The sun., 1890-01-24

ssy: nm ia IA-e w,sh N. r.rty-Dseisre-

eev. Hin IN Iine with IrIs Psrty-Deeisrn-
uSns or the Qonventions OF 1sse and 1889.
ALBANY, Jan. 28-The discussion Of Gov.
Hills attitude on the question OF ballot reform
10 In some quarters befoRRed by misunder-
standings that excite surprise here That all
sorts OF puerile criticism should be levelled at
him By those who "blindly creep or slghtless
soar In the consideration OF the subject, is to
DO expected, That sort Of criticism is gov-
erned by its source, and not at all affected by
the fact that its object is q man whose opinions
are founded on an exhaustive study OF the
whole subject But there is reason for real
surprise at the position Of those who attack tho
Governors views as un-Democratic-not In
line with the policy and principles OF the party
when he arrays himself In opposition to the
moro than doubtful constitutionality Of the
Saxton bill, and confesses to more than suspi-
cton OF the good faith OF the Republican pro-
tostations OF desire to reform election meth
ods and purify the ballot Those who arc in
any way uncertain about the perfect coinci-
dence between the lines on which the Governor
moving and those on which the party
PIN the State is travelling, should read
anew the declaration OF the Academy OF Music
Convention Of May, 1883. The Democratic
position upon this question was stated en-
phatically after the passage OF the first saxton
the State Convention that sent delegates to the
National Convention Of 1888 unanimously
adopted. That resolution is as follows:
Resolved That the socalsd saxton Electoral Reform
bill passed by the Legislature and before the Gov
ernor for Executive action. Ia partisan sub
versivo Of Democratic princpleS destructive of the
secrecy Of the ballot ecaoious to promote fraud and
corruption opposing needless and useless obstacles
the SuraEes of the busy and hArd.working voter in
tended the first blow at universal suffrage Of citizens
by diSfranchisng the unearned electors. and intro
duces into our simple system Of elections method
which may be necessary under the rule OF the British
empire but is not desirable among this free people.
The first Saxton bill was almost identical in
effect, though differing in details of construc-
ton. to that which he has introduced this ses-
sion. The bill Of 1889 differed somewhat. but
was no nearer the standard OF the party in the
State, and in the platform as adopted at Syra-
cuse last fall 1t is thus referred to:
sixth-Ths Democratic party renews It's declaration
In favor electoral reform We demand such changes
In our election laws will efectually promote
the secrecy of the ballot stop corruption at the polls
and prevent the intimidation and corruption Of
The Republican majority refused TO enact Just and
sonable the last OF the Legislature
but instead thereof passed bill containing provisions
which unconstitutional grossly defective clearly
impractioabe and otherwise Objectionable and which
properly with Executive dSapprovAL Its ins.ncer
ity manifested in its subsequent refusal enact
any different measure for securing ballot reform
The Republican plan. to which Saxton and
Fassett in the Senate and Hustled and Fish in
the Assembly are committed. is to try to rush
their ballot bill through before the real rush Of
Legislative work begins. The hearings are to
be restricted as to number. the committees
will report without the slightest delay. and If
the bill passes in a shape that the Governor
will not approye the work of trying TO get n