64 OBSERVATIONS ON THE BARB RY8TEM 



to the use of written figures, ia thai t<> ;i great extent it invades 

 or endangers the wisely guarded secrecy <»f the ballot ; for the 

 figures written by many persons are as characteristic as their 

 writingi and might be recognised, and the name of the voter, 

 and how he recorded his vote, might thus be improperly 

 disclosed by persons subsequently handling the ballot-papers^ 



There arc. therefore, three difficulties to be met, and for 



which BOme means should he devised to dispose of them, or, at 

 any rate, to lessen their evil effects, viz : — 



1. To devise means wherehy voters, who are unable i<> read 



or write, may readily determine the position and names of the 



candidates preferred by them upon the ballot-paper when the 

 latter is placed in their hands. 



k 2. To record the figures 1, 2, »'J, &c, against eaeli name 

 indicating voter's preference accurately and easily, without the 

 necessity of writing by hand. 



3. To record these figures, showing order of preference in 

 such a manner as will fail to disclose to anyone the identity of 

 the voter who lnis privately recorded them. Having devoted 

 some attention to this very important matter, I think I cp.n 

 disclose a simple plan which would remove all such difficulties. 



now TO DETERMINE THE NAMES OP PREFERRED 

 CANDIDATES UPON BALLOT-PAPER. 



First, to help those who cannot read and of themselves are, 

 therefore, unable to determine the position of the names of the 

 candidates they prefer upon the hallot-paper, 1 would suggest 

 that immediately the names of candidates for election are 

 declared let there be prepared a large printed poster bill 

 recording in large print the names of the various candidates 

 exactly in the same style of type (except size), and in the same 

 order of sequence as the names will he printed on the ballot- 

 paper proper. A.gainst each name, in front, print boldly the 

 litho-photo of the head and features of the candidate. If these 

 large posters were affixed to the principal hoardings throughout 

 the city, where the names continuously associated with the 

 candidate's photograph would frequently meet the eye of the 

 citizens, it is certain that every voter, even though unable to 

 read or write, would within seven days be well acquainted with 

 each candidate's printed name ami could locate the exact 

 position when* such name would be found upon the ballot-paper 

 when placed in his hand, on the day of election, without the 

 aid of anyone. The secret of the manner in which such 

 person voted would thus be as secure as it is now to persons 

 who aro able to read and write. 



