Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-01-08
HILL FOB REFORM.
The New York Governor speaks Boldly In
His dsssage

his infringe.
ALBANY. n. Y, January 7.-Governor
Hill, in bis ANIMAL message 10 the Legis.
lature, urges the desirsbility of some
changes in the lave relating 20 elections.
He reviews the present election laws ana
ssys:
yet, in spite Of these excellent provi-
sions, our laws 90 70. reach this two
great evils which attend onf elections
Intimidation and corruption. These
flourish unchecked, bringing shame upon
our State, rendering our elections a
mockery, and threatening even the in-
,egrity and existence OF our political
institutions. It is indeed sad
allegation, which is msds end not denied,
that in come parts II our State, at the re-
cent Presidential election corruption was
so unrestrsired tbst the scenes at the polls
ressmbled au auction more than election
ard that in other pisces intimidation WIS
80 prevalent aud undissuised, particularly
at some Of our manufacturing centres, that
employees were virtually driven to the polls
ard were actually instructed by their em.
ployers az TO what tickets they should
vote. No public service can be more pat
riotic than that which seeks TO guard suf-
frsge from such abuses
THE GOVERNORS PAN.
The Governor recommends the passage
of law which will provide for secret COM
partments for the voter, and claims tina,
this provision alone would do much to pre-
vent corruption, aid would secure The
chief benefits of true electoral rtfoIm. Ia
his opinion, general registration OF elec-
t0Is throughout the whole State should be
part Of the system.
On the subject Of unofficial ballots the
Governor saye: 81 recommend that pro-
vision be made for both official and unofli.
cisl ballots. Grave objections exis, to an
exclusively official ballot. Secrecy Of yot
ing can be compelled inst ss well without
il, and no sufficient reason exists why il
should not be insisted upoD. There il,
however, no objection TO candidates being
nominated by petition as well ss by party
conventions; neither is there serious ohjec.
tions to having ballots printed at public
expense 10 he called official ballots' and
duly furnished to the electors at the poll
ing places, thereby alwsys insuring an
abundance Of ballots and enabling any per-
son 10 become candidate without ex pense
to himself no far a. the cost of ballots Il
conceroed; hat unofficial ballots should be
permitted also.
SOME VIGOROTrs IANGUAgH
The Governor pays bis respects to those
who have assailed him ~ sn opponent of
"ballot reform" in the following passage:
"rhe cause Of true reform is not promoted
by loud defamation or by unseenly protes-
tatiops Of attachment on the part Of its pro-
fessed friends. Oser zfslousness becomes
suspicious in such cases, aud invites the
conclusion that partisan advantage OF
cheap reputation is the object sought,
rather than sir cere anxiety for the public
veal
The Governor reiers TO the proposed pro-
hibition amendment, aud says that he does
not believe the people of the State favor its
adoption. They are opposed to prohibit
tion, but believe in the regulation Of the
liquor traffic by just and equitable excise
laws, rigidly enforced. The Governo. i'm.
presses upon the Legislature the necessity
of encouraging b7 every proper means the
holding Of tie Worlds Fair in the City Of
New York. "Immtdiate ard generous sc-
tiJn by the Legislature is likely 10 have an
important Influence ia determining the at
titnde nf CoppreRan ~