New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-23
PrBLIC DUTY ABOUT THE BALLOT

PTBLIC DUTY ABOtT 1HE bhLLUI'
All know that there would he fewer diiier
enccs regarding public questions If men on poth
sides would do their duty to the country iIrSt
and consider their individual and partisan IN
tcrcst aftcrvard. Many honest differences OF
opinion there arc which set men IN opposition
with the most sincere patriotism OF purpose OH
both sides. But can any one conceive that thiS
is true in regard to ballot reform, as the ISSUE
is now presented i'll NcwYork?
Certain bills have now been passed by the
Legislature. and have gone TO the Governor
Some of his own parti>ans have supported these
bills as Republican members have, behevlng
them necessary TO the public welfare. Is 1t
conceivable that, on purely patriotic grounds
the Governor of the state can again arrest 4
reform so greatly needed. because he does not
agree with members Of the Legislature OF both
nartics in regard to the wisdom OF single pro
vision? Would not purely honest ana patrl-
Otto Governor find himself compelled 10 say
1.-THE exceeding importance of these measures
70 the public welfare and public morals con-
strains me to withhold disapproya which
touches only subordinate feature and when
must postpone any reform another wear
The excuses which can be offered are oil
course familiar. The Governor processes 10
believe that the exclusive of an official bal
LOT would iniure some individuals. But wrong
k done to every honest citizen of the state so
long rs this reform is delayed. at every cleo
ton. for want of measures necessary to prevent
fraud and corruption Is it the part OF any
honest Governor to be Indifferent TO TINS enor-
nous wrong which needs remedy. ana 10 caro-
only for the possible and triiling, If not Wholly
imaginary. injury that might be done TO ihdI-
yiduals? The plea that suffrage would not be
entirely free for the very few who can neither
read nor recognize the ticket of their party from
its position or heading Is wrctchcd ana pi'ilul
in the extreme when il is remembered that inc
very object Of the bill is to give TO all cItlHcnS
what they have not now free ana secret ndI-
lot. and that thousands now suffer injustice
for want of the protection offered, where indi-
viduals might possibly fail 10 get complete pro-
lection by the modes proposed.
Not q single citizen of Ncw-York OF either
marty imagincs that the Governor, III acting
upon this question, will consider the publlc
morals or the public welfare first or manly
II is expected tina, he will consider his private
interest and that Of his party. II he thinks
public opinion has become 50 Su"hE '""' Nv
cannot afford to resist il longer. he Will sign
tho bills presented to him. If he thinks that
j, the best chance of preventing the passage
by Congress OF. National Election law ana
the enforcement Of that law in every Congress
sjonal district in this State, he may sign. But
10 one expects him 20 do his duty as a Governor
should. with a singlc-heartcd determination to
serve the public faithfully. Would IT not he
worth his while. even from the lower stand
point of the politician, 10 surprise the public by
an act of manly and faithful service? Might
he not gain far more. in the estimation OF iair-
minded citizens if he should ayow the convic-
ton that the good of the State and the nights
of the people require the adoption OF SulNian-
tally the measures in question, without iur'
Their delay in the hope of forcing changes OF
detail?