New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-10
THE FFDFEdL ELECTION LAV.


If there was reason before, for the passage
of the Lodge Election bill, there is much more
reason now The veto by the Governor has
stopped ballot reform for another year in New
York Frauds of the most glazing kind are
disclosed in New jersey, and yet it seems prob
able that no measure of reform can be devised
upon which the Legislature and the Governor
can agree so protection OF the most sacred
rights of the people must be indefinitely de-
ierrcd, in these two important states, because
the party which profits by fraud does not dare
10 permit honest elections.
The Lodge bill is but an imperfect remedy.
II does not directly afford any additional pro-
lection whatever. except as to elections OF MEM
bers of Congress In all State elections Gov
ernor Hill and his friends and Governor ABB
hctt and his friends would still have the power
for fraud of which they are so anxious not TO
be deprived. and by which they have secured
and thus far maintained their control of state
governments. But the Federal Election bill
would nevertheless have an important infu-
cnce 1t would do something to protect honest
voters. though by no means what ought to be
done.
This bill would provide for faithful and
non partisan registration of all voters. through
officials of both parties, selected by ni'ed
states court No one really believes that a
registration thus made could he fIauducntly
distorted to serve the purposes Of either party.
The officials Of each would be ON guard against
any devices Of the other. Courts would finally
decide upon the right of any person to be regis
tered and to vote. in case Of dispute. The lists
III. ,,,,lI -b putpla prDof flp;
a great many names. upon which votes are now
cast, are not the names Of legally qualified
voters. Proofs thus obtained could be used
with great effect before State officers in purens
the lists or in cOntc>in- any election They
would create public opinion which the party
interested in continuing frauds would not long
dare to resist.
The method OF voting under the Federal
law would give substantial. if not complete.
protection against defeat Of the will Of the
people by bribery, coercion or intimidation.
The Australian or Massachusetts, system has
shown this merit wherever il has been tried
It does not prevent a voter from selling his
vote, if he can find anybody willing TO trust his
word absolutely as 10 the ballot he has cast
hut bribcrs have not often such confidence IN
persons who can be brihcd. The greater part
Of the bribery which now prevails in many
localities would he stopped and no fear OF
personal injury or loss Of employment could
deter a voter from expressing by his ballot his
honest conviction. The record thus obtained
of tho real wishes Of lc.al voters with respect
10 the opposing parties, would 20 far TO check
bribery or intimidation Oh large scale III
state elections. because in each precinct 1t
would fix public attention upon the wrongs
perpetratcd. and faStcn odium upon the party
actually guilty.
The Federal law provides an independent
non partisan ana presumably honest record
Of the votes actually cast. This would not
prevent stulling Of balor-boxcS or making Of
false returns at State elections. it is true but
again il would fastcn the odium Of such crimes
upon the party guilty Of them. In each pre-
cinct the number Of votes cast for members
Of Congress could be compared with the mum
Der cast for State officers on the same day,
and the number cast for each party at the
different elections could be compared. This
would give dclinitcncss and certainty 10 the
charges of fraud, wherever such charges have
foundation, and where they have not. but are
merely made by the SWindlcrs themselves on
the stop thief plan. would cfccually dis
prove them. The probable result would be,
first, TO render election frauds too costly for
either party. and second to compel the Demo
cratic party 10 acqucscc in protection OF the
rights Of honest voters.