The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-15
An Important Measure Contaminated.

Governor HILL signed on Tuesday the
L1NsoN Registration bill, which THE Sun
has advocated as an equitable and salutary
measure In the interest offairness in voting,
and of uniformity in the laws governing the
franchise. The bill provides that in order
to vote in either OF the thirty-two cities Of
the State, every elector must register
In person. In these cities the Boards Of
Registry are to sit on four successive days
before election for the purpose OF register
ing voters. Such has been the law In this
city for many years past; and hereafter all
the cities Of the State are placed under q
uniform rule on the subject.
Outside OF the cities, every voter must be
registered, but he is not required to appear
in person for that purpose. In the country
districts the inspectors OF election must
first copy the poll list of those who voted
at the State election last November; and then
add to the list the names OF such other per-
SOILS as they know to be legal voters in tho
polling district, or as are proved to be quail
flied. This must all be done at the first two
meetings of the Boards. to be held on the
third and second Saturdays before the cleo
ton Oct 10 and Oct. 25y. At the third meet
ing, to be held on Friday before election
oct. 80 this year,. no new names shall DO
added, except those OF voters who actually
appear In person.
For many years 1t has been subject OF
Just complaint among the voters in the pop
ulous cities Of the State, that the registry
feature of the voting law Disseminated
against them by imposing restrictions In the
way Of an annual enrolment, from the re-
auirement of which electors outside Of
the great cities were exempt. The Demo-
cratic position has throughout been In
favor OF uniformity. not In order that the
burdens imposed upon Democratic localities
should, for partisan benefit, also be imposed
on Republican localities; but that what
ever burdens may be incident to voting and
requisite for the preservation OF fairness In
elections, should fall on all localities alike.
This important requirement Is now at
tanned. Under the new law there is no dis
elimination between tho smaller cities which
are usually Republican, and tho larger cities
which are strongly Democratic.
For this attainment full credit Is due to
Governor HILL. In all matters affecting the
rights and interests Of the people, he has
proved himself a consistent and cour-
ageOus leader OF the Democratic majority.
DESTROYS always of securing TO the party OF
which he is the acknowledged head in tho
State the substance OF their political rights
and not merely the shadows. To him, in
great measure, will be due the ability of the
Democracy to enter the Presidential fight OF
1892 on terms of perfect equality with their
opponents 80 far as voting Is concerned
Tho new law of uniform registration will
do much to secure this; and by equaliIinR
1t will also add to the political power of the
cities. which. by the gradual and steady
change in population, are constantly gain.
ing In political strength.
Although the Republican managers. by
their refusal to reapportion the State as
provided by the Constitution. have been able