New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-25
MR. HILL AND BALLOT REFORM.

IL is with profound SdoislaSuoh onaO uhe
friends of ballot reform have learned that tho
Australian secret-ballot system was successfully
tried at the late election in Massachusetts. All
tho witnesses Of that election testify that never
in late wears have voters cast their ballots so
freely unembarrassed by the appeals of poll
tc;ans or other interested persons. The bal
lot was n secret one; and thus the real verdict
Of the voter on the issues of the election and
the merit of candidates was obtained.
Furthermore, it was made clear to poor men
that their lack of money is no longer bar in
that State to accepting political nomination.
They know now that the State pays for the
ballots used on Election Day, and that If they
accent q nomination they will not be compelled
"a nav a large assessment to some political Or
ganization-levied by it ostensibly to pay for
printing ballots and to compensate royalty bal
Iot-pedlers and less reputable workers at the
polls. Nor is this all. 1t must nave been
delight to the Massachusetts, voter to find that
he could vote % the straight party ticket I'M
disturbed by the thought that perhaps nesting
among the bunch of ballots so kindly given him
there might be a ballot in favor of candidate
Of the other party. The official ballot gave
assurance at least that there was no swindling
of that kind.
VIII New-Yo follow the example Of Massa
chusetts in this publication Of elections? Let
David B. Hill and his party friends answer.
As Governor Of this State Mr.. Hill has twice
vetoed a balot-refOrm measure better framed
even than the Massachusetts, law But it is to
be boned that in view of the success of the law
in closely neghb oring State and the great
in Gfatn
he and Democratic lawmakers will now with
draw their opposition. AS will be seen from
letter printed elsewhere in THE TRIBUNE, the
Governor will be given an opportunity once
more to sign the wel-known SaxtOn Ballot
Reform bill The Governor must have per-
ceved while reading the newspaper reports Of
the successful operation OF the Massachusetts
Ballot Reform law that most Of the fears that
he expressed in his veto messages on Mr.. Sax
tons bill were baseess.
But Mr. Hill is now throwing out hints that
he may possibly be willing to make compro-
mise. What kind of a compromise? As Mr..
Saxton points out, there can be no compromise
with Mr.. Hill on the question of an official bal
lot. No unofficial ballot will be granted by
the true friends of ballot reform. If Mr. Hill
lnSlSlS upon UndJ VI INC l<lHSOH DIlIi uc
virtually insists upon the continuance of the
present cOrrupting election system. As for his
suggestion that general registration law be
grated upon the Ballot Reform bill, it may
be remarked that it comes from questionable
quarter We agree with Mr.. Saxton that while
the registration law of New ork and Brook
lyn, requiring the annual registration of every
voter, should be extended to all the other cities
Of the State, it is unnecessary that the farmers
Of the State should also be compelled to register
their names annually at the crossroads store
where they vote. Mr. SaXton is also right in
declaring that two such measures as ballot re-
form and registration should be kept distinct
Let the Ballot Reform and the City Registra-
ton acts be passed but as separate measures
Mr. Hills suggestion that they be consolidated
excites suspicion that he hopes for the defeat
Of both. 1t cannot be said with certainty now
that the members of the Legislature who favor
ballot reform also favor the extension of the
Registration Act-there has been no test on the
latter. We hope that both will pass the LegS-
lature, for they both tend to purify elections,
but they will have better chance Of doing so if
they are kept separate. Mr.. Hill should be
given the opportunity of signing both.