachusetts. Governor Brackett sent his first message to the Massachusetts Legislature on the 2d. On the subject of ballot reform, he says: “The first elections under what is popularly known as the Australian system have recently been held and have demonstrated the great advantages of the new method of voting. In view of its success and the importance of the primary meetings in influencing our elections, I suggest that you consider the advisability of legislation applying the new method, as far as is practicable to such meetings. The Legislature has already enacted a law for their regulation, and any additional measures which would increase public interestand strengthen -confidence nr them and render them more fullj representative of the will of the people would bo promotive of good government.” On the subject of electricity he says: “The recent disastrous conflagrations in Lynn and Boston forcibly suggest the importance of your considering whether, by the revision of the building laws and measures for their better enforcement, or by other pertinent legislation, more effective safeguards can not be provided, which will diminish the danger of such disasters in the future. The. report that the Boston fire was caused by an electric wire, and the accidents almost daily occurring from the same cause, admonish us that, while electricity has been made so largely sub - servient to the uses and conveniences of civ ilization, it is adding to the insecurity of life and property. The necessity is urgent for the enactment of laws for the supervision and regulation of electric wires wherever they exist, and for such other carefully matured measures as will, without impairing the use of electricity, lessen the perils attendant thereon.”.