The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-11-01
THE BALLOT REFORMERS.
4 WE'LL ATTENDED MEETING IN
THE TABERN1CLE.


good musical selection by the Tabernacle
band was also part of the programme.
The platform was draped with flags.
Among those on the platform were
Herbert Boggs, of Newark, author of the
Kane ballot reform bill, Louis F. Post,
William M. WINS, Horace c. Deming,
John De Witt Warner, chairman of the
Tariff Reform Club of New York, Candi-
dates Edward Mcdonald, William Stuhr,
and Michael Mullone, the Rev. Mr..
Scudder, j. r. Abarbanell H. c. Gruber,
j. f. Altemus. A. 2. Brown and Myron
A. Wolfson.
In the midst of the ladies and gentle
men who filled the church were observed
John ID. Carscallen, I. G. Brown, ex-
Coroner John G. Hughes, William Burns
and John Heye. 1t was what is commonly
spoken of as an unusually intelligent
audience" and it did not require the fire
works and red lights in front of the
building to attract the gray boards, their
wives and daughters there.
RADICALLY NoNPARTISAN.
The Rev. Mr.. Scudder opened the meet
ing after the band ceased playing, by say
ing that the movement for ballot reform
was the most beneficial of all reforms.
ne u6clareu Inc meeting 10 De a nom
partisan one, and said he saw in the audi
ence Democrats, Republicans, Prohibit
ionists and Mugwumps. They had all
assembled for the one purpose. Mr.. Scud-
der concluded his introduction by saying
he would ring down any speaker who re-
ferred to any party except that of ballot
reform.
Mr. Scudder declared that the present
system of voting was not the system of
by the people, of the people and for the
people" but that it was ..by the machine,
OF the machine and for the machine "
He wanted this changed, and assured his
hearers that it was frightful thing that
it should cost a County Clerk $4,000 to
be elected and that candidate for Mayor
had to put up $4,000. These figures GER
tainly were surprising.
LEON ABBETT'S LETTER.
Mr.. j. It. Altemus followed Mr..
Seudder and read number of letters,
among which were these:-
JERSEY Cry Oct 30, 1889
To the Hudson County Ballot efor7a association.
GEsTLEMEN:-In compliance with your request
that should write you a letter stating my exact
have always been in favor of such a revision of
the election laws as will prevent bribery and in
timidation at the polls, and will furnish to the
citizen absolute secrecy of voting.
There is an attempt on the part of some men,
who claim to be ballot refofmers, to turn the
movement into partisan one. have been mis-
represented, anu euOTUS nave De6n mHQo 10
place me in false position on this question.
This is not partisan question 1t is one in
which all good citizens irrespective of party are
interested.
repeat what said In previous letter to you,
that will do all in my power to have q genuine
ballot reform bill passed at the next session of
the Legislature, and it will be such a bill as all
parties can agree upon.
Your Association presented the following reso-
luton to the Hudson County Democratic Con-
vention, October 8, 1885,
Resolved, That this convention does hereby
instruct its candidate for Senator, If elected to
vote for and urge the passage by the coming
Legislature of a genuine ballot reform bill, en-
bracing the essential features of an absolutely
secret ballot; an official ticket printed and dis
tributed at the expense of the State, and the
right of nomination by petition"
That body adopted this resolution. This speaks
my sentiments and the sentiments of my party.
l shall honestly and faithfully abide by them If
elected Governor
am, very truly yours,
LEON ALBEIT.
f. BURD GRUBB.
EDGEwATER PARK, N. j., october 20, 1889.
j. 7. AltentitS, Secretary
DEAR SIR:-I have your letter of October 23d
inst. believe that ballot reform is the key to
good government in this State, and l will favor
1t and work for it whenever and wherever can.
The measure known as the Kane bill is wise and
well considered and will support it unresery-
edly and heartily. Very truly yours,
E. BURD GRUBB.
EDWARD F. M'DoNALD.
HARRISON, Hudson County
October 2l, 1880.
j. T. Altemus.
DEAR SIR-In accordance with the ieouest of
the committee Of the Ballot Reform Association
of Hudson County that shonld state my views
and intentions on the subject of ballot reform,
permit me to say that have not the slightest
hesitation in declaring myself in favor of the
enactment of any law or laws that will give
greater and more complete protection to every
citizen in the exercise of the sovereign right
of suffrage, in secresy and purity, un-
contaminated by any corrupting influence
in the shape of reward, bribe or intimidation.
Also for the true and correct counting and
honest return of the votes when cast am also
most strongly in favor of official ballots or
tickets printed and distributed at the public ex-
pense. without cost to either voter or candidate.
Also the right of nomination by petition of any
candidate when asked fos in writing by such
percentage or number of legal voters as may
ment Of all which ] shall cheerfully
give my voice and influence, and when
elected to the Senate, my vote as IN
honor and duty bound for the best interests of
the people and in keeping with the platform and
principles of my party, and the result, trust,
will be the passage of a law, acceptable to all
American in spirit, aim and object. Thanking
you and your committee for your kindness in
waiting upon me and offering me the opportun-
ity of clearly stating my views on this vital sub
ject, believe me to be, with great respect, your
humble servant, e. f. MCDONALD.
WILLIAM S. sTUHR.
HoBoKEN, N. j., Oct. 25, 1889.
j. r. .Altenials, ESP
DEAR SIR Yours of the 22d inst. received and
in response thereto would state that am ur-
qualifiedly in favor of ballot reform If elected
to the Senate shall do all in my power to secure
the passage of an act embracing the following
essential features:-Absolute secresy of voting,
official ballots TO be printed and distributed at
the public expense, and the right of nomination
by petition In connection herewith l also beg
leave TO call your attention to that point of the
platform of the convention which nominated me
referring 10 ballot reform, and with which am
in hearty accord, namely, that favorlng the Aus
tralian or some other equally effective system of
ballot reform. Respectfully yours,
WILLIAM S. SrUHR.
OTHER PLEDGES.
After furnishing these letters, Mr.. Cru
ber, from his minutes, read this:--
The following candidates for the Assembly
have pledged themselves to vote, il elected for
"a genuine ballot reform bill embracing the es-
sential features of absolute secrecy of voting
official ballots printed and distributed at public
expense, and the right Of nomination by petit
ton-
DISTRICT. DEMOCRATS. REPUBLICANS.
1..... Michael Mullone. George Blakey.
g.. Henry Byrnes.
3..... James Murphy. w. +. M'dlge.
4..... Vino. Heppenheimer. Calvin Peck.
John w. Aymar ]. Herbert Potts
6.-.... James S. Erwin.
Z. John F. Kelly.
S.s-.., John Kerr.
9..... Herman G. Kudlich
10. Thomas B. Usher. Rudolph Frech.
ADDRESSES.