New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-21
pURTTY OF ELECTIONS.

II is a sign of great promise that in many
States at once there is movement TO secure
greater purity Of elections. Measures resem-
bling the saxton bill in general principles have
been proposed in several States in some by one
uartv and in some by the other. The pro-
yoking cause is sometimes complaint of fraud
by Republicans and sometimes by Democrats
but the best public opinion in both parueS
everywhere favors the establishment OF better
defences against bribery and crime Every
where those politicians are regarded with sus-
picion who strive to prevent wholesome legs
lation on pretexts such as those to which Gov
ernor Hill resorts. 1t is everywhere perceived
that the old methods are crude and defective
that they actually fail to protect the secrecy
or the purity of the ballot, and that good cltl-
Gems must be ready to sacrifice something oil
convenience or preference in order to secure
for each state and for the country more trust
worthy expressions of the popular will.
The end to be attained being so desirable,
there is no occasion to consider whether or not
the complaints made in this or that case are
well founded No one attempts to deny that
there is great need of improvement in election
methods, and that is enough. Whether TINS
or that party will gain most or lose most by
change ought to be held question Of inslg-
nifcant Importance; a party has no business
TO exist that cannot sustain itself with an hon
est, free and fair ballot
Objections to proposed methods on the score
of inconvenience or hardship to small MINOR
ity of voters, even when they are most hon
estly urged, ought to be considered with refer
ence to the vital fact that to any citizen the
value of the franchise depends on this, that 1T
tends to insure good government. Some per-
sons are now excluded from voting because
they have not resided the required time in
State or town. But though these provisions
were at first criticised, the people have come
to realize that it is better for a few to lose
their votes than for all to lose purity OF cleo
tons, and in consequence to lose good govern
ment. A little experience under any other pro-
visions of law that may be found necessary VIII
cause them 10 be equally appreciated, and with
equal heartiness accepted. In order to
have ballot worth anything in the hands OF
anybody, IL must be confined to those who have
the right to vote, who can establish that night
according to legal tests, and who can exercise
it in manner prescribed by law.
Objections on the score Of expense to the
State are frivolous, il the methods proposed will
lessen the cost Of elections on the whole The
enormous sums now expended by political par
ties are as much part Of the expense OF cleo
tions under present methods, and come as
truly from the pockets Of the people, as if every
dollar were drawn from the public Treasury
The waste and loss are not less because indi-
yiduals bear them. On the contrary, the loss
is many times greater if those who contribute
expect and plan TO get back many times as
much through corrupt legislation or miscon-
duct in office. If by any methods il is pos
sible to substitute a small expenditure by the
State exclusively for the public good, instead
of large expenditure by each Of two or more
parties, exclusively for the good Of parties or
individuals, the gain in economy will be great
and yet not the only or the greatest gain.
This movement toward more honest elet-
tons should be encouraged and helped for
ward in all the States, wherever any real i'm
provement is proposed. 1t will not be found
practicable TO attain the same degree OF ELI
cheney for laws against corruption in ali the
States. The very methods which work best in
one may work i'll or not at all in others, the
state Of public opinion being different. But
hearty concurrence Of all good citizens can ac-
complish much this year, and by breaking
through old abuses can clear the way every
where for still further progress.