New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-24
AMENDMENTS TO THE NEW LAW.
SENATOR SAXTON EXPLAINS THE CHANGES
WHICH HE DEEMS NECESSARY.
THERE ARE TOO MANY ELECTION OFFICERS
TOO MANY BALLOTS PRINTED-DEvICES
THAT WE'RE USED TO EvADE THE

SECRET BALLOT PRINCIPLE.
rRRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT THE rRIBUNE.]
Albany Nov Ex-senator Charles T. Saxton. Of
CLYDE the author of the wellknown BallotReorm faw
of this state has Just been in this city attending 10
some law business. While here he stated that he was
preparing amendments to the Ballot act which he be-
ueved would strengthen 1t as reformaory measure
In the direction Of preventing the bribery OF voters
and at the time diminishing the expense OF the
elections held under it, He said he was also drafting
amendments to the Corrupt Practices act, which he
thought to be essential TO its effective operation A,
present that act merely provides that candidate shall
make an itenized statement of his election expenses
"The candidate also ought to be compelled" said
Senator Saxton "to state his expenses In procuring
nomination. These often far larger than his cleo
ton expenses especially In judicial legislative
districts, where political party has an over
whelming majority, and, therefore, nomination as
sures election. The Corrupt Practices act ought
provide that political committees shall make
itemized report stating all their election expenditures
These two amendents, requiring candidate to tell
what nomination has cost him, and requiring po-
tcal committees to reveal how they have spent the
money given them have included in the bill amend
ing the Corrupt Practices act, which at work
upOn.n
What are the amendments you planning to
make to the Baot-Reform law9"
"One amendment with view Of reducing the cost
number Of ballots to be printed. We provided in the
Act that every voter should have four ballots Of every
kind. In other words we had 800 voters at each
polling place and we therefore printed 1200 Repub
ican ballots, 1000 Democratic ballots, 200 Pro
hbition ballots 1000 Sociastic ballots, and
providing four ballots Of each kind for every voter
Experience at the last election showed that not 10
per cent Of the ballots were destroyed and new ones
issued to the voters. In other words. only Ito
ballots of kind needed for 100 voters whereas
we had printed 400 ballots for them of each kind.
For safety we will still print In the proportion Of 200
ballots Of each kind for every 100 voters. We shall
cut the number of ballots 10 be printed Just in half
printing 600 ballots Of each kind. where formerly
printed 200 Of each kind. We shall be safe I'm max
Ing this amendment in view of the experience Of this
state and of Massachusetts under the Ballot Reform
law"
"Cannot the number Of election officers be reduced ??
"Thcy can be and they will be under amendments
which hay under preparation. There is need Of the
two ballot clerks acting inspectors Of election upon
the days of registration as they did in the rural dis
cts Three inspectors sufficient for this work IT Is
ridiculous that five men should be paid 10 register 800
voters The two ballot clerks needed upon election
day and upon other
senator saxon then stated that there was popular
msappreension to tho expense of the election hav
ing been caused solely by the Ballot Reform act The
Registration acn he said cost the State large pro
portion of the expense Of the election do not say
this in criticism Of the Registration act. am glad
that 1t was passed. 1t is necessary supplement to
the Ballot Reform act. l merely state the fact be
cause many corrupt men who have formerly made
money by being entrusted with the bribery Of voters
are now trying TO excite prejudice against the Ballot
Reform act by declaring that II is an expensive meas
urc The Australian Ballot Reform system has de
lighted the people of this State and of other States
n has given Them in my opinion. much purer cleo
lions There no danger, therefore, that the Ballot
Reform act will be repealed but there is some that
II NAV be crippled. The expense 1t has caused and