THE MYERS BALLOT MACHINE

Myers' mechanical lever voting machine.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, February 19, 1894.

THE MYERS BALLOT MACHINE.

Out of Order at Cazenovia and Takes Two Days to do the Voting.

   The following from the Cazenovia Republican of Thursday tells how the Myers Ballot machine [link opens in pdf] worked in that town last Tuesday. Do the voters of Cortland village want to enjoy the same experience?

   The feature of the election in the town of Cazenovia was the failure of the Myers ballot machine to do the work expected of it. The machine arrived on Friday, and was set up on the stage of the Casa Nova and supposedly made ready for business Monday. Tuesday morning after the polls had been declared open, it was found that the counter on the outside which registers the total number of votes cast, was not in running order, and after half an hour's work in trying to make it register correctly, it was disconnected and voting proceeded without it. As the day wore on it became evident that it would be impossible for all the votes to be cast in one day. A long line of voters reached across the stage, and down through the entrance to the floor of the auditorium. It was necessary to pass through the entire line one notch at a time, in order to get an opportunity to vote, and at almost no time through the day could this be done under an hour. By the time the voter reached the machine he was thoroughly tired, and thoroughly out of sorts, and in three cases out of four the first move he made on getting inside was to give a savage push on the knob that registered against the purchase of the machine.

   About the middle of the afternoon it was announced that the election would be continued another day, and the residents of the village were requested to refrain from voting for that day, so that the farmers from out of town could have an opportunity to vote without making a second trip. Voting was resumed Wednesday and continued until 4 o'clock, when the machine was opened and the vote announced.

   The machines now set up in Cortland will not allow a button for each name on the different tickets, and two inspectors of election have to be voted for at once on the same button. If a voter wants to vote against one of them he can't do it.

   The Milford Tidings contains a column article arguing against the purchase of the Myers voting machine, which costs $480, and can be used only at town meeting. Among other things it says: "There are other voting machines about to be placed on the market which are claimed to be great improvements on the Myers, and will be sold at a much lower price. The writer has thoroughly examined one such invention which is certainly far superior in many respects to the Myers machine."

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Town Meeting.

   Every Republican without exception, and every Democrat who is on the political anxious-seat or under conviction or error of his former ways, owes it to himself and the country to turn out at town meeting and do some straight Republican voting. No opportunity should be allowed to pass at local elections of repeating and emphasizing the declaration made by the people at last fall's general elections that they have had enough of the Democratic party, of its free trade and financial heresies, and of the depression, suffering and business disaster which it has brought on the country. An intelligent mechanic of this village, a life-long Democrat, expressed the feeling of a large class of voters a few days since when he said: "I have always voted the Democratic ticket and believed that the leaders of the Democratic party knew enough to run the business of the government. But they don't. They don't know any thing [sic]—and I've voted the Democratic ticket for the last time." Hosts of former Democrats have come to the same conclusion, and they cannot give earlier or better expression to their change of heart than by voting a Republican town ticket. Let every town in the county join in the roar which will go up all over the state, wherever town or city elections are held, and which will herald the coming in November next of the greatest political tidal wave which has ever swept over this or any other country.

  

◘ Is there not power enough in this Union to rid the country of the bands of bank and train robbers that seem to be having things their own way in the west just at present? What are people about when, in broad day light, at noon, one or two desperadoes can walk into a bank and rob it? Where was the whole town of Pawnee, O. T., when it permitted three members of the Dalton gang to do this?  What do cashiers mean that they do not have pistols ready for use, and why do they not adopt target practice as a form of athletic exercise?

  

◘ No wonder the story of the extraordinary rejoicing over the birth of a son to Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria was followed almost immediately by the news that his young mother was lying at the point of death. Round after round of cannon was fired in the palace yard. All the inhabitants of Sofia came with brass bands and tin horns and tooted under the windows night and day. The child of three days' old had to be taken every day to the windows and held up to the gaze of a crowd. The diabolical racket and excitement would have killed a giant who was ill, much less a poor, weak young little woman. The life of the mother of the royal child seemed a matter of no consequence.

  

◘ Susan B. Anthony says in reference to the economic arrangement of modern society: "The fact that it is a condition in which 90 per cent of the population depend for their bread on whether the other 10 per cent make money shows that it is wrong. But I don't believe the men can better it any—not without the women."

  

Who Is the Physician?

   The Christian science and mind cure practitioners have created an excitement in medical ranks not exceeded since the regular profession attempted to sit down upon the water curists and homeopaths. The water cure fad adapted itself, so far as it was good to all schools of practice, while homeopathy fought till it secured an equal foothold legally with the regular school. Now all the schools seem to be combined against the last interloper—the Christian science or mind cure healer.

   The established schools of medicine wish in some of the states to take away by law from the mind cure people and the C. S's., the right to practice. These fight back, and a periodical called "Living Issues" has been established to combat the attempts of the doctors to break down the scientists.

   What the outcome will be it is hard to say. One writer puts forth a brilliant way of settling the controversy. It is to let that doctor practice who cures the most patients. It is exceedingly hard to draw the line where the people should be protected from quacks. Perhaps they will be protected most effectually by letting them go ahead and get their own eyes open so that they can protect themselves.

John Y. McKane.

SIX YEARS AT SING SING.

The Gravesend Boss is Overcome By the Sentence.

   BROOKLYN, N. Y., Feb. 19—John Y. McKane, the Gravesend political Boss, was sentenced this morning by Justice Williard Bartlett in the court of oyer and terminer, to six years' imprisonment in the state prison at Sing Sing. The sentence was a great surprise to everyone. It was expected that the jury's recommendation to mercy would induce Justice Bartlett to be more lenient. When the judge pronounced sentence, McKane turned deathly pale and clutched the railing before him, and tears rolled down his cheeks.

Indian Outbreak Threatened.

   EL RENO, O. T., Feb. 19.—The Kiowas and Comanche Indians have assumed a warlike attitude and threaten to drive the settlers and stock from their reservation because they have received no grass lease payment since October. The wire fences are being cut and cattle butchered by the malcontent Indians, many of whom are desperate. It is feared the situation will become alarming unless they receive money due them which amounts to $60,000.

BREVITIES.

                               A famous judge came late to court,

                               One day in busy season,

                               Whereat the clerk in great surprise,

                               Inquired of him the reason,

                               "A child was born," his honor said,

                               "And I'm the happy sire."

                               "An infant judge?" "Oh, no," said he.

                               "As yet he's but a crier."

   —"Gumption," Feb. 20, Congregational church, Dr. Edward Taylor.

   —The board of supervisors in Chenango county stands Republicans 17, Democrats, 4.

   —A meeting of the board of trustees will be held this evening in the clerk's office.

   —The Celtic Daughters are requested to meet in Empire hall on Wednesday evening, Feb 21 at 7:30 o'clock.

   —Dr. Taylor will tell you about "Gumption" at the Congregational church to-morrow evening at 7:30. P. M.

   —The yell committee of the C. A. A. [Cortland Athletic Assoc.] hold a meeting at the club house at 7:30 o'clock sharp this evening to decide on the club yell.

   —The Clover club give a box party in their parlors next Friday evening. Cards, refreshments and dancing will be the order of the evening.

   —Rev. Edward S. Frisbee, D. D., has tendered to the trustees of Wells college at Aurora, N. Y., his resignation as president of the college.

   —Dr. E. M, Santee received notice Saturday that the marksmen's badges won by the members of the Forty-fifth Separate Co. last September, will be here soon.

   —School Commissioner Nathan L. Miller [an attorney] has removed from the office of Smith & Dickinson to the Beaudry building, where he will occupy part of the office of Attorney John H. Kelley.

   —The mothers' meeting (north) will be held at the home of Mrs. W. A. Russell, 94 Maple-ave., Friday, Feb, 23, at 2:30 P. M. Subject, "A Study of Child-Nature." All ladies are cordially invited.

   —When Mr. R. H. Stark of 156 Tompkins st. went out yesterday to feed his sixteen White Leghorn hens he found them lying flat on the ground and suffering from the effects of what proved to be a large dose of Paris green [arsenic,] which some unknown party had given them. Since that time all have died.

   —Mrs. Donald Monroe has brought to The STANDARD office a couple of cherry twigs that are filled with blossoms. These twigs are from tree upon the premises of Mr. V. D. Crandall in Cortland. They were cut off some three weeks ago and since that time have been in water in the house. It is an unusual sight for this season of the year.

   —We are under obligations to Adjutant L. P. Norton for a copy of the proceedings of the thirty-second anniversary and reunion of the Tenth New York Cavalry Veteran association held at Syracuse Oct. 17, 18 and 19, 1893. The pamphlet is a very tasty as well as interesting one and will be welcomed by all the "old boys" of the regiment. It bears the imprint of the Homer Republican job rooms, and does credit to them.

   —Deputy Sheriff James Edwards was on a still hunt nearly all day Saturday after John Pierce, who skipped a board bill of $15 at the Central hotel at Homer. The officer was rewarded for his efforts at about 10 o'clock P. M., when he found and arrested Pierce at a boarding house on East Court-st. He was taken to Homer this morning and his examination was adjourned till Thursday. Pierce is wanted in Oneida for a similar offence and also owed John Andrews a small board bill.

   —It is with great pleasure that we announce that Manager Rood has booked the celebrated Barnabee, Karl and MacDonald Robin Hood Opera company for the Cortland Opera House on Saturday evening, March 3. This is one of the finest companies on the road and it is unprecedented for it to play in so small a place as Cortland. There are sixty people in the troupe. They carry a [train] carload of scenery. The costumes are fine and the music is about the most attractive of any comic opera ever written.

  

No-License Meeting.

   The meeting held by the no-license adherents at the Opera House yesterday afternoon was one of the most enthusiastic gatherings that has been held in Cortland for a long time. The Opera House was packed to the doors. Dr. F. J. Cheney was elected chairman. Prayer was offered by Rev. J. L. Robertson. Stirring addresses were made by Rev. G. H. Bingham on "Why should no-license be voted this year;'' by Rev. W. H. Pound on "The licensing the sale of intoxicants is a sin against God and the commonwealth;" by Mr. H. M. Kellogg on "Has refusing licenses injured the business interests of Cortland;" by Rev. C. E. Hamilton on "The success of no-license;" by Dr. L. H. Pearce on "The saloon must go sooner or later;" by Rev. H. A. Cordo on "How can any moral or Christian man vote for license?"

   Great enthusiasm was displayed throughout the entire meeting. Every speaker was loudly applauded both as he took the floor and at the close of his speech. They were all frequently interrupted by storms of applause, which showed that public sentiment on this question was wide awake.