THE BALLOT DANGERS FROM ITS PERVERSION. AN APPEAL AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING ITS PURITY. BY STEUBEN T. BACON. “ Stuff the ballot-box much more, will it not burst? ” — Rev. Dr. Bartol. rA CAMBRIDGE: 3^ciiiteti at t|)c 0ibcriSiJJc 1881. Copyright, 1881, By STEUBEN T. BACON. The Riverside Press, Ca77ibridge : Stereotyped and Printed by II. 0. Houghton and Company. To THE VOTERS OF THE UNITED STATES, OF ALL PARTIES, IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR. • V CONTENTS. PAGE APPEAL 5 DANGERS 12 OPINIONS OF EXPERTS 25 COMMENDATIONS 28 AN APPEAL AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE BALLOT. “If the worst things prevail, the best are excluded, and a nation ceases.” — Nahum Capen’s History of Democracy. It cannot be doubted that the greatest evils that now menace the Republic are frauds upon the suf- frage ; and whatever will prevent them and secure the stability and practicable economy of government, and the union and fraternity of its citizens, is worthy the careful attention and best efforts of men of influence in every department of life. Frauds in voting, counting, and tabulating the re- turns of ballots at elections are crimes fatal to the cause of freedom and to republican government. That such crimes have become alarmingly prevalent, in- creasing at every succeeding election and deliberately committed on a gigantic scale, even in unsuspected localities, by the preconcerted plans of professional men, with favor and approval, is a lamentable fact, that demands and should receive instant and univer- sal attention and legislative remedies ; the perpetra- tors marked by the indelible stamp of public infamy, and punished as promptly and surely as though they had committed an offense against property. 6 AN APPEAL AND METHOD • The honest, wise, and good, and most of the party platforms, demand that an honest ballot, count, re- turn, and tabulation shall be assured. How to ac- complish this is a problem that has hitherto baffled the ingenuity of inventors and law-makers. In addition to the flagrant crimes that are com- mitted under the name of ‘‘ mistakes in the count there are three frauds by voters, and twenty-two by offlcials who are charged with the simple duty-of con- ducting elections, and faithfully, honestly, and impar- tially ascertaining and returning the exact results of all the ballots lawfully cast. But to attain these re- sults has appeared to be a difficult arithmetical prob- lem ; for the astute guardians of the laws fail, almost ignominiously, either to correct the mistakes, prevent the frauds, or annul them after their committal ; while their efforts to seek and punish the criminals are often a mere travesty of justice. For the lawful ballot to prevail, it must overtop all frauds and mistakes. When we consider personal, local, corporate, clique, and party interests, and the vast sums of money annually expended in elections, who but the inimical knows when^ ivhere^ or hoiv these varied interests and moneys will act^ — whether through the voter, repeater, personator, stuffer, elec- tion offlcer, or tabulator, either or all of them ? I dare aver that fully flfteen per cent, of the ballots voted at the last two national elections failed to be tabulated to the credit of the candidates voted for. Herein lies our alarming weakness. This is the dry rot that is rapidly consuming, not the pillars of state only, but the State itself. How long it can survive this unnatural strain the oracles have not revealed ; FOR xAIAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE BALLOT. 7 but history, the pulpit, press, and platform, with no uncertain voice, warn us that continuance in such parricidal practices will erelong bring our proud Re- public to an end. The legal maxim, that ‘‘ every wrong has its rem- edy^'' obtains here; for there is now attainable a sure method to frustrate these destroying cabals, and in- sure the complete integrity of the ballot. Every known . election fraud can be surely detected and an- nulled, and the perpetrator apprehended for punish- ment. Contested elections — costing vast sums of money, and seldom decided on their merits — need no longer be necessary. There is no more sense nor reason why every one of the nearly ten million ballots voted at the late election should not be expeditiously tabulated as voted than that a book account representing transac- tions of ten million dollars should not be balanced correctly. Hitherto, in the construction of ballot-boxes, no attention appears to have been given to the impera- tive need of such a method as will prevent or de- tect mistakes, frauds, and ballots fraudulently voted, and to enable the officials to determine each and every ballot lawfully^ in contradistinction from those ralaw- fully, voted. I have made a close study of election frauds and means for their repression, incited by the masterlj^ oration of Col. R. G. Ingersoll on “ Eight to Seven,” four years ago, and, at great expense, devised several ballot-boxes that effectually compass them ; but the cost, fifty dollars, has retarded introduction. I was not aware that republican government was instituted 8 AN APPEAL AND METHOD to save expense ; but if it was, then even the fifty- dollar box should have been adopted, for it would have saved more than its cost, while, by assuring the election of the candidates having the most legal votes, the natural result would have been to allay local and national animosities, and attain the essential elements of fraternal unity. If a ballot-box is attainable that will defeat any one fraud, should it not find favor? But let it be known that none of the frauds now practiced can harm the State, nor help the political parties who perpetrate them, and that certain detection will fol- low even the attempt^ then see how quickly these offenses will cease. If the general introduction of the box as now made can be assured, it can be furnished for fifteen dollars ; hence, no one can see a job” in legislation in its behalf; for if for that small sum the minions of injus- tice and fraud can be defeated in their conflict with justice and truth, the people will hail it as a national boon. I know very well that it cannot transform a knave into an honest man, but, happily, it can cir- cumscribe his operations, and give law-abiding citi- zens and the State a protection which it is idle to look for in conflicting and loosely draWn statutes. The banking and business community resort; to in- tricate and expensive expedients to retain their prop- erty and circumvent the operations of the criminal class, who, by constant study, acquire wonderful adapt- ability of means to ends. Why should not Congress and state legislatures exhibit equal sagacity and so- licitude to retain the Republic, and regain its once honored but now tarnished name ? Abolish the hat, FOR MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE BALLOT. 9 the candle and soap boxes, as voting urns, and en- throne an IDEAL BALLOT-BOX as the ark of our Re- public. Legalize it as the crucial test to which the ballot of every voter in the land shall be subjected. The question is sometimes asked if an ordinary election officer can work this box. I answer Yes, — and am confirmed by practical scientists who, on page 25, have asserted its completeness in this regard. The people are intelligent. Even the election officer of to-day is keen enough to commit twenty-two spe- cies of fraud, and also to elude detection. But if nec- essary^ raise voting, counting, and tabulating to a science, and relegate the conducting of elections to a higher order of men, — so that that duty will be per- formed as faithfully as are other and less vital affairs, — rather than leave it to chance frauds by unprin- cipled men. Those who profit by a fraudulent suffrage would have the present status remain, — and it ivill remain, unless those who would have righteousness and truth prevail over the powers of darkness bestir them- selves. It will be seen further on that the Bacox Axti- Fbaud Ballot-Box has been critically examined and cordially approved by many competent experts, business men and statesmen of all political predilec- tions. ‘‘ Mere party men oppose it, although they admit its efficacy, and on that very ground are shy of it.” Three prolonged exhibitions of the box have been made at Fairs, and thousands have said as with one voice. Let this system go into use and the cry of fraud at elections will be heard no more. 10 AN APPEAL AND METHOD There should be no objection raised to the very small expense its primary introduction would cause, for it will be found that its entire cost to a State can be more than reimbursed in one year, by saving the expenses attending contested elections alone ; hence, it would be economy in the highest sense. It will simplify the labors of officials, help the ignorant and careless in reaching an accurate result expeditiously, and save the need, time, and vexation of a recount — so that the count at the polls could be accepted as final. The assurance to the citizens that the results reached are correct is so valuable and important, that, in comparison, the expense required to secure it is not worthy of consideration. I am told That its enforced use in towns is ob- jected to by some — that their inhabitants, being plain, honest people,” do not need it. Granted the honesty of the masses everywhere ; but in their un- sophisticated reliance, thinking others honest, dema- gogues use them, — abusing their confidence with im- punity and often without detection. And yet, is it not true that no general election occurs without the lightning of fraud striking one or more unsuspected towns, and that crime of all kinds is nearly as gen- eral on an average in towns as in cities ? Living as we do under laws, the good citizen sees the necessity of ordinances to protect him and overawe those who would commit a wrong act. The presumably honest can afford to be watched, and it is they who should be. Fully convinced that a new departure is impera- tive, I submit the matter to the serious consideration of Congress and state legislatures ; urging the vast FOR MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE BALLOT. 11 importance of taking such action, not only by strin- gent and penal laws, but by the adoption of a uni- form ballot-box that will render the mistakes and crimes practically impossible. And I earnestly and confidently appeal to that mighty power the Press, patriotic representative statesmen, philanthropists, and business men, whose interests are in jeopardy, to examine my device ; and, finding it efficacious, to share with me in all the results to be attained, and aid me with their earnest, persistent efforts, in plac- ing it in every voting precinct in our land, assured that all will accept it as a safe escape from the dark forebodings of the near future. What more enduring title to real statesmanship than to accomplish what is herein outlined ? The potency of the ballot has been truthfully de- scribed as “ A weapon that comes down as still As snow-flakes fall upon the sod ; But executes a freeman’s will As lightning does the will of God.” THE AUTHOR. DANGERS FROM THE PERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. On tlie integrity of the ballot depends the safety of our republican institutions.” — Judge Brady, We want a ballot-box which even dishonest inspectors can’t compel to lie.” — Herald,, Boston, The ballot-box must speak the combined verdict of all lawful electors.” — Chief Justice Chambers, “ The culmination and the safety of the arch we have reared are still in danger.” — Secretary Evarts, It must be maintained until the ballot-box everywhere is safe from violence or intimidation.” — John G, Whittier, “ The next duty is to give free elections and an honest count to the people of all the States alike.” — The Tribune New YorJc, To secure honesty and order in popular elections is a matter so vital that it must stand in front.” — General Ar- thurs Letter of Acceptance, A ballot-box that will render fraud impossible is some- thing which it is every citizen’s interest that we should have.” — Herald,, Boston, “It has aroused public attention, as nothing else could have aroused it, to one of the worst dangers that threatens our governmental system.” — Free Press, Detroit, “ But something ought to be done to prevent the ^ count- ing out ’ of electors honestly chosen, and the ‘ counting in ’ of others who are not chosen.” — Traveller, Boston, DANGEKS FKOM THE PERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. 13 Give us only this : A free vote and an honest count, and the cry of sectionalism will forever cease in our North- ern politics.” — General Woodford, I have no doubt that a greater amount of fraudulent counting was done on Tuesday night than at any time since the days of Tweed.” — Evening Post, New York, “ It is only by a full vote, free ballot, and fair count that the people can rule, in fact, as required by the theory of our government.” — General Hancock's Letter of Acceptance, Our danger comes from ourselves. We have to fear the decay of public virtue, the growth of monopolies, cor- ruption in public life, the perversion of the ballot-box.” — General Hawley, “ Let there be peace so long as every man, rich or poor, black or white. North or South, is allowed a free vote, an honest count, and equal rights before the law.” — General Grant, “ The paramount question still is as to the enjoyment of the right by every American citizen who has the requisite qualifications to freely cast his vote, and to have it hon- estly counted.” — President Hayes's Message, “ Wise politics is a thing of the future, — hot of the past. There is no use of harboring thought of by-gones, save as it may be advantageously employed in shaping coming events.” — Union, Rochester, New York, Honest voting and fair counting are the most funda- mental of questions in a popular government, and when a party seeks success not by a free vote and fair count .... that attempt dwarfs all other issues.” — Harper's Weekly, Is cheating to be the law of American politics ? Is roguery justifiable as retaliation ? Shall we put a premium first on the most ingenious knavery, and, closely following that, on the most daring force ? ” — Republican, Springfield, “ It would show much more sense in our politicians to busy themselves in devising means for preventing fraud at the next presidential election than to keep howling about fraud in the last one.” — Herald, Boston, 14 DANGERS FROM THE PERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. Purloining of ballots, and very important disagreements between the number of ballots reported to have been cast and the checks on the voting lists, are not offenses that can safely be condoned.’’ — Transcript^ Boston, A real Yankee could get as near the result of an elec- tion by guessing as those who count votes in Boston are able to get. City Hall motto : If at first you don’t suc- ceed, count, count again.” — Herald,^ Boston, To stifle an honest ballot, freely given, is an offense unpardonable. It is even worse than intimidation, for in the latter case., the offended party has at least a show of remedy.” — Evening Post^ New York, “ Garcelony cannot be applied to national politics without starting up the danger signals. The country can stand any issue of ‘ a full vote, a fair ballot, and an honest count.’ ” — Herald^ Boston, “ Friends of an honest and impartial suffrage are every- where coming to the idea that every man must vote as he pleases, and have his vote counted as he cast it.” — Ex-At- torney Gen, D evens. “ I agree in the words of the Democratic Platform of 1880, that ‘ the right to a free ballot is the right preserva- tive of all rights,’ and that unless that right is actually and practically secured, then the foundation of all rights, polit- ical and civil, is taken away.” — Hon, Stanley Matthews, “ Why shall we not all join to throw around the ballot- box that protection which is our security ? I will not flinch from enacting the severest penalties that this Congress may constitutionally enact to preserve the purity of the ballot- box.” — Hon, Ben, Butter worth,, M, O, “ The duty of the hour is action The work to which we should forthwith address ourselves is that of put- ting such safeguards around the ballot-box as will prevent frauds in the future. It will never do to let another year slip by in indolence, and recklessly to face again the peril from which we have just escaped.” — Advertiser^ Boston. That I may know this pamphlet reaches you, please acknowledge receipt by postal card or otherwise. Additional copies can be had at Book and News Stores. Price lo cents. S. T. BACON, 125 W. Concord St., Boston, Mass. [The ballot-box can be seen, between ii and 12 a. m., at the office of Baldwins American European Express,' Sears Building, 197 Wash- ington Street.] DANGERS FROM THE PERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. 15 “ It has taken centuries to educate the Anglo-Saxon race to submit to a majority of one, and the moment we refuse to submit, and attempt to overthrow popular election on any pretext whatever, republican government is imperiled, if not lost.” — Senator Blaine, “ That every elector shall be permitted freely .... to cast his lawful ballot .... and have it honestly counted, and that the potency of his vote shall not be destroyed by the fraudulent vote of any other person.” — General Gar- field's Letter of Acceptance, We cannot permit the ballot-box, by which the Ameri- can people expresses its will, to be tainted with fraud. I have no patience with the men who would seek to divert the attention of the people from this issue.” — Hon, Wil- liam E, Chandler, Nor can I forbear to refer to the circumstances attend- ing the recent municipal election in the city of Boston, which, if correctly reported, makes it peremptory that you provide new safeguards for casting, keeping, and counting the ballots.” — Governor Long’s Message, “ AVe demand a full, free vote and an honest count .... There ought to be no delay in passing laws for the super- vision and protection of the ballot in the election of mem- bers of the House of Representatives and of electors of President and Vice-President.” — Hon. George S, Boutwell, The machinery of a democratic-republican common- wealth has a higher end, and that is to bring every honest vote into the ballot-box ; to surround it with every safe- guard to its final execution of the people’s will.” — Hon, F, W, Bird, Let Lincoln and AYashington lock their mighty palms, as a deathly garrote, around the neck of the current and crescent scoundrelism which undermines the purity of our ballot-boxes, and government of the people, for the people and by the people, will not perish from the earth.” — Jo~ seph Cooh 16 DANGERS FROM THE PERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. The one end to be secured is honest elections and a fair count of votes freely cast.” — The Times^ New Torh The sole basis upon which all government rests is the control of all by majorities. Let the majority be never so small, it must be as sacred as though it were millions. It becomes the will of the people and the supreme law of the land.” — Thos. B. Reed, M (7. “They must rest under the suspicion of honest men. The simple facts of the falsification of returns, as shown in the figures of the recount, are not to be explained away ; while the raid upon the ballots themselves stands as the boldest piece of partisan brigandage ever known in this city.” — Globe, Boston, “ There is a political cancer which has been, for the last two or three decades, eating out the core of our free, popu- lar institutions Honest and fair elections lie at the foundation of our institutions. When the voice of the peo- ple, as expressed through the ballot-box, ceases to control the choice of public officers, the American Republic will have been subverted.” — Herald, New York, “We must find some way to prevent fraudulent voting, or our government is a failure Every illegal vote tends to poison the very springs and sources of power, — the very fountains of sovereignty itself. This must be done away with, — it must ; and good men of all parties must unite and insist upon the passage of laws that will guard the ballot-box forever.” — Colonel Robert Q, IngersolL “ These fundamental truths make imperative demand fcr free discussion, untrammeled voting, and honest counting. The party that attempts to nullify or limit this free action of the people — be it minority or majority — throttles the very spirit of liberty, which is the breath of life to a free government And that is the equivalent of tyranny and monarchy.” — Journal, Boston, “ Members of the Legislature, from Boston, are re- spectfully requested to note the fact that three months DANGERS FROM THE PERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. 17 have passed away since our municipal election, and that we do not know who was chosen the twelfth alderman. If our machinery is so faulty that ninety days must elapse be- fore a correct count can be made, it is time that new methods were invented for recording the will of the peo- ple.” — Journal^ Boston, “The trouble lies much deeper than is generally sus- pected This is to assume that the fraud might still have been possible, and it would be so unless the interior of the ballot-boxes were made inaccessible to the precinct officers. An effectual prevention of fraud requires a com- plete change in the system of voting In some way or other the ballot-box must be protected against great villains and small.” — Advertiser^ Boston. “ The ballot-box should be the safeguard of the Repub- lic, for it is intended to express the free will of a free peo- ple. Therefore, elections ought to be exempt from the presence of any menacing force, and to be free from the contamination of corrupt returning boards. No party de- serves confidence that seeks ascendancy by striking down honest suffrage, either by the use of troops, by fraud, or by intimidation.” — Senator David Davis, “ We cordially invite the intelligent people, .... who must lead .... if there is to be any progress, to join with us in the effort that is being made to secure union, peace, harmony, and prosperity everywhere .... upon the only foundation upon which it can ever be secured, — namely, a fair and free ballot, an honest count, .... and a practical belief in the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God.” — Gazette^ Cincinnati, “ The foundations of free government rest upon the pu- rity of the ballot. Every elector is entitled to have his vote honestly counted, and to be protected from all fraudulent practices in the conduct of elections. This is the vital ele- ment of national life All enactments, whether na- tional or state, calculated to protect the freedom and integ- 2 18 DANGERS FROM THE PERVERSION OF THE BAELOT. rity of tlie elective franchise, are earnestly to be com- mended.” — Governor Cornell's Message, “ It requires a great danger or a great shock to public confidence, — like that given by the issue of the presiden- tial election of 1876, — in order to arouse the public mind to action Henceforth, forcible revolution will be the only resource against usurpation, unless the patriotism and wisdom of the people and their representatives can provide a speedy and certain method of giving effect to the will of the people.” — Hon, Ahram S. Hewitt, But there is something more valuable than gold, green- backs, or property, — that is, the right of American citi- zens first to secure to every lawful voter an opportunity, at every national election, to cast one honest vote, and no more. The whole frame-work of our system depends upon fair elections. If you poison the ballot-box, it spreads through the whole body politic. Successful fraud upon the ballot- box would justify resistance, and will inevitably lead to des- potism and anarchy.” — Secretary Sherman, Cheating is cheating, and no form of it in connection with the suffrage is so bad or so dangerous as that which defeats the actual will of the people of any State in a gen- eral election ; for by such action the people of the whole country are wronged. The ‘ News ’ says, and we are glad to believe that it means it, that ‘ South Carolina is as deter- mined to have fair elections as to retain good local govern- ment.’ Precisely how this can be done, it remarks, nobody can tell at this moment.” — Herald^ Boston, “ The second count certainly shows a remarkable result, and one which suggests that something besides unavoidable errors in counting were made Neither can it be accepted that returns of ward officers, supposed or believed to be erroneous, must be final, for this would virtually be offering a premium upon rascality Again we call the attention of the legislature to the fact that it has taken ninety days to solve a doubt which ought to have been settled in ninety minutes. We need a better method.” — Journal^ Boston, DANGERS FROM THE RERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. 19 “ I trust that proper means may be resorted to for the purpose of securing an honest election, free from corruption and interference of intriguing volunteers. The repetition of the events of the last election would, in my belief, seri- ously shake our government to its foundation. No fraud this time, and the prospect of the future restoration of the true government elected by the people may be counted on as a blessing for many generations to come after us, but not otherwise.” — Hon, Charles Francis Adams, “ When the ballot-box ceases to be sacred, republican institutions have become a sham, which the people will no longer tolerate The time has come when the ballot- box must be regarded as the holy Palladium of our coun- try’s liberty and safety, — guarded by the wise brains, the strong arms, and the generous hearts of the people ; and whoever ventures to touch it with force or fraud should be treated as the parricide is treated who would destroy the mother who bore and nourished him.’*’ — Rev, James Free- man Clarice, D, D, ^‘The abstraction of ballots from the box for the purpose of securing a false return is a crime against every voter, .... and ought to put the guilty person or persons behind prison bars .... The honest voter has no security except in the fairness of every other voter, and in the honesty of the count. If a trick like this one can be played with im- punity, there will be men enough to repeat it on a larger scale at 'the first opportunity. It is to be hoped the author- ities will not let the matter rest, but will hold the custo- dians of the ballot-box .... to a strict account.” — Ad- vertiser^ Boston, To violate the freedom and sanctity of the suffrage is more than an evil, — it is a crime, which, if persisted in, will destroy the government itself It should be said with the utmost emphasis that this question of the suffrage will never give repose or safety to the States of the Nation until each, within its own jurisdiction, makes and keeps the 20 DANGERS FROM THE PERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. ballot free and pure by tlie strong sanctions of the law. . . . We have no standard by which to measure the disaster that may be brought upon us by ignorance and vice in the citi- zens, when joined to corruption and fraud in the suffrage.” — President Garfield's Inaugural, The nation is like a chain. Its interests are inter- woven and interlapped, but its strength is only that of its weakest part. Let one clasp break, and its security and continuance are endangered. Still, the charges of fraud and corruption stagger a layman like myself Purity in elections, a free ballot, a fair count, .... will be insisted upon by the people. The conscience of America is aroused on this matter. Let all who live recognize that he who will sell himself for a price, or offends against purity, must bear the reproach of a united people.” — Rev. Stephen H. Tyng^ Jr.^ D. D. Every part of the brain may be wounded, and the man may live ; but whenever the inedulla oblongata is touched, the injury is fatal. Now, the ballot-box is the medulla of our political system. The evil has ceased to be sporadic, — it has become a policy. Whole States are given over to fraud at the ballot-box It is a crime to tamper with the instruments of voting Both repression and perversion of the vote are crimes And this has grown to such proportions that I think the good men of all parties are aroused to this mischief, and are ready to cooperate in bringing it to an end.” — Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. “ Stuff the ballot-box much more, will it not burst ? . . . . The struggle, for both parties alike, is, of course, for the majority vote All sorts of tricks and crimes are committed, that the majority may be secured ; and sometimes the scale, according to the count, hangs so even as to tremble on the beam, and hazard the Nation’s order and peace The trouble with us is, we have so slipped from the idea of country into that of party, .... DANGERS FROM THE PERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. 21 and unless we rise above this mean notion, verily it will be on the effects of the whole, as of an intestate person, that some autocrat will administer by and by The ty- rant, indeed, cannot be far off.” — Rev, G, A, Bartol^ D, D, “ The disclosure of what was done in that ward, be- sides a prevalent opinion that things might have been done wrong at other wards and skillfully covered, will lead to a call upon the legislature for more effectual guarantees than now exist against the incapacity and rascality of pre- cinct officers Rascality in one or two precincts may turn the scale with the city, nearly divided between the parties No one can tell how much time may elapse before another close vote What the people want is the certainty, so far as it can be obtained from fallible hu- manity, that they are not cheated by their own officials.” — Transcript, Boston, Twice in the history of the United States the Nation has been brought to the verge of civil war by difficulties growing out of presidential elections It therefore results that in every part of the country, once in four years, the electors are excited by feelings connected with the presidential election. .... This makes the election enlist all the feelings, excite all the passions, and involve all the dangers usually accompanying the choice of an elective king Every ambitious man sees his personal inter- est involved in the struggle, and every unscrupulous man, who is also ambitious, feels the temptation to employ unfair means to accomplish the desired result, when honest means are inadequate.” — Judge Thomas M, Cooley, The real significance of this declaration, which appears to have been missed in some quarters, is the President’s plain avowal of his belief that the Nation, as well as the States, has a jurisdiction over the ballot-box, which it should assert in helping to keep the suffrage free and pure. .... Men who are more concerned for honest elections and for good government than for partisan success obtained 22 DANGERS FROM THE PERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. ‘ at any cost ’ will naturally support the position taken by the President The United States cannot be, in any practical sense, a Nation, unless it has the power to protect citizens whose highest allegiance it claims, and to guarantee to each State such a republican form of government as is based upon the will of the majority, fairly and freely ex- pressed and lawfully executed.” — Herald^ Boston, “ But one may run a risk once too often The people are loyal, law-abiding. They prefer order, and have no taste for misrule and uproar Let the good citizen perform the duties put on him here and now. It is not possible to extricate yourself from the questions in which your age is involved It is not by heads re- verted .... that you can combat the dangers and dragons that beset the United States at this time We‘want a state of things in which crime will not pay It is our part to carry out, to the last, the ends of liberty and justice. We shall stand then for vast interests. North and South, East and West, will be present to our minds, and our vote will be as if they voted, and we shall know that our vote secures the foundations of the State.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson, It is universally admitted that at least 250 ballots were stolen from Precinct 3, Ward 13, Tuesday evening. Who stole them ? This is a question which must be answered ; and when it is answered the next thing will be to punish the rascal as he deserves. It matters not of what party he may be, or how high in party management may stand the persons who incited him to the crime. No one connected with this shameful outrage upon honest suffrage .... can be permitted to go unpunished. It is not a wrong against any political party, but against the whole body of our citi- zens ; for all are equally interested in securing a fair elec- tion, .... and all are equally injured when fraud pre- vents an honest expression of the will of the people Boston cannot afford to let such a thing as this pass as a harmless vagary of the election.” — Glohe^ Boston, DANGERS FROM THE PERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. 23 The corruption or destruction of the ballot is a crime against free government, and, when successful, is sub- version of free government The mighty power of fifty millions of people — with a continent for their posses- sion — can only be wielded permanently by being wielded •honestly. In a fair and generous struggle for partisan power let us not forget those issues and ends which are above party. Organized wrong will ultimately be met by organized resistance. Impartial suffrage is our theory ; it must become our practice. Any party of American citi- zens can bear to be defeated, but no party of Americans will bear to be defrauded. The men who are interested in a dishonest count are units ; and the men who are interested in an honest count are millions To this simple and sublime principle let us, in the lofty language of Burke, attest the retiring generations ; let us attest the advanc- ing generations, between which, as a link in the great chain of eternal order, we stand.’’ — Senatar Blaine, A government based upon popular suffrage can be suc- cessful in the best sense only to the extent that the popu- lar voice is freely expressed, fairly and honestly ascertained, and fully obeyed. It is therefore of the greatest consequence that the purity and sanctity of the ballot should be guarded by the wisest and best legislation that statesmanship can devise. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of this subject in a government such as ours, where the su- preme power is vested only in the people, to be exercised by means of the ballot. Fairness and honesty in the con- duct of elections will alone keep pure the sources of power in the government Wise and prudent citizens may well say that if we lose faith in the machinery provided for the expression of the popular will, we must also eventually lose faith in our free government The problem of how to secure and preserve freedom and fairness in elec- tions grows annually more grave and difficult To be assured that this problem has been solved is to know 24 DANGERS FROM THE PERVERSION OF THE BALLOT. that our greatest danger has been removed — and therefore every citizen should be willing to contribute towards its solution I maintain that plain, simple, and ample remedies are within our reach ; the adoption of which would injure none, while, as nearly as human laws could do so, they would protect the rights of all The task of providing against the most crying evils of our system of election laws should be approached with the conviction that the people can well afford to be put to some pains and ex- pense in order to protect the purity of the ballot, and if thus approached the problem will be found very easy of solution. .... No difference of opinion can exist among honest men as to the propriety, nay, the necessity, of secur- ing these ends, which all will admit constitute the founda- tions upon which the fabric of free government rests. To render them secure is to perpetuate our institutions, and transmit them pure and strong to future generations.” — Secretary Me Grary, A EEMEDY RECOMMENDED. OPINIONS OF SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS, ATTESTING THE PRACTICABILITY OF THE BACON ANTI-FRAUD BAL- LOT-BOX TO ACCOMPLISH THE END SOUGHT. “Very ingenious and complete.” — Professor R. W Ray- mond^ Editor of Engineering and. Mining Journal, New York. It is all that you claim for it. It cannot but do its work as designed, without fail.” — E, Howard, of Howard Watch ^ Clock Co, Entirely practical Admirably adapted to the purpose intended. .... You are entitled to the thanks of the country for your invaluable invention.” — Horace Lord, SupH. Colt's P, F, Arms Co. ‘‘ It will do a good work perfectly, if unscrupulous poli- ticians will stand aside and allow it to go into use A prohibitory law which all good citizens will approve.” — Jas. H Roberts, Machinist, “ A combination of strength and simplicity, cunningly contrived to the end sought, namely, an honest vote, count, and tabulation, by means at once practical and within the easy comprehension of those who conduct elections.” — General E. W. Serrell, Civil Engineer. “ A really anti-fraud ballot-box, — not liable to derange- ment, easily operated, and yet so practical and efficient that the ordinary election officer must find it a great assistance in the canvassing and counting of ballots.” — Charles B, Richards, Mechanical Engineer, Supt. Southwark Foundry and Machine Co., Philadelphia. 26 A REMEDY RECOMMENDED. Election officers will find tins system of voting and counting ballots less intricate and more expeditious than the present method ; while for simplicity, accuracy, relia- bility to perform its functions, and non-liability to get out of order, it is preeminent.’^ — Thomas Leavitt^ Mechanical Engineer. “ In a mechanical sense, it cannot fail to perform its work accurately. It has no complicated details to puzzle officials ; on the contrary, it will simplify and expedite their labors in ascertaining the exact results of all the lawful votes cast.” — F, W. Howe^ Mechanical Engineer^ late of the Firm of Broion ^ Sharpe Mfg. Co. A very important invention for the prevention of frauds at elections, and worthy the best attention of those public-spirited men who have done so much to secure a pure ballot. As a mechanical device it is perfect, — du- rable in construction, simple in operation, and certain in ac- tion.” — Charles Whittier^ PresH. Whittier Machine Co. “ The mechanism of your improved ballot-box appears to me to be ingeniously arranged for the receiving, registering, and counting of ballots deposited, and I can see no reason why, under ordinary circumstances, any of the machinery would be liable to get out of order from either use or wear.” — Ex- Mayor J. M. Wightman^ Manufacturer of Philo soph- teal Instruments. “ I cannot conceive of the devising of. a ballot-box that will defeat frauds, and attain the legal results of elections, in a more direct and practical manner than the one now before me. It cannot fail to give eminent satisfaction to all honest voters and candidates, and the election officials who, under the old system, have the seemingly difficult task of determining the results of the vote.” — Anthony Pol- loh, Expert and Counsel in Patent Causes. ‘‘ The ^ checks and balances ’ that are attainable in your ballot-box would have been quite sufficient to have se- cured, shortly after the close of the polls, a just result A REMEDY RECOMMENDED. 27 of the recent election in Boston ; while those who would attempt the dastardly acts that have fastened so much dis- grace, labor, and expense upon the city would have been detected. In the interest of common justice, order, and economy, let us have your simple and efficient box.’’ — Ex- Alderman Charles R. AIcLean^ Pres. Am. Tool and Ma- chine Company. ‘‘ From my frequent intercourse with you during your four years’ labors to secure the honest results of elections, I am sure you have solved the problem effectually. Your ballot-box secures strict secrecy to every lawful vote ; gives an alarm as each is received ; accompanied with a metallic washer to detect stuffing, repeating, personating, stealing, ex- changing, canceling, counting in or out, false counting, re- turning, and tabulating. It counts and files each ballot and washer consecutively on a wire in the box, beyond the reach of any hand, and shows the aggregate vote, with which the official count must agree, the box not being opened dur- ing all this time ; and when the polling is over a metallic seal makes the wire endless, while the canvass and count proceeds. The votes are thus retained in their original condition for recount, in case the returns or tabulations ap- pear to be erroneous or fraudulent. It allows the counting to proceed while voting is in progress. Durable and sim- ple, its use will reduce the labors of officials, and enable them to reach an accurate result within an hour from the close of the polls ; while the cost and bad feeling engen- dered by contested elections will be obviated.” — H. A. G. Pomeroy^ late Civil Engineer Coifs P. F. Arms Co. GENERAL COMMENDATIONS OT THE PKESS, CLERGY, STATESMEN, AND BUSINESS MEN. “ It is an ‘ electoral law ’ in itself.” — J, G, Bates, A great desideratum in American elections.” — Prof. Goldwin Smith, “ Nothiog but a sledge hammer can beat it.” — Ex- Gov- ernor Young, M. G, It will greatly aid me in my efforts to secure honest elections.” — Hon. John I. Davenport. Proof against all frauds hitherto used, — preeminently practical and useful.” — Wendell Phillips. ‘‘A wonderfully complete and effective invention to de- tect and defeat frauds at elections.” — Geo. Wm. Bond. “A most ingenious and effective arrangement for pre- venting election frauds.” — E. L. Godhin, of the Nation. It will detect and defeat most of the gross frauds now so prevalent in our elections.” — Hon. George Bliss. “ Certainly an ingenious invention, and I should think a practicable one.” — Col. Thos. Wentworth Higginson. “ Remarkably calculated to command and secure honesty in elections.” — Hon. Nahum Gapen, LL. D., Author of “ The History of DemocracyJ^ Greatly interested and surprised at the scope and com- pleteness of this wondrous contrivance.” — Rev. A. A. Miner, D. D. It will effectually defeat the frauds upon the ballot, and should be adopted by all the States.” — Hon. Edward Cooper, Ex-Mayor of New York. GENERAL COMMENDATIONS. 29 “ It is a macliine to compel honest voting. It may bring in the millennium ! Who knows ? ” — Rev, Henry Ward Beecher, “ Unless something of this kind is resorted to, I fear our government will end in anarchy.” — Hon, Leverett Salton- stall, “ It meets a real want in elections, — preventing the worst forms of frauds practiced by the unprincipled.” — Rev, John P. Newman,, D, D, “ Renders voting frauds almost impossible Some- thing in which honest men and patriots are deeply inter- ested.” — W, D, Howells,, while Editor Atlantic Monthly, “ Desperate diseases require desperate remedies, but here is a desperate disease with a simple remedy.” — Ben- jamin H West, M, D, A complete safeguard .... if material security may be adopted ; this gives more promise of usefulness than any I have seen.” — Ex- Gov, Alex, H, Rice, “ I wish you all success in your efforts, but I am too much occupied with other matters to be able to give it per- sonal attention.” — Gyrus W, Field, LL, D, Feeling a deep interest in the question of honest voting, I shall be glad of the success of any method in that direc- tion.” — Hon, Peter T, Homer. “ An extremely efficient method for ascertaining an hon- est and accurate result at the polls.” — Ex-Mayor Samuel G, Gohh, “ One of the most perfect safeguards against frauds yet discovered, and also a device for facilitating the counting of the ballots.” — E. M, Stone, in Journal of Gommerce, “ A very ingenious and simple affair, and contains safe- guards that seem perfect against all known methods of frauds at elections.” — Advertiser, Boston, “ A ballot-box like this, to secure a fair vote and an accu- rate count, should encounter no opposition to its universal introduction.” — Hon, Wm, A, Simmons, 30 GENERAL COMMENDATIONS. Have examined this instrument with great interest Protection of the ballot against fraud will be hailed as the great reform of the age.’’ — Rev, J. L, Dudley, It deserves a very careful consideration on the part of public men whose ambition is to keep the ballot-box from fraud and corruption.” — Hon. Daniel Needham, It would tend to allay much of the bitter strife now so prevalent, for it would, in a manner not to be disputed, show who had the most legal votes.” — Gov, Daniel F, Davis. A beautiful mechanical achievement, which appears to be a complete safeguard. I should like to see it in general use in all the States.” — Collector A. W. Beard, Boston, Do not take to yourself too much credit for this immac- ulate invention, for the Supreme Architect directed and guided you from the beginning.” — J. K. Southmayd. “ All patriotic citizens are deeply interested in having a strictly anti-fraud ballot-box introduced. To my mind yours appears to fulfill this requirement.” — Jackson S, Schultz. If you can aid Mr. Bacon in introducing his ballot-box, you will never have to give yourself any anxiety about obtaining a fair vote.” — D. H. Craig, Inceptor of Rapid Telegraphy, It appears to be an effectual remedy against frauds upon the ballot, and I will cheerfully render you such assistance as I can to its introduction.” — Col. Henry Walker, Police Commissioner, Boston. ^‘Your ballot-box prevents fraud, in that it substitutes incorruptible machinery for corruptible humanity. No hon- est citizen need fear the results of such election safeguards.” — Parker C. Chandler, If the use of your ballot-box can be enforced by law, it will greatly simplify and expedite our elections, and bar the prevailing frauds therein.” — Thos, C. Acton, Superintendent of Assay Office, New York. “ This is the cutest Yankee invention I have seen. It will detect illegal votes, bounce the political bummers, and GENERAL COMMENDATIONS. 31 give the honest results of elections easily and expeditiously.” — CoL Roh't G. IngersolL “ Legislative bodies should give the subject presented by your ballot-box careful and deliberate attention, with a view to legislation compelling its use, either in whole or in part.” — Uriel H, Cr ocher. Repeating would be practically useless in a box of this kind There are other admirable features to this in- vention, which, it is said, are perfect guards against fraud.” — Eagle, Brooklyn, N, Y, I am greatly pleased with your skillful invention, for its valuable safeguards, and the assistance it will render officials in determining the results of elections with accuracy and expedition.” — Ex- Gov, Wm. Gaston, “ A true protection against the frauds which are so rap- idly bringing our elections into disrepute Certainly^ the magnitude of the interests involved make the expense of little consequence.” — Wm, Eidicott,, Jr, “You ought not to experience any difficulty in introduc- ing your ballot-box, — calculated as it is to avert the evil tendencies of elections, and enhance the real interests -of government and the people.” — Henry N, Sawyer, “ The ingenuity of ballot-box staffers is met by the in- genuity of the inventor, and the fraud of rogues is overcome by the honest laws of mechanics. ‘ The honest legislator should welcome this reinforcement as a blessing.’ ” — Hon, Thomas Bussell, “ An ingenious contrivance to prevent ballot-stuffing, false counting, etc., which might w^ell be introduced by law. There have been times when such a ballot-box would have prevented gross frauds.” — F, B, Sanborn, in Springfield Republican, “ Impresses us favorably, and we do not see why it may not, if supplemented by law defining its use, do all that is claimed for it Must entitle its inventor to the thanks of all friends of good government.” — Monitor, Concord, N, H. 32 GENERAL COMMENDATIONS. The virtues and equities which the use of your thought- ful invention would infuse into the politics of this country should be a sufficient argument for its speedily gaining leg- islative favor.” — Ex- Alderman Worthington^ of the Traveller j Boston. Joseph Cook’s approval of a specially ingenious anti- fraud ballot-box means that, while rascals have applied great ingenuity to the perpetration of frauds, our States, governed by honest men, should apply equal ingenuity to baffle frauds.” — The Independent, ‘‘We are both engaged in a crusade against frauds, — one species tending to undermine the constitutions of the people, and the other the Republic. May success attend the labors of those who promote the best good of all.” — Geo. T. Angell. % “ Having carefully examined your system, and seen ev- ery objection and contingency provided for, I feel certain that when it is known by the potential members of the two great parties they cannot refuse to interest themselves in its behalf.” — J. C. Wyman. “ Congress and all the States should, without any hesita- tion or delay, pass appropriate legislation compelling the use of this simple and equitable method for securing an honest vote and an accurate count.” — Hon. Peter Cooper^ LL. D. “ The recent near approach of our government to an- archy, by reason of a disputed election, should admonish our law-makers to guard against a repetition of the evil. Your box seems to possess the safeguards that are essential to this end.” — HD. Cushing. “ Yours is the Battle of the Great Day. Righteousness and Iniquity confront each other, as you come quietly upon the stage, and, with your ballot-box, calmly pull down this Kingdom, of Fraud ! Never suffer your faith to waver as to which shall conquer.” — A South Carolinian. “ The evil is of great magnitude, and many people here GENERAL COMMENDATIONS. 83 feel that it is of little use to vote, inasmuch as the re- turns are so often fraudulent. What we need is to have the lawful votes returned as they are cast, without addition, subtraction, or alteration.’’ — Hon. Geo. G. Crocker. “ I have conferred with several prominent citizens of San Francisco, and do not doubt, if you bring your ballot-box here, that they will interest themselves to secure its speedy adoption. There is need enough of it, if the Republic is to endure.” — Judge J. W. North. ‘‘ It cannot be adopted too soon .... and for the next presidential election. It is hardly necessary to political housekeeping in New Hampshire, but would be a good thing to have in the house, nevertheless.” — Hon. 0. G. Moore., in The Telegraphy Nashua^ N. H “ This stuffing of ballot-boxes has extended from the cities to the rural districts, and is rotting out the very foundations of a representative government. A mechanical contrivance like this, to arrest these terrible frauds, ought to be resorted to.” — Don Piatt. The stern mandate of your unrivaled ballot-box can but secure to the government and people of our Union ends that make for peace. Therefore, the generous cooperation of all good citizens, to make it the standard, should be promptly given.” — Charles E. Wiggin. Against all the tricks of the machine in politics, I would back your instrument at the polls. It would defeat them all It will do more to guard the ballot-box from the profanation of politicians than all the churches, all the journals, and all the orators in the land.”~-e7ames Redpath. believe your anti-fraud ballot-box to be correctly named. The rapidity and ease with which it can be oper- ated, and the assistance it will render officials in determin- ing the results of a vote, mark it as a reform greatly to be desired.” — Wm, A. Gamp, Manager Clearing- House y New York. 3 34 GENERAL COMMENDATIONS. Any practical ballot-box that will defeat the frauds of unprincipled men at the polls, and secure an honest vote and an honest count, ought to find favor with every lover of his country. I will do what I can to facilitate your endeavors to place your box before the proper authori- ties.” — Mayor Frederick 0. Prince, ‘‘ One of the most curious and valuable .... devices for securing a fair election and an honest count Would prevent any person from casting more than one ballot, or at least prevent more than one being counted As nearly perfect a device for preventing fraud at the polls as has been devised.” — Whitelaw Reid, in The Tribune, A ballot-box of this kind should be universally adopted. It would compel a large number of political bummers and leeches to go to work for an honest living. Our coming General Assembly would do well to examine the inven- tion, and if it does all that it promises order its use in all elections.” — Palladium, New Haven, Conn, It will be seen that the machine combines simplicity, efficiency, and rapidity; .... hardly possible for it to get out of order There can be no collusion to defraud among the ward officers ; . . . . cannot be tampered with, . ... on account of the seal, which, unlike the tape de- vices now in use, cannot be destroyed by anything but act- ual violence.” — Advertiser, Boston, It is a patriotic invention. It has good masticating power, and cannot be stuffed. It has a good arithmetic, and cannot be miscounted. It has the eyes of the eagle and of the owl, and cannot be eluded by day or by night. All it lacks is a soul. Let the legislatures give it that, by making it legal. It is the friend of the Republic, seeking peace, order, and fraternity, and deserves to live. It cannot harm the honest voter ; give it a chance to harm the dishonest voter.” — Rev, G, H. Fowler, D. I),, LL, D. “ A very valuable contribution to the honesty of elec^ tions is the Bacon ballot-box .... which deserves the GENERAL COMMENDATIONS. 35 most careful attention of all who are interested in honest voting and counting, .... very simple, .... and re- quires only slight changes in the electoral laws It has been tested by skillful experts, who have ingeniously sought to evade its operations, but every point appears to have been guarded.” — Geo. Wm. Curtis, in Havper's Weekly. “ There was a ballot-box shown in this city some two or three years since, which numbered the ballots consecutively as they were deposited, kept a record of the whole number, and admitted only one at a time. Some such arrangement, .... will have to be adopted if we are to have satisfactory and conclusive counts. It will be urged that the people want to know who is elected before they go home election night. Election was three months ago, and they donH know yeC^ — Transcript, Boston. “ In spite of the simplicity of the mechanism, a dozen forms of frauds in ballot-boxes are prevented entirely, or certainly embarrassed, by use of this hook, the washers, the bell, and the enumerator. A full ballot, an intelligent bal- lot, a ballot independent of political partisanship, a ballot fairly counted, — these reforms, and nothing less, will pre- vent republican governments, under universal suffrage, from perishing off the face of the earth. State legislatures and Congress ought to examine carefully and promptly, and adopt this brilliant invention.” — Joseph Cook. Our only salvation is in the protection of the ballot. An honest vote, count, and tabulation, are the important re- sults that must be insured. By the use of this box, no person can cast more than one vote without detection; and stuffing, in any manner, is impossible. A correct and honest count is insured, and every possibility of making false returns is precluded. All this is done, and the voting proceeded with in even more rapidity than in the ordi- nary way. The box is very simple in its mechanism, and 3G GENERAL COMMENDATIONS. can be furnished at trifling expense.’’ — J, W, Hayes^ in The Union, Kenosha, Wisconsin, We give it our cordial approbation, and desire its adop- tion : ” — Otis Norcross . . . Boston William Endicott, Jr. J. Iiigersoll Bowditcli H. O. Houghton Bufus S. Frost Leverett Saltonstall A. A. Aliner Ezra E'arnsworth Edward Austin Wendell Phillips “ Charles R. Train “ Simple in construction and inexpensive, .... it has been examined with much interest by a number of gen- tlemen interested to secure the purity of the ballot ; and the general verdict appears to be that it will accomplish all that Air. Bacon claims. It registers the number of votes, exposes any attempt at stuffing, facilitates the can- vass of votes cast, and prevents the marking, abstraction, subtraction, or addition of ballots by dishonest officials. When two or more ballots are found between any two of the washers, it is evident that there has been accidental or in- tentional ‘stuffing,’ and in such a case only. one ballot is counted, the other or others being cut diagonally across, so that the record of fraud or accident shall remain. Thus the number of ballots counted and the number of washers sep- arating each legal ballot from any other will correspond with the number indicated by the register. After the votes have all been counted the box is again closed and sealed, in which condition it will remain until the retention of the ballots is no longer necessary.” — Boston. “ PAerybody is willing to admit that the permanence of our institutions of government depends, in a very great de- Stanley Alatthews Cincinnati. Jacob D. Cox “ Alfonso Taft “ George A. Smith “ William Wiswell “ John A. Gano “ Julius Dexter “ Henry Kesler “ Ben. Butterworth “ Thomas L. Young “ GENERAL COMMENDATIONS. 37 gree, upon maintaining the purity of the ballot. For years it has been a stigma and a reproach upon the people of the United States that in many localities the count of the votes in the ballot-box, or the return of the officer, did not fur- nish a true index of the popular will ; and the near ap- proach of the country to the verge of anarchy, as the result of the last presidential election (1876), has drawn attention to the subject, more earnestly than ever before, of provid- ing better safeguards to secure absolute fairness at the polls. Every vote cast fraudulently is a crime against society; and every false return is equally criminal, and may even endan- ger the foundations of the government. It becomes us all, therefore, in view of the experiences of the past and the forebodings of the future, to remit no effort to secure and maintain the integrity of the ballot. Restrictive laws have been passed, with heavy penalties for their violation, but in many cases they have failed to suppress frauds, as they often fail in suppressing other crimes ; and hence the need becomes apparent for some more direct and positive means to accomplish the desired result. This, we believe, is now available in the use of mechanism. Anything that is done by machinery, that is perfect in its adaptation of means to ends, is far better and more uniformly done than individuals can do it. A mechanical ballot-box cannot tell a lie, nor vote double, nor steal ballots, nor miscount. It cannot under- stand the significance of a bribe or of a wager ; and it is not susceptible to any of the influences that prompt bad men to cheat at the polls. We have examined a ballot-box, with great satisfaction, the invention of one of our citizens, which seems to fulfill all the conditions requisite for making fraudulent voting and counting impossible. No printed de- scription that we could give would adequately describe its merits, but wherever seen it cannot fail to be appreciated as a simple, efficient, and scientific mechanical contrivance, which will prevent hereafter, if generally adopted, all the costly and dangerous controversies which so often have 38 GENERAL COMMENDATIONS. arisen in regard to the results of a vote by ballot, or the re- turns of ward officers, inspectors, and returning boards.’’ — Herald^ Boston. The following are quotations from letters written by Will- iam Lloyd Garrison, a short time before his decease : Hon. Thos. Kussell : ‘‘ My dear Friend^ — I need not say to you that among the perils which threaten the overthrow of our free institu- tions is the increasing tendency to fraudulent voting and the making of false returns ; whereby the actual expression of the popular will is set at naught, and corruption and usurpation are enabled to seize the reins of government. How to remedy this is a question of the first magnitude. Clearly, if elections are to be conducted as they have been, without any reliable safeguards, the result will be from bad to worse, — involving the most sacred rights and the dear- est interests of the people. This is a matter that overleaps all party divisions, and directly concerns the safety of the country ; and to be hostile or indifferent to its grave consid- erations is to become accessory to crime. “ What is imperatively needed is a method by which every ballot, honestly cast, shall be honestly counted ; and every fraudulent ballot, and every false return, shall be quickly and surely detected. This, on a close examination, I am confident has been devised by Mr. Bacon .... in so contriving a ballot-box as to defy every attempt at stuff- ing or miscounting the votes actually thrown, and so put- ting an end to all contested elections, on the ground of frauds having been perpetrated, and insuring the purity of elections. “ If this ballot-box is what its ingenious inventor claims for it, it is of priceless value ; and of the many acute per- sons who have given it a close inspection, no one has yet been able to point out wherein it is defective as against the devices of political tricksters; and its speedy adoption by GENERAL COMMENDATIONS. 39 every State is something to be hoped for and strenuously ui-ged Truly, ‘ the price of liberty is eternal vigi- lance ; ’ and if its glorious cause can be protected and ad- vanced by ingenious mechanism and the inventive faculty, let us rejoice, and place the inventor high on the list of public benefactors. William Lloyd Garrison.” “ Hon. John M. Forbes : Dear Sir, — Assured of your patriotic concern for the stability of our free institutions, .... I take the liberty of introducing to you the bearer, Mr. S. T. Bacon, who, for the past two years, has been anxiously pondering the ques- tion : — By what method or device, at once simple and effect- ive, can there be a stop put to frauds in voting and counting ballots ? . . . . He has at last contrived, with admirable mechanical ingenuity, a ballot-box, whereby all stuffing will be certainly frustrated, and an honest count legitimately se- cured. Of course, it will not be acceptable to unscrupulous and dishonest partisans, who wish every safeguard broken down ; but this will all the more’ evince its value and im- portance, which are too great to be easily computed, in view of the increasing corruption and profligacy attending elec- tions. William Lloyd Garrison.” My dear Mr. Endicott : .... ‘Mt is a mechanical achievement of the highest order, and of the greatest importance in securing a true ex- pression of the will of the people in all municipal, state, and national elections. It is the product, moreover, of an earnest, patriotic solicitude for the stability of our republican insti- tutions, which are becoming more and more endangered by fraudulent ballots and false returns, .... presenting a most alarming crisis in the history of our country, which this invention is admirably adapted to meet in the most ef- 40 GENERAL COMMENDS 3 0112 098216903 AllONS. fective manner. Its adoption cannot fail to give satisfaction to all honest and upright voters, irrespective of party divi- sions. William Lloyd Garrison.” Mr. S. T. Bacon : Mi/ dear Sir, — A careful scrutiny of your ballot-box has strongly impressed me with a sense of its exceeding value and importance in preventing all fraudulent voting and all false returns For its ingenious contrivance you deserve great credit, and still more for the patriotic motive which has led you to the expenditure of so much time, labor, and money in perfecting it. It should be the standard ballot-box in every State, for it seems guarded at every point, rendering abortive every device of political knavery to thwart its purpose. I trust you will find gen- tlemen of infiuence and means, of all political parties, dis- posed to do what they can to procure its universal adoption. William Lloyd Garrison.” Finally, fellow-citizens and legislators, election frauds appearing to have been committed, their indictment pre- sented, the witnesses to them, and the remedy, having testified, — in the interest of lawful results at elections and all that is implied thereby, what shall your verdict and remedy be ? STEUBEN T. BACON, 125 West Concord Street, Boston, Mass.