New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-15
THE FRIENDS AND FOES OF BALLOT
REFORM


REFORM.
The vote by which the SaXton bill passed
the Assembly on Thursday is worthy OF the
serious consideration of good citizens. For it
was a most important one The questions at
issue were: Shall additional and much-needed
safeguards be thrown around the right OF
suffrage? Shall an end be made of bribery
and corruption at the polls? Shall candidates
for Office be protected against plunderng that
is TO say, assessments vying bosses those
who voted for the bill must be regarded as
having answered these questions III the Affirm
alive, those who voted against 1t as having
answered them in the negative. The Affirmative
votes numbered 70, and all except of them
were cast by Republicans tho negative votes
numbered 81, and without an exception were
cast by Democrats.
Nothing could more omphatically attest the
radical difference which exists between the two
great political parties in this state. Repub-
licanism means reform Democracy means anti
reform. Whenever an opportunity is afforded
for making a crucial test that fact comes to
the surface. The Saxton bill ought TO have
gone through by a unanimous vote. There Is
no politics in it; it is in the interest of every
nla1l-NcDuUDCdU,D tlLsNldt, 4Ih- NuhiPV VI ! ~
hibitionist-who is really in favor of pure cleo
tions. If it becomes a law 1t cannot fail to
strengthen government of the people IN this
great State. But such considerations are thrown
away upon the members of the minority IN the
legislature They take their orders from
David b. Hill. anti-reformer, "WhSkcy'S Gov
ernor" in fact When the temperance issue
comes up he invariably takes the side of the
saloonkeepers When ballot reform comes up
he invariably takes the side of the bosses. As
goes Hill so go his party friends in the Senate
and Assembly. The Democracy has 20 repre-
sentatives in the Legislature, 10 Senators and
OF Assemblymen, and of these only q supported
the Saxton bill
This record is the moro disgraccful when ono
conlders the reason which the Democratic
leaders assigned for their opposition 10 the
measure 1t was tho baldcSt kind of a prcteSt
they found serious fault with the section
which prohibits the use Of any ballots except
those furnished at the public expense. In other
words, they are for ballot REFORM provided us
most essential feature is eliminated. The OIL
cial ballot is regarded by those whose opinion
is most entitled to respect as a part OF the
essence Of the reform in question. 1t Is pro-
vided for in nearly all the laws securing ballot
reform which are in force throughout the coun-
try. The great good which it is calculated TO
accomplish has frequently been pointed out in
these columns. 1t is the most effective cXpcdi-
ent which has yet been hit upon for the OK
termination of the bribe- giver the bribc-taker
and the assessment striker. Hills followers
contend that its adoption would lead to tho
Acknowledgement of ignorant voters. There IS
nothing in this plea. The bill as 1t stands
makes adequate provision for the iliteratc.
They are to be aft ordcd all Che assistance they
need in the preparation OF their ballots BY
/ officials sworn to fidelity i'll the discharge OF
their duties Is il not folly to argue that this
class of voters would fare better If left to the
| tender mercies OF the hcelcrs, who, under our
present system, labor TO buy up and bambooze
them? The more the objection TO the official
| ballot is examined the moro frivolous II looks.
| The Saxton bill now returns TO the Senate
| for concurrence, some amendments having been
adopted since it passed that body These
amendments, being comparatively unmpor-
tant can be disposed Of at single session.
II is eminently desirable that the bill should
reach the Governor without delay. For, if
he kills it, public opinion may express itself 50
strongly in condemnation that an effort TO pass
| it over his veto may succeed.