The Rhine's Vote Recorder

The Rhine's Vote Recorder and Counter was exhibited in Firemen's hall on Saturday laBt, to about 250 of Ann Arbor's citizeng, by ex-Representative öeo. W. Walthew, of Detroit. Most of the people who saw it are enthusiastic about its possibilities, and even some of the most dyed-inthe wool conservativos approve it. The Register has yet to learn of one citizen of Ann Arbor who condemns the machine. M. E. Cooley, professor of mechanical engineering in the University, examined the mechanism of the vote recorder, and says that it w ill do the work all right with as little danger of gettiog out of repair as well-made clocks. The machine exhibited by Mr. Walthew is the second one that was made, and is small, having only six buttons. The machine can have any number of buttons, and it is expected to make thern with about 60 each. Thua three machines would probably answer for any voting precinct in Michigan in a presidential election. The buttons are arranged in rows, pendicularly as regards the party, and horizontally as regards the office. Eaoh party, accordmg to the bill now before the legislature, will have a color for itg particular row of buttons, as blue for Republican, red for Democrat, etc. Thus the illiterate yoter who is not color blind can at least vote his straight party ticket without assÍ8tance. If the man who cannot read or write desires to vote a mixed ticket, the bilí provideB for a printed diagram that shall correspond with the buttons. The voter can take this diagram to a friend and have such Dames cut out as he desires to vote for. By placing the diagram over the buttons, he can press on them through the holes, and thus record his wishes with absolute accuracy. For intelligent voters, of course there would be no difficulty. The machines are to be placed in wire apartments. When the voter roises the cover a bell sounds, and a counting machine records the fact that one more voter has entered the apartment. The voter then pressea the buttons of his choice, which remain lowered. When the cover is put down, the buttons spring back to their former position. Bepeating is impossible, because the raising of the cover again would ring the bell and would be recorded by the counter. When the last vote is polled, the machine has faithfully recorded and counted every vote, and it only remains for the inspectora to announce the randt The bill providing for the adoption of the Rhine's ballot system and vote recording machina specifies how any candidate can put his name on the machine. If he is a candidate for a state office, he senda his name to the secretary of state, with a fee of $50, at least 30 days before the day of election. If he is a candidate for a county office, he sends his name to the county clerk, with a fee of $30, at least 30 days before the day of election. If he is a candidate for a city, ward, township, or village office, he sends his name to the city, township, or village clerk, at least eight days betore election, the city office quinng s fee of $20, the ward and township offices $10, and the vill ige office $5. Mr. Walthew is really hopeful ot getting the bill paesed by this legislature. He is receiving the support of the leading newspapers of the state without distinction as to party. The newepapers show mueh disinterestedness in thus advocating a chatige which will destroy considerable of their patronage in the way of printing ballots and election slips.