Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 February 1894 — “DISTINGUISHING MARKS.” [ARTICLE]

“DISTINGUISHING MARKS.”

It is important that every citizen of Indiana should have an intelligent conception of what constitutes “dis* tinguishing marks” upon ballots when voting under the Australian system. Iff is not necessary that the marks shall be made with intention of imparting information of anv character to any person or party under any circumstances or at any time or place, to invalidate the ballot that is disfigured, accidentally or otherwise. The recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Sego—Ys, Stoddard, from Porter county, establishes the validity of

a* the law, and also establishes the fact that the statute governing the manner of marking the ballots is to be interpreted literally, and cannot be subject to an uncertain,construction by election officers. In other words, the law means exactly what it says, and if the voter has not intelligence enough to cast his ballot in the manner laid down by the section of the law governing that proceeding, then he must lose his vote, be he who he may. The “intent of the voter” counts for nothing. The court in the decision re vie wed the evils of vote buying and intimidation, stating that the intent of the law was evident, and that it meant to “absolutely shut the door against makieg merchandise of his vote by the corruptible voter, as nearly as human ingenuity could dev se such a plan.” Therefore our citizens of all parties, who desire to feel assured that their votes will be counted, will do well to carefully inform themselves of the statutory provisions governing the casting of ballots before they again essay to handle the little rubber stamp. Stamp in the eagle square; stamp in the rooster square; stamp in the rising sun square, etc., if you wish to vote a straight ticket. Stamp in the square before the name of each candidate you desire to vote for if you desire to vote a mixed -ticket. Any deviation —extra mark of the stamp, blot, lead pencil mark, scratch or erasure, or other “distinguishing marks” of any character, kind or species whatever converts your ballot into so much waste paper. The court of last resort has said so, and that settles it. “Stamp, brothers, stamD with care.”