New-York tribune., 1890-03-31
TIE WoHEING MEN DEMAND BALLOT
PEFORM

That was an interesting and significant piece
of news which was published a few days ago IN
relation TO the knights Of Labor. The represen-
tatives of thirty-fo of the district assemblies
of that powerful labor organization met at Al
bany one day last week for conference. Among
the subjects which were called up for discussion
were ballot-leform in general and the SaXton
bill in particular. The discussion ended by the
adoption of series of resolutions calling upon
Governor Hill to sign that measure, which, as
all who have ballot reform at heart agree Is
one of the best that has ever been devised TO
conserve the right of suffrage. That the adop-
ton of these resolutions was not periunctory
act is attested by the fact that committee was
appointed by the knights of Labor forthwith to
Law them before the Governor. The committee
discharged i-s duty and the result was, ac-
cordinc to our Albany correspondent, that the
Governor was nonplussed. "He tried at first
we are told. "to dodge the question by relating
the history of his frendness to the cause OF
the workingmen and finally asked the COM
mittec to wait for the present. The com
mittee acquiesced"
The incident is only one of many demonstra-
tons which have been afforded during the last
two or three years of the deep practical interest
which the wolkingmen OF the State take in the
subject of ballot reform. They realize that
under the existing election methods 80 large a
tax is imposed by the political bosses on candi-
dates for office for what are known as " cam
paicn expenses" that in too many districts a
poor man cannot afford to accept nomination.
Naturally they resent this sort of discrimination
| .I,o l,,.4'r
own a "barl" They call loudly for the pas
sage of bill calculated to break up the assess
ment system and the related evils which have
grown I'D with it-evis on which corrupt poll
ticans flourish at the expense OF the honest
voters. The incident is worthy OF note for an
other reason. 1t goes far TO prove the arIant
Stiffness of the assertion that the Saxton bill
makes for the disfranchiSement" of the H.
literate voter The Knights of Labor, as the
| public understands il. was not organized. nor Is
it conducted to DO anything calculated to put a
stumbling block in the path OF any man, how
ever humble Or ignorant. 1t is absurd 10 sup
pose that it would support the SaXton bill IL 1t
WAS not sure that the talk about disfTanchiSc-
nent was the veriest nonsense. No wonder,
then. that the Governor was ''nonplussed' when
committee of the Knights came to him in the
Executive Chamber with the resolution in Ques-
ton. For many years he has been steadily
| posing as the friend OF labor: and yet the sax
| ton bill, which he has already twice vetoed and
| is likely to veto again this week, is generally
regarded By worlIingmen as a measure in which
they have reason 4, feel vital interest Well
may he be " nonpussed" if, having killed the
| sayton bill third time. in the face of the grow
| ing demand for its passage by the leading labor
organizations Of the State. he still endeavors to
convince the workingmen that his regard for
| their wishes is not transparent sham.
| During the weeks when one Of the petitions
asking for the passage of the SaXton bill was
receiving signatures in the counting room of
! The TRIBUNE ii was no uncommon sight TO
see workingmen going to or coming from their
work walk in and add their names to the paper
They came by twos and threes day after day and
in the aggregate made a large body of petition
ers They will read with great satisfaction OF
| the resolutions which the Knights Of Labor
adopted doubtless many OF them are members
| OF that association. We recall the fact Of THEN
signing the petition for the benefit of the Gov
| crnOr.