The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-01-28

and Ss Independent In its pielDs on all
local questions.
Ballot Reform in the Legislature.
What our correspondent denomi-
mates the first practical step towards
ballot reform was taken at Trenton
last evening. We rather differ from
our correspondent as to the historic
accuracy of that statement. We be-
lieve that the election of Leon
Albeit to the Governship was
the first practical step in that
Objection. The choice of a governor
ETho was sincere lin his advocacy of
. this great movement, and who pos
sesses the force of intellect and char
acter necessary to push it to a sue
cessful issue was the first practical
step towards the desired result.
The second step was the promnlga-
ton of the new Governors views in
his his Inaugural address Just how far
we agree with him in his extreme
opinions, and just where we differ
from him, we have already explained.
We have said that in our estima-
ton he went beyond the conyic-
tions of his party, and further than
a wise conservatism justifies; but at
any rate he swept out OF the path of
reform all the cloud of malignant
fabrication which the Republican
leaders tried to build up as an OBJ
struction to any bill that might be
proposed in the Legislature.
But the non-partisan committee
proposed by Mr. Mullone is a step in
the right direction and a big one.
Such q committee can hear all the
evidence available as to how reform
systems have workedin other States,
and can hear the arguments of per-
sons representing every shade
of opinion. 1t matters little
what report the committee makes, o r
whether 1t makes two reports or none
at all. The point is to get a truthful
statement of the facts and something
like a judicial discussion OF the prin-
ciples involved, before the people. At
mass meetings and in political pamph-
let's all sorts of wild and fatuous state
ments are made, some of which violate
all ommon sense, aud which still pass
current as wisdom.
Now two things may be taken for
granted. One is that no reform meas
ure will effect an absolute reform, the
other is that even an absolute reform
would be dearly purchased at the
price of constitutional rights or per-
sonal liberty. AS to the former propo-
Eition, people who look at things
coolly will grant it at once, though
extremists seem to think that
the Australian system will make
every one honest, or, at least, make
dishonesty impossible. AS to the
second, the fanatics OF the Australian
class seem to wholly disregard it.
They seem to think it unimportant
whether citizens votes are legislated
away or not, SO long as their pet idea
is realized. In fact, they propose to
substitute for a regime of laxity n
of tyranny.
For u own part, we do not see
why it should not be open to anyone
to circulate any ballot he pleases, and
to vote any ballot he pleases, and to
spend as much money as he pleases,
too, provided he does not give it in
brides. But now all these things will
be properly discussed and the public
will have better material on which to
base Judgments than unofficial discus
sion furnishes.
EX-GOVERNOR Green is pronounced
by the Paterson Press the worst left
man in the United States on account
Of ballot reform. The Press says:
SHE came out last wear for the Aus