New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-25
FOR AN HONEST VOTE.
A TALK WITH MR. sAxToN ABOUT BALLOT
REFORM.

BkIHOT-IMPHOVBD bH"o
LESSONS FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
frnoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUSEt
Clyde, N. Y, Nov. 22.-senator-elect Charles 7.
saxon the author OF ths noted Saxton Ballot Reform
bi which has engaged the attention Of the Legislature
for several years past. vs in this village upon the
line OF tho New-YOrk Central Railroad, between
Syracuse and Rochester Saxton has largo pracuce
as lawyer; practice which he has not permitted TO
langulsh, although busy member Of the Legislature
during It's last thr,e sessions. AS chairman OF the
judiciary Committee Of the Assembly, he has bad moro
than the ordinary amount OF legslat ve work 10 90
at Albany and yet he has contrlved TO gain time for
thorough study OF tho Australian secret ballot system,
now so much favored by those desiring to purify enc
tons. and to frame series Of bills ENGRAVING that
system upon that of this state. But for 0oVrhor
HIPS successive vetoes of those reform measures they
would now be laws OF this State.
Mr. saxton lives I'm dwelling little aside from tho
business streets of this village 1t is peasantook-
ing homo outwardy and inwardly. visitor per
ceyes at once that Mr. SaxtOn is reader. BOOKS
and reviews cover the table in the room In whch me
family usually seated evenings; ana III inc horar,
there Is a fine and large collection OF modern ="
works. Scarcely a historical work OF importance III
the English language that has been prnlei or eprro
in the last twenty years is missing. Here IN ms
library Mr. saxton was found this evening by cor
respondent of The Tribune, and inquiry was MADE Oh
him in regard TO his preparation 10 again Introduce
his ballot reform bill.
al read with great care he said in reply to TINS
inquiry. " the articles which have appeared III 'lHe
Boston Herald describing the operation of the secret
ballot law in Massachusetts, at the recent eecoh' anu
was much pleased by the nature Of those reports
think they show that the new Ia"
worked with surprising smoorhness. Every Dalot
reformer expected some jarrng under the ne" system
that It might confuse voters. that there might ne
a breakdown Of the new system at some point But ap
paIen'ly It worked we'll in every part of Massachuseus
What especially pleasing was that In Boston, for
instance It gave the voter absolute secrecy in select
lng his candidates and then in voting for them. APP
parently there were no crowds about the polls ana
certainly ward beeler could accompany vo'er
right up to the polling place and see If he voted The
ballot which had been given him outside. READ the
reports Of the Massachusetts election with especial
core because desrd to incorporate In my Dill any
new features of their election law which might In
crease the value Of such a law in this state. Then
again wished IL there any defects In their
law which might render It wise for us to modify our
proposed act.
as there widespread interest in this subject, do
you think, Mr.. SaxtOn!7
Yes, very widespread l receive letters by the
score from other State, in regard to it, and large
number Of letters from people in this state. ! am
glad to see also, that Of large influence are IN
crcsting themselves in the matter For instance,
have received a letter from ex-senator Thomas e
Plat, expressing himself heartily in favor Of my
bill, and suggesting that prepsrc 1t Immediately
and Introduce the first day OF the session of the
Legislature in January in order that the senate and
the Assembly may consider it and pass IT early
I'm the year | intend TO have it ready,
possible. a fortnight before the session of the Legs
ature begins and send copies Of It to the various
reform clubs and to the newspapers. Senator Lnson,
Democrat Of Kingston, also intends to Introduce
his Ballot Reform bill the first day of the session
ol,t ,dapep ~ cuch uoa
Democrats clearly beginning TO think that they
had better pay attention to the ballot reform move
ment. one OF my letters comes from DAVID dudley
Field who wishes for an early copy OF my Dill. MI
Field saws that he wishes 10 examine the Dill ana
study its constitutOnalily. Perhaps Governor hiH
has melted Nj Field TO that study. The governor
himself has never put forward the constitutional ar
g,ment seriously against my bill He has expressed
doubts about the consiutonaty OF putting the names
OF all tho candidates upon one piece OF paper ana
calling that ballot but It seems to me that such
an objection has force. The intention Of the law
IS to learn the choice Of the voter for such and such
officers and II is immateral whether all the names are
unon one ballot or upon separate ballots. When
voter shall put mark opposite the name OF the Demo
cratic candidate for Governor, for instance II docs
not matter II the name of the Republican cuiuua'0
for Governor is upon the same ballo-the marx SHOWS
that he votes for the Democrat and ue name OF inc
Republican doesn't count
Are you willing TO make a compromise WIN o''-
ernor Hill on this subject!'
THAT depends upon what the compromise ls'' sau
Mr. saxton. Continuing, he said: IL the uo'crhoi
insists upon sacrificing the exclusively oIoai
ballot we can make no compromise with NM lhaV
il the crucial point of the reform That Is 'he ioa
b which we secure secret ballot II we are 10 sur
render that we might we'll surrender the entire Dill
ballot reform bill without that feature would De
ebar, The Governor has expressed his pleasure over
tho connecticut ballot reform law. Ihat IS shani,
and do wonder that mere are hppd ba aS dis
and propositions TO repeal III W ConnectcIt are II
satisfied with it the people OF Cos 70 tro
we should adopt it, Think OF u , TU"r and and one
Hnmocpat and gets his ballots from them is thav
secret ballot Does not the party leader A"o" '"''
now r ,me' GnTeor, friends intimate that he may be
willing to IF the Republicans passing general
rcgstratlon law What do you think Oh 'n"' p'Opo-
s'on should be strongly in favor Of extending me
animal registration law 10 all me Sts' VI Rookyn
Now is only me NoteTS III resep their names in
the other cities the names arc trahsic 49, That is
polling list of one year TO Una a ,o oil be names Of dead
mon or of men who have moved away rom ,L u dor
Lms 70 rrneatlng and to voting upon the names VI
the dead men or the absenees. fNeil wv. % the
year III - tIS ccisraon and to show his face But thar
tStcment is not true OF the towns Oh inc o,ae, p
s,ancs in CLYDE but found that 1t was unneces
sary There isn't resident OF tns Ta.raso and no
can come to the polls and wore without chs
engGG, ont voting Besides, il plainly would be I'M
neccssary and a hardship To require the iarner
mIe,hcr' n Democrat or Republican, 10 come to town
mreen or fifteen miles to register and then 10 repeat
that lO d yon b. Wiling TO incorporate registration
act I'm your bill " $50. ,.,o,,,oo a rcc :, ration act
rd would plsh such act In company WIN oalos
anu s m" I'm hut should fear If the two biils were
nnd tbat II would he more dihcult 70 pass thenl'
Foods of one might not BE- friends OF 1 1ne VuiIr.
tr.eluo rho two subjects distinct. The ballot
r3rn hin deals with the method OF No ng me regis
REFORM o t titb the qualifications OF voters. You can
ua,Io q" omnibus bill where IFS subjects are kindred,
b%t where they not you have dlheul: you
uhl'e a. of passing both. Governor Hill, IN
mT opinion when he suggests .n tna the Two
neesi r." their passage. II the united measure wcre
NhhL ArLc- W IL 70