Tuesday, May 27, 2003

How would you like to vote in front of a drunken mob? "Election day, April 24 1799 had a festive air about it. There were no written or printed ballots at that time in Virginia, and the voter merely announced his choice to the election judges seated behind a long table placed on the courthouse green. Suffrage was limited to male freeholders, twenty-one years or older and it was customary for the candidates to sit alongside the judges, where they acted as scrutineers. When a voter annunced his choice, the candidate for whom he voted rose, shook the voter's hand, and thanked him for his support. All of this took place before a partisan crowd that grew in size as the day wore on. Each party provided a barrel of whiskey, and voters often tested both barrels before making their choice. The liquor warmed the spirits of the crowd, who greeted each vote with the appropirate cheers and catcalls. " (from John Marshall, Definer of a Nation) 6:40:36 PM    comment []

My cousin Selene is off on another research expedition on the "Atlantis" research vessel. You can follow a log of their journey here: http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/ and find out how the weather is, what they are eating for breakfast, and what research they are doing. There is even a photo log, and I believe I can see Selene in picture #7 3:27:27 PM    comment []