The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-06-05
BALLOT REFORM COMEDY
Probably the Same Old
Gang Will Work the
Brand New Law.

There is much SPECULATION among citi-
zens and politicians alike over the nomi-
nations which the chairmen of the State
and County Committees will make under
the new ballot reform bill which became
law last Wednesday. AS was stated in
The SUNDAY MORNING NEWS some time
ago, the new law provides that no sooner
than thirty or more than sixty days after
the approval of the act, the Governor
shall appoint in each county a County
Board of Registration, which shall con-
sist of four members, two from each
political party. 1t is also provided that
within thirty days after the approval of
the act, the chairmen of the State Com
mittees shall nominate two members of
their respective parties in each county, to
be appointed members of such boards of
registration.
The thirty days within which the chair
men of the State Committees can act will
expire on June q, and already those gen
tlemen are giving the matter their atten-
tion. Allan L. McDermott, chairman of
the Democratic State Committee, said
last evening that his list would be ready
for presentation to the Governor either
the latter part of next week or the early
part OF the week following. Mr.. McDer-
mott has been overwhelmed with applica-
tions from individuals who are exceed
ingly anxious to take upon themselves
the duties of the office, Notwithstanding
the fact that the law provides that they
shall serve without compensation. But
he is desirous of appointing only the best
men who will serve, and for that reason
he is moving slowly. He is making care
ful enquiries among the prominent Dem
ocrats of the respective counties concern
inD fha qualifications and fitnaec nf the
various applicants for the position, and it
may be taken for granted that when he
submits his list to the Governor it will
contain only the names of those who will
faithfully and impartially carry out the
provisions of the law.
GOOD REPUBLICANS WANTED.
Garrett A. Hobart, the chairman of the
Republican State Committee, is said to
be sOlicitous that the men nominated by
him shall be the peers of the Democratic
members, and there are many who be-
lieve that the non-partisan registration
boards be marvel of political rectitude
The law further provides that within
| forty, but not sooner than thirty days
| after the organization of the county
boards of registration, they shall, upon
| the nomination of the chairmen of the
county committees of the two parties,
appoint four persons in each voting pre-
cinct as a board of registry and election.
IL ID uUOu bu0 dCtlOu VI 0AClll OdtlD,
chairman of the Democratic County
Committee, and ex-Mayor Gilbert Col
Inns. president OF the Republican County
Committee, that the most interest is CEN
tered. Both of these gentlemen declare
that they have done nothing yet. The
Sheriff is waiting for certified copies of
the law SO that he can ascertain beyond a
doubt just what his duties are, and Mr..
Collins says he is waiting until the
County Beard orGaniZes
These gentlemen will nominally have
the appointment of all the election off
GERS, and ii left to themselves there is no
doubt that their appointees will be men
who could be relied upon to accomplish
what the law seeks to bring about, GEM
uine ballot reform.
FEARS FOR THE RESULT.
But it Is feared In some quarters that
influences which neither can resist, will
be brought to bear upon them to nomi-
nate people who will not be any improve
ment upon those who have brought so
much reproach and ignomy upon Jersey
City.
A state official in Democratic circles,
who was at Taylor's hotel yesterday, in
speaking of the matter said "Notwith-
standing the elaborate provisions of the
ballot reform law for non-partisan election
boards, the fact that those officers are
practically appointed by those who are
now bossinR the parties, to my mind
promises little, if any, relief from the
evils which now exist. There is nothing
that can see to prevent the appoint
ments, provided that they are out of jail,
of the same election officers who We're
responsible for the disgracefui frauds of
last fall, which afforded Senators Gard
ner ana Roe protest to steal Senator
McDonald's seat.
" If these same men are appointed un-
der the new law, what is there to prevent
a repetition of those outrages, for after
all the efficacy Of the new law depends
upon the integrity of the election officers.