The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-01-22
VIEWS DON'T AGREE.
Governor Abbett's Policy
Concerning Ballot
Reform.
LOCAL LEADERS SPEAK on IT.
Everybody Commends Some Part,
But Few Commend all the
Governor Has to Say.


Governor Abbett's advice to the Legis-
iature concerning ballot reform was
watched for eagerly by every politician
and taxpayer in this county and when
THE JERSEY CITY NEWS, the only
paper that presented full report of it in
this city was issued. every copy was
eagerly seized by Democrats who had
been prevented from attending the cere-
monies
To ascertain what the public thought
of the recommendations for ballot reform
interviewed number Of gentlemen this
morning.
Ex-Finance Commissioner Emil Datz, q
Republican, declared ''the ideas are good;
| believe the Governor is right, and hope
the reforms will be carried out"
REPUBLICANS WHO SAY NAY TO IT.
Counsellor M. L. Newbold said;-"Yes,
/ have read the ballot reform portion of
the Governors message, and l must say
that | am surprised. The distribution of
tickets prior TO the election will open the
door to more fraud. There is not enough
bribery in the State, to say anything
about it.
The thing to guard against is not the
ballot before it is put in the box, but the
disposition of it after its deposit In other
words, we want an honest election board
who will count the votes as they are cast
Postmaster Dickinson'-'I did not read
the Governors message. have heard
of the ballot reform idea as propounded
by the new Governor, however but it
will not amount to anything in practice.
Real ballot-reform is that which will hit
the election officers. They control the
ballot box, and run things as they please
Until this is done there can be no fair
count
Mr.. FEENER FAyoRs.
John p. Feeney, president of the Police
Board said:-'I don't agree with the
Governor that ballots should be marked,
but do believe him right when he SAYS
there should be general registration law
that would include every voter in the
State"
Judge Lippincott told me that he ''co-
incided with Governor a Abbett's view; it's
time we had reformation IN our election
laws" riA 81
Judge Paxton said that he stliked the
law proposed by the Governor, especially
that part that would compel South Jersey
to cast honest votes.n
WILL NOT BE PRACTICAL. s4
II have not had time" said Mayor
Grassman, of Hoboken, ito peruse it
carefully as yet, but / think that in some
ways it will not be Dracticrl."
Police Commissioner Coyle-'T think
N1lftb pull Vi VIC tuCcoct&G WHICH tE6dDS VI
ballot reform is q step in the right direc-
ton. OF course some of the views are
rather extreme, but as whole it is well
treated
f.la PASTOR scUDDER APPROVES.
The Rev. John u. Scndder, of the
Tabernacle, who has taken an active part
IN the hallot reform movement, is very
well pleased with Governor Abbetts' In
augural address. In speaking about that
part relating to electoral reform Mr..
Scudder said:-''I have read that portion
of Governor Abbett's message which re-
lates to ballot reform with great delight,
and am gratified to see that my prophecy,
delivered week ago Sunday night, is
substantially verified by the manly ex-
pressions of our Governor touching this
important subject. What refreshing
contrast his message is to that of Cover
nor Hill, of New York. 1t is difficult to
see how any honest ballot Tetormer can
fail to applaud him. / do not agree with
him on one point and that is that relat-
ing to the distribution of the ballot, but,
however, the Governor will concede that
1t is a statesmanlike document
HENRY GEORGE SAYS ADMIRABLE"
Mr.. Henry George, who has made a
study of ballot reform for years was seen
at his Office in New York this morning.
He was busy preparing for his journey
to Australia; but he found time TO talk
about the message. Mr.. George said:-
Governor Albeit very kindly sent me
Il copy of his message several days ago.
/ must say that the whole message Is an
admirable document, and especially that
part relating to ballot reform. The Gov
ernor and do not agree upon one point,
but that makes very little difference. /
think that every honest man in the State
should applaud Governor Albeit for the
stand he has taken. / wish him God
speed in his noble work, and If the Legis-
lature of New Jersey will put aside par
tisanship, the genuine ballot reform bill
will become a law"
Ex-Judge Wheeler II. Peckham, of the
Ballot Reform League OF New York.
said:-"Governor Albeit stands shoulder
to shoulder with Grover Cleveland in re-
gard to ballot reform. The message is
excellent, and say bravo to the lion
hearted Governor OF New Jersey"
HUDSON COUNTY PRAISE.
]. r. Abarbanell, president of the Hud-
son County Ballot Reform Association,
said:-''It is a great state paper. Gov
ernor Albeit speaks my sentiments on
ballot reform. do not believe, however,
as he does that the official ballots should
be distributed before election day. Let
the ballot reformers throughout the State
fall in line now and work with our Gov
ernor.n
J, T. Altemus said:-"Governor Albeit
places himself in the front rank of ballot
reformers, inasmuch as he agrees with
the men who have been advocating the
adoption of the Australian system for
years, and opposes the position taken by
Governor Hill, of New York What
makes this part of the message important
is that Governor Albeit is the first Demo-
cratic Governor of State having an over
whelmingly Democratic majority who has
come out fiat-footed for all the essential
features of the Australian system of vot-
ing He does not evade any point and
speaks in clear and strong language. /
do not hesitate to say that support every
part of the message"