New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-14
TIE sAxrOy BILL VETOED.

THE SAXTON BILL VETOED.
Once more Governor Hill has demonstrated
his contempt for the reform sentiment OF the
State and his subserviency TO the worst ele-
ments in his own party. He has killed the
Saxton Ballot bill. There was no politics IN
this measure. It's provisions bore equally upon
all political parties. Its sole object was 10 I'M
prove the machinery OF elections, to STOP Or at
all events, sensibly to check, bribery ana cor
ruption, and, by coming between candidates
and the bosses who plumber them by means OF
the assessment leyies, to render it possible Tor
a poor man to run for office. This, in briet, IS
the bill which the Governor in defiance OF
public opinion has vetoed. It is within
bounds to assert that no measure of recent
wears has met with such hearty approval from
the great mass of reputable citizens, indie
pendent of party lines. The indignation at his
action will be deep and widespread-and yet
what better was to have been expected of q
peanut politician and tool of the saloons?
The objections which the Governor urges
against the bill are frivolOus-little more than
lame apologies for Sinking his duty. The one
which he first considers, and upon which he lays
greatest stress is directed at the section which
provides that only official ballots shall be voted.
But whoever has studied the history of ballot
reform legislation is aware that the exclusive
official ballot is conceded to be Of the very
essence of the reform. The Ballot Reform laws
of Massachusetts,, Indiana, Rhode Island, WIS
consin, Tennessee and Missouri all provide for
it. II is fundamental principle OF the election
systems of Great Britain, Canada, Australia and
New-Zealand 1t has been thoroughly tested
and has been found to conserve the purity OF
elections and to protect candidates from co.
tortons. Leading Democratic journals in this
State-notably "The World' of this city and
"The Buffalo Courier''-have approved OF 1t.
Nevertheless, the Governor will have none Of
it, and in the face Of its widespread adoption
in this country and in other lands, and of the
weighty mass of sentiment enlisted in its be-
half all over this State, he has the dishonesty
to assert that the cry for an official ballot
has proceeded mostly from doctrinairs"
The points which the Governor attempts 70
make against the official ballot are hardly
worth considering. He is afraid that it might
happen that the supply of ballots would give
out But the SaxtOn bill expressly provides
that in such a contingency fac-simile unofficial
ballots may be used, thus elfectually disposing
of that objection. Again, the Governor COM
plains that the bill does not provide when tho
county clerks shall distribute Che ballots" But
if for any reason they do not distribute them
on time, the fac-simile ballots can be drawn
upon The Governor further argues that an
exclusive official ballot would not promote the
secrecy of the ballot or render it more difficult
d. tla o4o No kpoIy Nxhnthar his
has voted rs he was bought. The conclusive
answer is that the countries and States thai
have tried the exclusive official ballot have
found that it effectually accomplisheS these very
things The Governors other ostensible Tea-
son for vetoing the bill is because of its re-
quirement that each ticket shall contain the
names of all the candidates of all the parties
who choose to certify that they have made
nominations. What he has to offer on this
point is not calculated TO impress thoughtful
men. II is labored. II does not suggest the
Chief Executive. II does smack OF petit
logger handicapped with desperate case.
The veto ends, as might have been expected
with labored eulogy upon the sham Ballot
Reform bill which served the Democrats Of the
Legislature as an excuse for not supporting the
Saxton bill. The Governor is enamored Of the
Lnson bill, and although perfectly well aware
that IL was not introduced in good faith, but
merely as a stumbling block in the path Of re-
form, he earnestly recommends its passage. Tho
Linson bill fails 10 provide for an exclusive
official ballot. In other words it is Ballot
Reform bill which does not reform. which
leaves the door open to bribery and corruption,
which continues the assessment evil, which
places the candidates at the mercy Of the bosses.
Is it any wonder that such Governor as David
b. Hill has shown himself to be favors it rather
than a genuine measure like the SaXton bill?