New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-10
THE NEW PRIMARY ELECTION Law

The friends OF honest elections throughout the
State would do well to bear In mind the provisions
of the bill passed by the last legislature which
provjdes for q wholesome reform or caucus ma
chinery That there was room for Improvement IN
the mana cement Of the average caucus WIN "e
generally admitted. The INSCRIPTIONS boss" mas
realized that to carry the primaries was III many
cases half Of the battle and in the absence OF
laws lecalizing the caucus he has found little TO
hinder him from accom- lishing his selfish ENDS
bv slv. disrcputable means. The law OF 1887
pretty efectually blocks the game OF the boss"
in this, his favorte field 1t prohibits the snap
primary, it secures fair play for all the organiza-
tions that may be running tickets, 1t makes ample
provision for an honest count OF legitimate VooeS'
In word, it places the primary election on the
same footing as the general election WIN whicn
it is so closely connected.
A good many voters in every community nave
been accustomed to absent themselves from the
caucuses Of their party. Their excuse has oeen'
when reproved for neglecting their political duties,
that caucus was merely an instrument for regis
terng the will Of boss" and that those attend
ing it not in harmony with the machine were
remorselessly sat upon. But so long rs the law III
question remains on the statute-book these denn-
oucnts cannot bring forward this plea Every
citizen can now attend the primary with the
assurance that his rights will be fully respected
and that the ways that are dark and tricks that
are vain which characterized the old-fashioned
caucus will not be, because they cannot be, re
peated. An inspector OF primary who deals
fragGulenty with a vote renders himself liable
to Imprisonment in the State Prison. The law
was recently put in operation in Syracuse at tha
primaries preceding the charter election and
worked, so it is reported, to the general salts
faction. The Utica charter election was also
held under it.
There is one feature OF this excellent measur"
which those who desire to see it enforced must
bear in mind. 1t is in a sense local option
law It's last section reads as follows:
But Notwithstanding anything herelnbefore con
tanned, the provisions azores aid In reference to voths
y ballot S The p S f hsaS
six the use of ballot at such primaries mar 81 t me
ing of returns required by section fifteen need not DO
observed unless the rules and regulations OF the or
lion bv ballot or unless twelve hours before such
primary is appointed to be held five qualified electors
secretary of the general committee Of the political
party, organization assoc aon in the city In which
man OF the district committee OF such district. notice
demand In writing signed by them stating that
at such primary, unless such primary meeting shall
Itself by a vote OF those present resolve TO observe
shall be strictly and fairly observed When such
notice or demand shall be thus served. It shall be
the duty OF the officer upon whom the Same is served
to Immediately deliver the same to tho presiding officer
or the inspectors other officer In charge or control
of such primary that the provisions Aforesaid can
be enforced
1t is manifestly important that this section
should not be lost sight Of II it is. the voters
may find the old order OF things still aourshing
at the primaries. II the law Is to be
enforced the FIRST step Is for FIVE electors in each
ward to make formal demand for its enforce
ment. This is the simplest course Of procedure
and will doubtless be generally adopted. The
law applies only TO the cities in which, as appears
by the last census of the United States, there was
a population of over ! O. 600 inhabitants.