New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-21
THE DEMAND foK BALLOT REFORM.

THE DEMAND FOR BALL0T REFORM.
There is no longer any doubt that ma
iority of good citizens is in earnest over ballot
reform. There are manifold proofs OF the
fact. one of which is the attitude Of those who
arc hostile to the movement. "ovcrnor iiI'
has already betrayed his regrets and fears by
dcyoting more than One-half OF his annuai
message to the subject, and by transparent AT
tennis to arrange a compromise. The news
napcrs which treated the matter a. Joke
wear ago have found the joke 80 grim as to
roouire paces of cucidation The topic gets
hearing in every circle and docs not even need
the stimulus of opposing views to make II IN
tcrcsting.
There is no other public question when mas
not been ecipscd by this demand Tor an I'M
corr,lptcd ballot 1t would, for instance nave
Lecn impossible, we believe, 10 get together on
sucb short notice so many intelligent earnest
substantial citizens in support OF any other
,,usc a. met last Thursday night IN Cooper
Union 10 express and promote the CONVICTION
that ballot reform is the most urgent necessity
of tho time That gathering comprised mon
Of all parties and Of no party. scholars ana
men Of affairs. Young and old rich and poor
rboro was no manufactured enthusiasm, bat
,borc WAS abundance Of sincere determination.
Since tina, meeting the Ncw-l Ballot-Rc-
form League has provided another wa! nl
which the popular voice may reach Albany.
ID has printed and distributed thouSihuN oi
copies Of brief petition TO the Legislature
cmhodying the essential principles o. the re-
form. MANY newspapers have reproduced TINS
circular. and thus multiplied rs circulation Il
hundred fold so that We may assume tha' there
is scarcely "A village in the state from WHICH D!
this means. a halnt-rcform message may not
be sent 10 the capital This fact suggests the
remarkable pfcpondcrancc OF editorial opinion
in silnDort of the movement and tins IN turn
If the newspapers are a. prompt and Sklliul IN
rcsnonding 10 the general sentiment OF their
readers as they are supposed % be. Is most
significant circumstance. The daily journals
If this CITY. with only a single exception worth
considering. are jealous constant, aggressive
friend, and advocates Of ballot reform ms
rnion Of forces which are usually divided ac-
curatcly typfcS the Sprit IN which the con
tcst generally is and everywhere ought 10 be
waccd II is not a scheme for personal ahVAn-
tage or party triumph but the rcSolute ana
enlightened advance Of good citizens upon the
intrcnchmcntS OF corruption.
For two years past the Democratic party OF
this state has been unfortunately, perhaps IN
worihly, represented At Albany by legislators
who have been unwilling 20 cooperate with
their political adycrSarics in passing an honest
and efficient measure Of ballot reform over the
veto Of a Democratic Governor. The Rcpub-
lican majority will not abandon lis ground TINS
wear. BAT stand steadily by IT, record. The
practical question is whether enough Demo
Gratis 70 make Governor Hills bitter hostility
unavailine will refuse 10 he bound hy his de-
crccS. II will be strange indeed if some Dem
ocratic votes do not respond to the demand
now going up from all parts OF the State