New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-26
ARISES OF THE BALLOT.
FEARING BEFORE THU GOVERNOR ON THE
ELECTORAL REFORM BILL.
STRONG SUPPORT FROM MR. sAxTeN' HENRY
GEORGE AND Dr.. MGLYSN-eEoRoE H. foRSih"
OPPOSED TO THE PLAINTIFF COVER
NOR ASKS MANY QUESTIONS.

sr,oxo srrPonT FROM MR. sAAIeN' hhN"i
cropcr AID DE- MeLYSN-GEoRGE II. FORSTER
OPPOSED TO THE PLAINTIFF COVER
NOR ASKS MANY QUESTIONS
TIT TEL roRarn TO TIE rRiBuSsl
.,,o,, Nav 25,-The Executive Chamber was
IN oorrt to-day. with Judge David b.
nm ON the bench and with numerous lawyers
boforc him making arguments Inc chei case
WAC that of The People against Inc ballo-noA
stuger. The document upon which 1t was arsueu
Vas the Electoral Reform bill oil Assemolymen
Soxton and Incorporating that the state shai
nrint all ballots used at elections ana that ihe
voting shall be done in secret. Assembly man
saxton was present to make an argument ior tne
hill. having as his associates Henry ueorsc' III,
Ea,,.ra McGlynn. John MeAlacldn, Michael
Clarke, Tucker A. Malone, ana fe'er IL ua'cn''
all Of New-YorS, and officers of the United LABOR
nortv or Of the Anti-Poverty Society. There APP
noared TO oppose the bill George ii. Forster, Pres
;dent of the Board Of Aldermen of New York, and
~ q r Grain. both members of the Iammany
Hall political organization
Mr.. Crain who was the first speaker, sald
that they would submit that the bill should not
receive the Governors signature. The motives
Of its friends were good but it would entail evils
nc great as those it was intended to prevent
II was defective in principle, and would DC
inefficient as q law. 1t had the curious feature
~ comnellino the existence Of political parties,
and placed independent organizations at great
disadvantage. freshly started political party
would not have cast vote at a previous election
which would give election officers authority , 10
print ballots for it, 1t was true that there was
admitted P5GpviS tHem II e tha as obtained iSo
signatures to a petition Tor the Ono,s puD sls
was an obstacle. Then again the bill made secrecy
of voting compulsory upon voter Ihere was no
provision in tho bill for the SUBSTITUTION OF the
name Of candidate who should ole WITHIN Hleell
be so unfortunate as to lose its candidate by death
would have no chance to substitute anotner az
present most frauds were committed OUTSIDE Oh tne
polling places Under the Dill they wonId DC con- con
Y United in the polling place There was iudl-
crous provision that man who should accIdeht-
ally spoil his ballot should not be given another
until he had satisfied the ballot clerks that his
destruction of the ballot had been accidental.
Suppose thc ballot clerks should not give him
another ballot? p said Mr.. Grain. ,r,
And suppose" interrupted Governor I'LL,
" there should be division among the ballot
clerks? P"
Assemblyman Saxton then followed lie said
in part
Governor do not think there is any man who has been
watching the voting a. the polls the past few years ana
has witnessed the bribery corruption and the cheating
there who does not favor this bill The number OF pur
chasabe votes ncreasng 1t Is so IN my district and
think it is so all the State. The penalties are
very severe now. You may pile penalty upon penalty,
and you will thus prevent bribery Row what Is the
essential feature OF this bill 1t is that the ballots shall
be printed by the State and further that certain names
shall be PVT upon them Mr.. Grain says ttat new parties
are not recognized But thousand votors can file
petition and have the of their boilos printed
Governor Hi-what do you say about Mr.. Grains OBJ
lection that candidate may diol
Mr. saxton-I recognize the validity Of that objection
but think 1t Is fatal one. 1t is remote con-
unconcy. this defect be remedicd by the next
Legislature you shall sign this bill We think II better
for the ballots be In the possession OF officers OF the
state rather than that Of heclers' at the polls.
TAMMANY DOESN'T TAKE KINDLY TO TIE
SCHEME.
George H. Forster replied to Mr.. SaXton, saying
very large proportion Of the voters OF New.York
City come the polls with their ballots in their waist
coat pockets They not buldozed corrupted al
the polls the custom Of the political organizations
In NewYork scnd ballots by mali to every registered
voter The inspector and the ballot clerks can mark
every ballot received with the initials OF the voter and
know how each votes Then charge that this Is a
partisan BILL intended suppress the vote OF the Demo-
cratic party IN the cities. In all the counties OF the
State the ballots are be In charge Of the Republican
county clerks; in New-Yofk, OF John ]. oBrlen, the
| Republican chief OF the Bureau Of Elections. What
is prevent Mr.. o'Brien dropping the names OF the
Democratic candidates FOR Mayor and Governor from the
ballotsl What would be his punishment lie would
simply be guilty Of q misdemeaDor. You make very
expensive system FOR NewYork 1t would increase the
number Of inspectors from 1925 to 1926. Why did not
| Mr.. saxton try this experiment in Wayne Countyi
| Governor HILL should have had to veto IL on the
| ground that It not uniform legislation.
EVEN "LAND REFORM is MINOR MATTER
Henry George, the next speaker, said:
| 1t seems 10 me that this would be the greatest OF
reforms
Governor Hill-Greater than land reformI
| Mr. George-Yes, greater than land reform The
I,fl.r Hnad m NfNV. Xnry
costs much in most cass for man % get an office
as will receive 1t. MI Forster says that ballots
around to the houses of voters Yes they are
distributed by the mlon-but at great expense. Then
there the workers and distributors Of ballots about
the polls, and this imposes very great expense upon
poor 1t drives thousands OF poor out OF the
field as political candidates 1t to this that only
o rich corrupt man run for office. Th;
system has been great success in Great Britain II
IL had been for its existence the Irish tenant farmers
would have been able TO support Home Rule candl
dates Parliament they have done But the secrecy
OF the ballot permitted Thorn express their real poiucS
sentiments.
THE POOR MANS CHANCE WITH THE BALLOT
DR.. McCaynn said:
Permit me to say that the non partisan character
this bill is shown by the fact that 1t is supported by tn
United Labor party, who had member OF the LegIs
laure which passed this bill. We pride ourselves upo
being a poor mans party. Mr.. Forster is stranec
astray in regarding the purity OF election
in cities is notorious that in greater cities
where political prizes the valuable, corruption
at the polls IL the greatest There you have a larg
number Of poor men, who for a rhing sum are bride
TO vote certain tickets II is also extremely
that we should pass such bill to allay the fautnndin
of tho Socialists They saying that 1T is Us
going to the polls because rich men and politicians con
troll the elections There Will be dangerous exploso
some day. it seems unless these men convince
that elections fair and honest and that poor me
have the same chance the rich at the ballot box.
Governor Iill-It looks to me II the bill woul
compel the citizens Of Brooklyn to pay for the expens
Of printing the ballots OF municipal offers in Albany
Is that JUST
Mr. Saxton-I presume a good mary objections can D
made 10 tho BILL but do not think they are fatal.
Governor Il-Suppose there should be bolt !
an Assembly district less than fifteen days bcfoi
the election. Is there any way for tho boers to g
ballotsf