Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1870 — The Indiana Election Laws. [ARTICLE]

The Indiana Election Laws.

The provision in the Indiana election laws requiring ballots to bo numbered with figure* corresponding with those set opposite the voter's name is a fraud on the Constitution of the 9lato and an outrage upon the people. Better go back to the semi-barbaroua method of viva voce voting and be done with it than to evade the plain meaning and design of our Constitution in this sneaking manner. The private ballot was introduced for the especial purpose of permitting every individual to give free expression to bis preferences of men and measures unbiased by popular prejudice and unawed by party lash. This outrageous law. creates a censorship whose privilege it is to snoop Ulirongh oar ballots and make public that which it wonld be better for many reasons to keep private. As we have before said, this act of our Legislature is an outrage upon the people and a fraudulent evasion of the evident constitutional provision. It should be rescinded by our next Legislature and our candidates for the General Assembly ought to be pledged to use their jnf ueuce to have the obnoxious act rejiealed. «