New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-18
BALLoT Reform MEASURES At TRENTON
THE ORIGINAL BILL READY FOR FINAL CON-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE SEN
,o,,
ATE SUBSTITUTE.

ATE SUBSTITUTE.
Trenton, NJ j., March II 6peciaD-The Ballot
Reform bl Is good shape for final consideration, and
II It Is pressed to early passage by its advocates II
VIII become law 1t Is clear that the Democratic
leaders, who are in minority Of the whole House,
VIII do all IN their power TO defeat 1t, II they can
effect this without lncurring tho obloquy Of such
action. Tho bill has been somewhat changed since
TIA introduction. The amendments agreed upon at
conference OF friends OF the measure with Governor
Green have been adopted, with one or two others
Instead Of the eleotou officers marking each ballot
with the initials Of their names, It has been provided
that stamp shall DO used tho object being to pro
vent the officers from dcvsing q private mark by
which ballots could DO Identified. Il also agreed
that eectrotype copies of the ballots, tinted paper,
might DO procured, In order that voters might be
Informed as to the procedure.
final amendment, suggested by Governor Greon,
but not approved by tho chief advocates Of the
measure, provided that e,ch candidate should bear
q part OF the expense of printing the ballots, by do
posting with the county clerk a sum Of money at
tho rate OF cent per name for each fifty ballots
eentaining such name. This would amount to about
gao for each candidate in the largest county In the
State "The only object Of this amendment, so far
sec," said Herbert Boggs. who drafted the
bill, as to discourage tho Independent candidate
Tho bill win be engrossed at once and printed mean
while Tho engrossing clerks room has become no.
torlous this session as plsce where bills delayed
in q mysterious manner and friends Of the Ballot
Reform measure express some anxiety in reference
TO IL in this direction. Should the delay prove
reasonable however there viii DO general raid, and
II is stated that facts DO obtained that would
mako an investigation far from pleasant to the
sponsIble officials
Meanwhile a bill embracing the features Of the
House measure has been introduced In the senate by
President werts and It is reported that II tho Demo-
cratic managers find # impossible TO sde-track the
Reform movement, the Senate measure will be made
= Democratic measure and rushed through
both houses with brass band accompaniments The
measure as now shaped for final passage, is far
from radical but II viii undoubtedly be productive
OF much good In preventing fraud, intimidation and
the purchase Of votes. Candidates 10 be nomi
mated as at present, and certificate Of the uomL
nation is 20 DO dLly filed with tho county clerk. II
al independent nomination Is mado, the name Of The
nominee Il TO DO placed npon tho ballot II hvo per
cont Of the voters formally demand t. Tho ballots
arc to contain 'the names OF tho parties
to be printed by tho County Clerks In form pro
scribod by the act In clear type; while separate
cards 10 be printed Instructions to voters. The
voter dcsgnaeS candidates for whom his ballot IS TO
DO counted by making Cross opposite the nans Of
The candidate.
,The Common Pleas Judge Is to examine the bal
lots after they arc printed to ASCERTAIN II they
correct The night before the election the County
Clerk Is 20 deliver tho ballots to the cecon officers
Details are carefully provided so that there shall be
an abundance Of ballots yet that none shall DO de-
Iiverod 30 persons not authorized TO have them. The
voting compartment Is TO have separate booths, in
which the voter may prepare his ballot after receiv
ing from the election officer without being seen By
any person and from this booth tho voter proceeds,
inside railing directly to the polls with his ballot
folded and hands the ballot 10 the judge, who stamps
and deposits Il. Absolute secrecy Is secured. As
there arc no ballots except those prepared by the
County Clerk and placed In the possession OF tho
election officer who hands but one TO the voter.
forgery Is made difficult and as the number OF bal
lots used must tally precisely with the number OF vot
ers rrcoried tho chances Of sulng7 become remote
There Is provision for voters who ncspacitated
from marking their own ballots, well as for bal
lois that may be spoiled in marking No persons
excepting the regular officers and tho voters who arc
preparing their ballots arc permitted In the voting
eornpartTnenL excepting two ehallengnrs Sewers
punishment Is provided for any violation of the act or
an attempt TO Initiate ballots. etc schedules and In
structOhs are appended 10 the act The act has been
carefully examined by many persons hmliar with
the routine Of the polls and every difficulty that has
been suggested been provided for as far as may b.