The Southern Mercury. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 23, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 17, 1903 Page: 4 of 8
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THE SOUTHERN MERCURY.
WEEKLY.
Dallas. Taxaa. . .. _
Published every Thursday. Bubacrtpttoa
prlca n par year In stfrsnoa.
MILTON PARK... .Managing Editor.
Entered at tha Dallas. Taxaa poetof-
Sce as mall matter of the second class.
Baealpta for moneys given by the Man*
•Win* Editor only will be recognised.
Main office: 213-215 Commerce St. (cor-
ner Lamar, Gaston Building). Delia*
Texas.
THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 1903.
The Republican National Commit-
tee meets in Washington to-morrow
to tlx the time and place for the next
National Republican Convention. The
Indications are that St. Louis will be
the place, though Chicago is making
itrong efforts to secure it.
The Democratic National Commit-
tee has been called to meet Jan. 12th
it Chicago to arrange for the place
and date for their National Conveu-
iion. New' York Is bidding for it. and
nay probably be selected.
, ^ a
Don't fail to send in an order to-
la? fur one of our new model Mercury
Sewing Machine*, tor a Christmas
present for your wife or daughter. We
ship out the machine the same day
the order is received—and guarantee
mtisfact ion or return your money.
Any hank in Dallas will satisfy you of
•or reliability. Only 18.50 for the
machine in the market. Read
description in another column.
In the last election McKinley se-
cured the vote of the working men
an the promise of a "full dinner pail."
Now there is no such offer. Will they
vote the old party ticket again?
Strikes, lockouts, arrests galore have
followed the trail of Republican
"prosperity." It lies within the graBp
of the toiling millions to change these
conditions peaceably by exercising In-
telligence and manhood at the ballot
box. Will they do it?
"The Cardinal doea not commend
charity, but urges that economic con-
ditions be changed so as to enable
men to earn by Industry and honesty
'a comfortable livelihood.'
"How how shall theae conditions, be
changed? This is the moat moment-
ous question of the age. How does
the Cardinal answer it?
"In the first place he says, 'Agitate
the question.' Agitation will bring the
facts to light and teach one-half the
world how the other half lives. 'By
agitation the air is stirred, the sky la
cleared and healthy discussion la pro-
voked.'
"Most Worthy Cardinal, thou almost
persuadest me to be a Catholic! If
anything could counteract the influ-
ence of my early training, it would be
to see a church hold that high
ground which the Cardinal has taken
and throw the weight of her mighty
Influence on the side of this most
Christian business of improving social
conditions.
"I rejoice that I am able to quote
the authority of one so widely respect-
ed, in favor of the divine right of agi-
tation and healthy discussion of reme-
dies for social Ills.
"But what are the remedies to which
healthy discussion must lead us?
Col. A. J. Rose, widely and favora-
bly known to the farming people
throughout Texas, died at his home In
Salado on Saturday last. Col. Rose
was a North Carolinian by birth, but
had resided in Texas since 1857.
When the Civil War began he enlisted
in tho service of the Confederacy and
made a creditable record as an officer
in charge of our frontier force. His
many attractive traits of character
rendered him popular wherever his
lot was cast. In the Masonic frater-
nity he was elevated to the honorable
position of Grand Master in 1885. In
1873 when the Orange waB at Its
height in Texas, ho was Worthy Mas-
ter of the State. In 1887 he was made
director of the Agricultural and Me-
chanical College of Texas, and contri-
buted no little to the successful work
of that Industrial training school. In
1895 Gov. Culberson appointed him
Commissioner of the Agricultural De-
partment of the State, which position
he filled with credit to himself and
the State. For several years past he
has devoted himself exclusively to
farming in Bell County. He was 75
years of age at time of his death.
Over in the old tar-heel State-
North Carolina—the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, South, has an educational
Institution—Trinity College — which
has come suddenly into prominence be-
cause of the utterances recently made
by one of its professors. Prof. John
Spsncer Basset, in an article In the
South Atlantic Quarterly. In the ar-
ticle Prof. Basset was very laudatory
of Booker Washington. Among other
things he said that, with the single ex-
ception of Qen. Robert B. Lee. Booker
Washington is the greatest man born
In the South 1n a hundred years. Prof.
Basset wbb bitterly criticised and ten-
dered his resignation, but the tender
was refused by the trustees on the
ground that any formal coercion of
thought and private judgment is con-
trary to the constitutional alms of
Trinity College, which Is to cherish a
sincere spirit of tolerance, and flndlug
that there is no complaint against
Prof. Basset's moral character, his
scholarly fitness, his energy, his com-
petency as a teacher, or his command
of the Confidence of his classes.
This is the school which the Ameri-
can Tobacco Company has endowed,
and It is evident that fears of offending
the purse-proud negro-loving magnate
of the gigantic trust had no little in-
fluence In shaping the decision of the
trustees.
A NEW CONVERT TO REFORM.
Herbert Bigelow, the strenuous
apostle of reform who ministers to
the spiritual wants of the membership
of a Congregational flock in Cincin-
nati, calls attention to a new convert
to reform just developed in the Roman
Catholic Church—Cardinal Olbbons of
Baltimore. Discussing the recent ut-
terances of the Cardinal, Mr. Bige-
low says:
"The victims ot monopoly have
found a new champion. A Cardinal
has turned agitator. In a cathedral,
it is declared that economic conditions
are radically wrong. The alienee ot
the church Is broken. From a high
place of authority comes tha plea that
justice be done to the overworked and
underpaid labor of America.
"This Is the burden of a remarkable
sermon delivered by Cardinal Olbbons
last Sunday in the city of Baltimore.
"After a careful Investigation, the
Cardinal has discovered that there are
people in Baltimore who toil ten or
twelve hours a day for six or eight
dollars a week. This plttaace, which
must meet the bills for rent, food,
clothing and other family expenses,
the Cardinal calls 'starvation wages.'
"It does credit to his head and
heart that instead of apologising for,
he condemns the present-day condi-
under which some become sud-
rich, while the toiler, with the
thrift aad eeooomy, cm
keep the welf from the door.'
When one sees how the poison of mo-
nopoly has entered Into our social or-
ganism, both interfering with our pro-
ductive activity and inequitably dis-
tributing the wealth that Is produced,
he will understand that there are but
two propositions that offer any hope
of solution. One Is the scheme of the
Socialists and the other is the pro-
gram outlined by Henry George.
"I do not know what the Cardinal's
views are, concerning these two
phases of economic thought. It should
be enough for the faithful of his
church, to know that 'healthy discus-
sion' has received his blessing, and
there can be no healthy discussion that
excludes any fact or theory in the
universe.
"It is impossible now to enter into
a discussion of social problems. Let
a simple declaration of social faith
suffice.
"I believe that the dream of the So-
cialist is in keeping with the best that
Christianity teaches and that it is pos-
sible of realization.
"I believe that the program outlined
by Henry George is a practicable and
natural method of approach to the So-
cialist's promised land where each man
shall live by the sweat of his brow
and none by the blood of another.
"The first thing I would have the
people do is to socialize land values
by means of the so-callcd Single Tax.
ThiB Is the logical way to begin, for
until this is done, the owners of the
bare ground will be able to appropri-
ate to themselves, in the form of en-
hanced rents, tile advantages of social
progress. This would glvu us revenue
without the robber tariffs.
"The next step I -would propose, Is
to socialize the means of transporta-
tion. This is understood to Include
community ownership of all public
utilities.
"No plan should be neglected of Im-
proving our political machinery so as
to make government as nearly as pos-
sible Identical with the will of the
people. The Initiative and referendum
would help here. So also would a rig-
id Australian ballot and the preferen-
tial system of voting.
"Then what would happen? Any
answer to this question must be large-
ly conjecture. It is my belief that
these changes would so far improve
the condition of labor, that wages
would become so high and the work-
ers so independent that the present
relation between employer and em-
ploys would become obsolete and eco-
nomic necessity would give rise to co-
operative industries to take the place
of tbe present slavery.
"But for their difference as to po-
litical action, the single tax man and
the Socialist might agree upon this as
a working program, In spite of a dif-
ference of view as to, the ultimate
form of social organization. As a rule,
however, the single tax man Is an op-
portunist in politics, willing to take
what he can get, and from any source,
provided It be a step forward, and one
that will not need to be retraced in
the future, while ths Socialist
1b a revolutionist, as a rule, and
Is enamoured of his party, and
fondly dreams of a coup d'etate. The
other day, one told me In confidence,
that the German Emperor would be
dethroned within the next Ave years
and that the socialization of the Unit-
ed States would follow soon after.
"This does not seem so easy to me.
I have little faith in the laws of man.
I put my faith in the laws of nature.
I do not believe any group of men
can have the wisdom to create a new
social order. But wo may do much
to remove obstructions which foolish
laws have put In the way of a natural
development of society. If tho So-
cialist would be content to open the
land and all natural opportunities, de-
stroy artificial monopolies and social-
ize natural monopolies, I think naturo
would do ths rest. But something
must be done. Even the Cardinals
are beginning to say so. Meanwhile
let healthy discussion proceed. Out of
the strife of Ideas will come unity of
action at last, and, In one way or an-
other, the thing will be accomplished
and man will be free."
Our friend Bigelow says many good
things, but like the extreme Socialist
he falls to avail himself of the oppor-
tunities at hand. Populists, and Pop-
ulists only, offer the entering wedge
to this knotty problem. They ask,
and in all fairness, that Direct Legis-
lation be made the touchstone by
which the will of the people shall be
reached. Whatever a majority ot the
legal voters demand, should bs the
law ot the land. What they oppose
should be annulled.
there Is another sat of political proph-
ets who tell us Populism Is dead, and
that the next best thing for us to do is
to Join the Socialists. Both these
classes are tiresome. What difference
conclusions when I say such reformers
Bryan Democrats first and Popu-
"®*t. aad are a hindrance to the
spread of the Populist doctrine. Then
does it make to an Intelligent Popu-
list what Bryan does, or what the
Democratic part, wU, do? An# these
leaders ignorant of the
f"ot the political situation of the
two old t£|*les is sueh that neither
can nor will stand tor the principles of
'''S1" Party? If so, their com-
munications might as well find tbe
waste basket. So far as these Bryan
r® concerned, they have
reached a point truly disgusting. In
the second place we notice those fel-
lows who recognise Bryan as tehlr
political godfather, when they „w
5! r Immaculate chief fall headlong to
the earth, began to move and In one
bound landed in the Socialist camp and
are now shouting. "Come over to us!"
The truth Is, It waa these Bryan wor-
shippers who sowed the seed of dis-
cord In Populist ranks which caused
all our trouble of the past. Whatever
may have been the motives of those
who followed Bryan, whether from the
personal magnetism of the man, or
from a conception of duty to principle,
I shall not venture an opinion. It Is
in order now to say that when at the
Denver Conference those who had fol-
lowed Bryan from their sense of duty,
declared that conditions no longer
justified their allegiance to him or the
Democratic party, they then and there
declared that a compromise was ef-
fected between all factions of the
Populist party, and that the past
should be past, and that in all the fu-
ture we should go forward united;
that there should be no more Bryan
Democracy, no more Hanna Republl
canlsm, but hand In hand, heart to
heart, we would stand by the Omaha
goBpel against all opposing parties, un-
til the God of nations gives ub the
victory and a new era comes with
healing in Its wings.
The God of nations manifests
through the hearts of our people that
love of truth still lives; that virtue
abides in the souls of men, and clad in
the shining garments of divine beauty,
it is listening for the bugle call to
sound from hearts loyal to principle.
What does a Populist who Is loyal to
principle care what Bryan is going to
do? I seriously doubt if Bryan him-
self knows what he will do, and I care
less, for I am not a worshipper of men
nor heroes. I kneel only at the shrine
of liberty, truth and Justice, and I fol-
low no man,or set of men. I am a
Populist from principle, and I care not
what other men may do. I deem it
sufficient for me to know my own
heart and to admonlBh others to stand
with me for the truth until Popuism
shall throw Its light on the rocky
coast of greed, and all political t^'eves
shall be swept by patriotism in<.„ the
ocean of oblivion. Tho Socialists have
always been our enemy. They have
shown a low, unscrupulous cunning by
using our press to scatter their doc-
POPULIST NATIONAL CALL.
Meeting of National Committee.
of exemption before tbe first day of ; ber of votes nor any other fact re-
the preceding February, tbe judge j gardlng their opinion of the state of
trine, and then stab our party on every
occasion. They thrust their hands into
our larder and appropriate our sub-
stance which they would use for our
destruction. They Invest themselves
In our principles and seek to obtain
respectability by parading in stolen
garments. They declaim as plagarlsts,
they boast as egotists, they appeal to
Ignorance and raise their largest crop
where the soil is the thinnest. It is
high time to hold the Socialists at
arm's length along with the Demo-
crats. They promise everything and
deliver nothing. Votes they seek at
any price. As for the Republicans,
they are our open enemy; therefore I
conclude as Populists we must take a
decided stand against them all. No
compromise! No fusion! Let's de-
fend our faith and principles against
all assaults regardless of any man or
set of men, of any party or all parties.
Foundations of all buildings require
sound timber, and those who are not
willing to cut loose from all former
alliance and stand up and be oounted
as Populists first, last and all tho
time, should be forced to abandon our
ranks. We have heard enough of
"join the Socialist party," and "what
Bryan is going to do." Some may say
this is rather plain. Yes, I want It
understood I am very tired of this
vaccilatlng business; It is time to act,
and I anticipate the fact that there will
be some unloading done when the com-
mittees meet at St. touis, and to re-
tain the unadulterated, we cannot line
up too quick.- The Populists must or-
ganize a National party on strictly in-
dependent lines, or go out of business.
The times demand it, and to meet this
demand we must have It. Will it be
done? Who says yes and who says
no? I have had my say. I have writ-
ten with the beBt of feeling without
malice or prejudice, believing as I do
if we fail to grip the present situation
that the sun of the Populist party will
set behind the western slope to rise no
more. Yours for the cause.—J. S. Fei-
ter, Springfield, 111.
COME OUT AND BE YE SEPARATE.
In the light of revealed opinions we
conclue that n\any refarmers are more
concerned about what W. J. Bryan Is
goin to do than what they
themselves propose doing. When-
ever a Hat ot questions Is
sent out by the editors of our
Populist papers to tbe various leaders
In different States, inquiring what Is
the best thing to do to enthuse our
people with new life, we are treated to
a dose of prophecy on what the Demo-
cratic party can't do aad what W. J.
Bryan wlU 1 am opt atone ia my
"What has become of the National
Reform Press? Has it gone out of
business? We used to have away back
In the nineties a strong, vigorous list
of journals advocating Populism, but
they have disappeared from some
cause. Surely, not because the reforms
they were demanding have been ef-
fected—not because the principles
upon which they were based were not
right? If they were right in 1896 they
are right yet, and we should still con-
tend for them. Populists, as well as
all others who are dissatisfied with
present conditions, should give strong
and persistent support to the reform
press, and enable the truth to reach
the suffering people. The people need
education, education along the line of
reform. They need to be shown where
the evils rest and how they may be
eradicated. There la no bettor, easier
or cheaper way than by the oirculatlon
of literature aad continuous dtocua-
sloas In local organisation*. Our
forcea ought to be at work now, tor
soon the heat ot the campaign will be
on and opportunity for calmta, dispas-
sionate investigation will be more
difficult. Send and get a bundle of
Southern Mercury, Missouri World.
Nebraska Independent, and papers ot
that kind,and see if you can't wake up
the aleepers la the Populist camp. My
word tor it you will find the work
May."—John C. Crew, Savoy, Texas.
Memphis. Tenn., Dec. 10.—The Na-
tional Executive Committee of the
People's party of the United States In
session at Memphis, Tenn., this 10th
day of December, 1903, begs leave to
congatulate the earnest reform voteis
of the United States on- the rapid
spread of those great principles of hu-
man government enunciated in the
Omaha platform of 1892, and for which
our organisation has steadfastly con-
tended since the beginning.
The political history of the past few
years has only served to strengthen
oar position and to draw the attention
of patriotic voters to the principles In
volved In our political creed, until It
is to-day a generally accepted theory
that government ownership of monop-
olies is better than than monopoly
ownership of government, although
through the manipulation of political
machines by tbe monopolies now con
trolling the public utilities of the
country, therq has been but little
legislation looking to public' owner-
ship.
The political history of tbe past few
years has taught several invaluable
lessons to those who would reform ex-
isting abuses, the most important of
which is that fusion or co-operation
with either of the old parties is a
failure, destined to spread confusion
among reformers and to destroy our
organization. It has also taught that
a divided reform movement can ac-
complish but little. While In the past
bonest differences of opinion have di-
vided our ranks, and lent consolation
to our enemies and the despollers of
the people, we recommend as tbe fu-
ture policy of our party that reform-
ers of all factions bury their minor
differences and unite on the essential
principles that will restore to the peo-
ple the power to conduct the govern-
ment free from the dictation of an
oligarchy of tbe "idle holders of idle
capital."
To this end we will hereby call the
National Central Committee of the
Allied People's party to meet at the
new St. James Hotel, In St. Louis, Mo,,
February 22, at 10 o'clock a. m., to fix
a time and place for a national con-
vention to nominate candidates tot
President and Vice-President of the
United States, and we Invite the com-
mittees of other reform parties to
meet at the Bame time and place, look-
ing to a practical union of the reform
forces of the country in the approach-
ing national campaign. We especially
invite the representatives of organized
labor, as it la the policy of the Peo-
ple's party to support the worthy ef-
fort8 of organized labor in its strug-
gles against organized capital, and be-
lieving that the final relief of labor
rests solely In an intelligent and well-
directed ballot, we urge the co-opera-
tion of the labor forces in our conven-
tions and at the polls.
We endorse the action of the recent
Denver Conference in looking to re-
union of the People's party on the old
lines, and extend our. hands in frater-
nal greeting to our co-laborers of the
great Northwest who have In the past
been mislead by false promises, only
to now be offered as a sacrifice to
Mammon.
There is widespread dissatisfaction.
In the Republican party; the Demo-
cratic party has abandoned the West
and is now engaged in concluding an
alliance with the .capitalistic forces of
the East. The way Is now clear for
the patriotic men and women of all
parties to unite on those essential
principles of human Mberty, and to
this end we pledge our earnest en-
deavors.
Reform papers please copy.—Jo. A.
Parker, Chairman, Louisville, Ky.
shall In like manner pronounce in
audible voice the name and number
of tbe elector on the poll tax or ex-
emption rolls, with the word 'correct.'
"Sec. 62. If from any cause the
judges of election shall be satisfied
that the poll tax receipt or certificate
of exemption was not issued by the
County Collector, or was opt Issued
for the elector who has presented the
same, or that the affidavit presented
by the elector la not true, or that since
his certificate or receipt was issued,
he haa removed from the precinct or
voting ward to another in the same
county, and not obtained a corrected
receipt or certificate, no ballot shall
be delivered to him, and he shall not
vote.
Votes Must Be 8tamped.
"Sec. 63. When the Judges are sat-
isfied as to tbe right of tbe citizen to
vote and one has pronounced in an
audible voice his name and the num-
ber of his poll tax receipt or certificate
of exemption, and the word 'correct,'
the judge shall stamp in legible char-
polls until after the closing thereof,
except as herein permitted.
"Sec. 70. Two clerks shall each
keep a poll list, upon which they shall
write the name and number of each
person who votes and at the time of
his voting.
"Sec. 71. No officer of election shall
unfold or examine the face of a ballot
when received from an elector, nor
the indorsement on tbe ballot, except
tbe signature of the judge, or the
words stamped thereon, nor compare
it with the clerk's list of voters', when
the ballots are counted, nor shall he
permit the same to be done, nor shall
he examine, or permit to be examined,
the ballots after they are deposited in
a ballot box, except as herein provided
for In canvassing the votes, or in cases
specially provided by law.
"Sec. 72. The counting judges and
clerks shall familiarize themselves
with the signature of the Judge who
writes his name on the ballots, and
shall count no ballots that do not bear
his signature, or, if on examination by
acters with a stamp of wood or rub- 'the Judges, sucb signature is found to
ber said poll tax receipt or certificate be a forgery.
with the word 'voted.... day "Sec. 73. If the officers of election
A. D ' or write the same in ink need refreshment during the voting
(showing date of voting), and then re- and before tbe canvass of votes, it
THE NEW ELECTION LAW8 OP
TEXAS.
(Continued from last issue.)
"Sec. 69. At elections for school
district officers, or school officers of a
city, town or village, at which no oth-
er officer is to be elected, and elections
of officers of fire departments, any bal-
lot may be used, prescribed by the lo-
cal authorities.
Supplies fer Elections.
"Sec. 60. The package of official
ballots which shall be sealed up by
the County Clerk, and delivered to the
election judge, shall contain two and
one-half times as many of each ballot
as there were voteB for Governor in
the precinct at the last general elec-
tion. The number so delivered shall
be entered of record, and marked on
the package,. Instruction cards shall
also be inclosed, sealed up and deliv-
ered with the official ballots, together
with poll lists, tally sheets and re-
turning blanks. There shall also be
delivered at the same time proper rub-
ber or other stamps, black lead pen-
cils. mucilage and sealing wax, with
certified poll tax roll of those clti-
sens of tbe precinct who, before the
first day of February last preceding,
paid their poll tax, and of those who
received their certificates of exemp-
tion from its payment, all of which
shall be Becurely sealed, and an en-
dorsement made on the package,
showing its contents. Poll tax and ex-'
emption books or rolls need not be
sent to tbe election Judge of any pre-
cinct, who is already in possession of
same, properly certified. If from any
cause ballot boxes or voting booths
and guard rails have not been furnish-
ed to the presiding Judge, he shall
procure thsm and receive pay there-
for.
How Elections are to bs Conducted.
"Sec. 61. One of the election Judges
shall receive from the voter the poll
tax receipt or certificate of exemption
when he presents himself to vots; the
voter shall announce his name, and
the judge, after comparing the appear-
ance of the party with that given in
the poll tax rolls or certificate of ex-
emption rolls and being satisfied that
the certificate or receipt is the dupli-
cate in number and in other respects
accords with the receipt or certificate
number on the poll tax or exemption
rolls, shall pronounce in an audible
voice the name of the voter and his
number, as given on the poll tax re-
ceipts or exemption rolls. If tbe voter
has lost his receipt or certificate, and
shall present his written affidavit to
that fact, and it his appearance tallies
with that given for the sams number
aad name of the poll tax receipt or
certificate rolls, aad the Judges of
eleetloa shall be satisfied that he paid
his poll tax or received his certificate
turn said receipt or certificate to the
voter, and shall at the same time de-
liver to him one of each of the official
ballots upon tbe blank side of each of
which the presiding Judge shall have
preciously written his signature. The
voter shall then immediately repair
to one of the voting booths or place
prepared by tbe election officers, and
select the ballot he desires to vote
and prepare same by striking out the
name of any candidate thereon whom
he does not desire to vote for, and In-
serting the name of his choice under-
neath.
How the Vote Must Bs Folded.
Sec. 64. When he shall have pre-
pared his ballot he shall fold the same
bo as to conceal the printing thereon
and so as to expose the signature of
the presiding judge on the blank side,
and shall also fold each of the ballots
he does not desire to vote, in the same
manner, and shall, after leaving tbe
booth, hand to the numbering judge
the ballot he desires to vote, who shall
number the same. He shall at the
same time hand to another judge tbe
ballot or ballots he- does not desire
to vote, bo folded as to conceal the
names, which shall be by such judge
deposited in ballot box No. 4. If both
the said Judges are satisfied that all
official ballots given the vote!- have
been by him returned and accounted
for, and if those returned are identi-
fied as the same just delivered to him,
the numbering Judge shall number the
ballot given him by the voter, writing
on the blank side the number opposite
the voter's name on the voting list,
and shall stamp or write the same
with the word 'voted' and deposit his
ballot in the ballot box. The other
judge shall thereupon deposit the bal-
lots, If any, returned unused by the
voter, In bhllot box No. 4. The
letter 'V' shall at the same time be
marked by one of the clerks on the
poll tax receipt or exemption roll op-
posite the name of the ulector there-
on, and the voter shall immediately
leave the polling place.
No 8ample Ballot Allowed.
"Sec. 65. Any judge may require a
citizen to answer under oath before
he secures an official ballot, whether
he has been furnished with any pa-
per or balot on wbich is marked
the names of those for whom he has
agreed or proposed to vote, or has
such paper or marked ballot in his
possession, and he shall not be fur-
nished with an official ballot until he
has delivered to the judge such
marked ballot or paper, if he has one,
which, on delivery, shall without ex-
amination be destroyed by the Judge.
How Count Is to be Made.
"Sec. 66. At the expiration of one
hour after voting has begun, the re-
ceiving judge shall deliver ballot box
No. 1 to the counting judge, who shall
at once deliver in its place box No. 2,
which shall again be opened and ex-
amined in the presence of all the
judges, and securely closed and lock-
ed; and until the ballots In ballot box
No. 1 have been counted, the receiv-
ing judge shall receive and deposit
ballots in ballot box No. 2. Ballot box
No. 1 shall, at Its receipt by the count-
ing judge, be immediately opened, and
the tickets taken out by him, one by
one, when he shall read and distinctly
announce, while the ticket remains in
his hand, the name or names of each
candidate voted for thereon, which
shall be noted on the tally sheets, and
shall then deliver the ballot to tbe
other counting judge, who shall place
the same In box No. 3, which shall
remain locked and in view until the
counting is finished, when said box
shall be returned with the other
boxes, locked and sealed, to the Coun-
ty Clerk. Ballot boxes Nos. 1 and 2
shall be used by the receiving jndge
and the counting judge alternately, as
above provided, as often as the count-
ing judge has counted and exhausted
the ballots in either box.
Vote Must be Announced Every Hour.
"Sec, 67. At each change of the
boxes, one of tbe Judges shall an-
nounce at the outer door of the voting
place the number of votes already
cast.
"Sec. 68. No voter shall be entitled
to receive a new ballot In lieu of one
mutilated or defaced, until he first re-
turns such ballot and It Is deposited
in box No. 4, nor shall any one be
supplied with more than three ballots
in lieu of those mutilated or defaced.
A register shall be kept by the clerks
as the voting progresses of the muti-
lated or defaced ballots, which shall
be deposited In box No. 4, In which
also shall be returned all official bal-
lots not voted.
"Sec. 69. From the time of opening
of the polls until the announcement
of the results of the canvass of
votes cast and the signing of the offi-
cial returns, the boxes and all official
ballots shall be kept at the polling
place la the presence ot one or more
of the judges. No person shall be ad-
mitted within the room where the
election Is being conducted, except the
eleotkm Judges, clerks, persoas admit-
ted by the presiding judge to preserve
order, and persona admitted for the
purpose of voting. No judge or clerk
shall make any statement nor give in-
formation la any maaasr of the a
shall be taken at polling place and in
view of the ballot boxes, provided that
the refreshment, if liquid, shall not be
Btronger than coffee.
"Sec. 74. No ballot which bears the
name of a candidate pasted over the
name of another candidate shall be
counted for the- name bo pasted. At
the close of the canvassing and during
itB progress the tally clerks shall com
pare their tally lists, and at the close
of the canvass certify officially of their
correctness.
"Sec. 75. Official ballots shall be
provided by the Commissioners' Court
at each polling place for every elec
tion at which public officers are to be
elected by tbe people and for all pri-
mary elections of political parties
which nominate by primary election,
and no others shall be used, provided
that the same name shall not appear
on more than one ballot, nor shall the
same name appear more than once on
any ballot or ticket.
"Sec. 76. There shall be one official
ballot for each political party lawfully
nominating candidates for office to be
voted for at each general or special
election in each county or city or town,
and the expense of printing all such
official ballots shall be paid by the
proper committee or person filing the
certificate of nomination of each party
or body making nominations when
such certificate is filed. The terms
'primary election' as used in this act
means any election held by the mem-
bers of any political party for the pur-
pose of selecting candidates ot such
party to be voted for at any general
or special election held under the
laws of this State. The term 'primary
convention' means any convention or
mass meeting held In the voting pre-
cincts of any county by the membere
of any. political party for the purpose
aforesaid; provided, that no name
shall be placed on the official ballot of
the general or special election unless
the nominees of the party hive been
selected according to this act.
"Sec. 77. The official ballot of each
political party shall contain the names
of all the candidates whose nomina-
tions for elective office have been duly
made by such party and not with-
drawn, together with the title of'the
political party, as certified in the cer-
tificate of nomination.
"Sec. 78. All ballots shall be printed
with black ink on clear white book
paper, of sufficient thickness to pre-
vent the markings thereon to be seen
through the paper. There shall be
printed at the top of each ballot the
name of the party represented on the
ballot, and under each the printed
names of the candidates of such party
and of the offices for wbich they are
candidates.
"Sec. 79. The party name shall be
printed in display, the name or desig-
nation of the office in brevier lower
case, and the name of the candidate
in brevier capital type. The title of
office, together with the name of the
candidate therefor, shall be printed in
a space one-half inch deep and at
least two inches wide, underneath the
name of each candidate there shall
be a space wide enough for the in-
sertion of a written name therein.
Ballots Must be Numbered.
"Sec. 80. The consecutive number-
ing of the ballots shall begin with
number one, Increasing as the voting
progresses in regular numerical order.
"Sec. 81. Whenever a constitutional
amendment or other question submit-
ted by the Legislature Is to be voted
on, the form in which it is submitted
shall be prescribed by tbe Governor,
and printed in inclosed heavy lines at
the bottom of each ballot, described
by this act. If a proposition or ques-
tion is to be voted on by the people
of any city, county, or other subdivis-
ion ot the State, the form In which
such proposition shall be voted on
Bhall be prescribed by tbe local or
municipal authority submitting it, but
in all cases tbe evidence required by
this act that the cltixen has paid his
poll tax, or received his certificate
of exemption, must be produced be-
fore he can be permitted to vote."
This completes the law In full as
passed by the late Legislature. Pre-
vious chapters of the law can be seen
In the four preceding issues of the
Mercury.
WHAT CO-OPERATION HAS DONE.
What It Can Yet Do for Texas Fann-
ers and Others.
Editor Mercury: Some time since
several of us farmers were together at
a gin when one of the party mentioned
having purchased a lot ot household
supplies (including bacon), and the
prices paid in cash for them. We were
all Interested,-in view of the fact that
we have been and are yet paying too
much for everything we have to buy.
One of our men waa going in two or
three daya to Waco and proposed to
price goods there to determine wheth-
er or not sueh supplies as we were
compelled to purchase could be gotten
cheaper there ia co-operation than la
our county town. So we all made up
lists of such things as we were williag
to so purchase, and he took them and
made the purchases for ua at a sub-
stantial saving, to u* *e every single
article. Each of our orders waa pot
up in a separate package All the
seven packages were put in one box
and shipped to our nearest atatioa
(not our county town), and we all went
together and got our goods. We tola
of our success to a few of our neigh-
bors, and now we have a cash buying
club of 14, and we have arranged with
a young clerk in Waeo (son of one of
our neighbors) to buy and ship for us
on a reasonable commission to him.
Judging by our first experiment we'
have no doubt of our ability to save a
good deal in our future purchases ot
family and supplies.
Naturally, we would prefer to buy at
home from our local merchants, aad
we would do so If we could get goods
at the same prices; but we are aot
able to do so, and business is business,
you know. Oae of onr merchants heard
of the organisation of our club and
protested to two of our members
against their desertion of him, but as
he only sells dry goods and clothing
he could make no proposition to cover
groceries, hardware, agricultural im-
plements and other suppliea we are go*
ing to need, therefore he could only
protest. He was asked: "Do you not
claim the right to buy where you can
buy the cheapest?" And he had to
say he did. He was asked: "If we are
offered dry goods In your own town by
another merchant as good goods, but
cheaper than you are willing to offer,
do you think we have no right to go
to the other merchant and buy of
him?" He had to admit that our peo-
ple were only doing what he was do-
ing, and what they have a clear right •
to do. It is possible that our club
doors will be open and that instead of
14 members we will have 24 or 54 or
even 104 during next year. In that
case we can easily see how we will be
able by this co-operative plan to save a
considerable sum of money for our-
selves and family during the year.
You wrote asking me to assist you
in your efforts to secure some sub-
scribers to and readers for the Mer-
cury in this county. Now let me offer
you a suggestion, as follows: You are
In Dallas, the commercial metropolis
of Texas. You are in a position to re-
ceive and fill orders for our club for
everything we shall have to buy next
year, and you can arrange with youf
business men there to fill such orders
quite as cheaply as our orders men-
tioned were filled in Waco. The goods
can be put in separate bundles, all
boxed and shipped together,and we can-
all get them when they shall reach our
station. If you will resolve yourself
into a cash buyers, agency, and will
authorize me and my club friends to
say to our neighbors that if each one
of them will pay you $1 per year for
the Mercury you will receive and place
their cash orders for them monthly,
or as they shall as a club determine. I
believe I will be able to secure 100
members for the club In 60 days. My
neighbors can well afford to pay you
the $1 per year for the paper In order
to secure such business advantages,
and once having paid for it in ad-
vance they will read it, they and their
families, and ia that way you will be
doing much towards educating them
along the lines of Populism.
If this proposition will work satis-
factorily in one country it may be
made to so work In every county trib-
utary ia a commercial sense to Dallas
Dallas Is la the very heart
of a section my 150 miles
square, la which live two-thirds
of the people of Texas. Why not se-
lect and send to each of said county la
said 75 miles of Dallas good men to or-
ganise Cash Buyers' Leagues on the
plan outlined? You might call them
Mercury clubs, or Mercury co-opera-
tive clubs, or anything else that would
be appropriate, and while helping oa
those who need all the financial help
they can get, you could be keepiag
yourself and at the same time help oa
the cause of reform.
Enclosed I hand you names and post-
offices of about 80 good families ia
this county, and I suggest that you
send to them a marked copy of Mer-
cury containing this letter. It may
help me and my club friends la the
efforts we are seriously thinking of
making to enlarge our club member-
ship, and it may also open up the way
for you to test the Cash Buyers*
League proposition in some other
counties. Your friend truly.—G. K. C.
McLennan Co., Texas.
YOUNG MEN IN CONGRESS.
The Fifty-eight Congress will be re-
markable for its membership of young
men who are notable not only in point
of numbers, but conspicuous tor abili-
ty. Some sixty members of the new
Congress have emerged from kilts
since the last bullet sped at Appomat-
tox.
In official and Congressional life,"
says Mr. North Overton Messenger, in
the December Pearson's "a man at
forty years of age is considered young,
and the graybeards look upon tbe fsl-
lows of thirty-five as mere striplings;
but here comes on a crop of embryo
statesmen whose ages range from
twenty-eight to thirty-two. Who caa
say that a man who possesses ability
enough to push him through the stir-
ring competition of these times into
a Beat in Congress before he Is thirty •
years old may not, wlthla the next de-
cade, take his place among the most
brilliant statesmen of the land?
With a President in the White
House who, as the head of the Gov-
ernment, took the executive chair at
forty-three years of age, there is a fol-
lowing of young men ia Important po-
sitions throughout the various braMh-
es—legislative, executive, aad Judi-
cial—which emphatically marks this
as the age of the yqpng man. Behind •
this army of ot agresslve, ambitious,
energetic, and competent young men la
a solid backing of experienced legisla-
tors, jurists, and executive officers
who will furnish the fly-wheel, the
governor to the engine, so to tpeak.
1 m ' i
EX-CONGRESSMAN DEAD.
New York, Dec. 14.—Alexander Mc-
Donald, who was elected a meiufaer of
congress from Arkansas it 1M9, M
dead at tbe home of his daughter *a
Norwood Park, N. J. He was bote In
Pennsylvania seventy-one years aff*.
Emigrating to Kansas la MM. he t*«S
an active port In raising troops tot toe
Union army and ia said to have sup-
ported, at one time, throe regtiusau
from his private funds. After the _W
he established national tana at
Smith, and L4tttc Rock. Ark., 4N
was elected to congress. Be
some years age.
j
.. - " i5r
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Park, Milton. The Southern Mercury. (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 23, No. 51, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 17, 1903, newspaper, December 17, 1903; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth186026/m1/4/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .