The Monmouth inquirer., 1890-05-08
BALLOT REFORM AT LAST
The Compromise Measure Has
Become a Law.
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR HILL.

ne rs MOI 6btlSnc0 WAtA btAC AhAAAf Dut
Considers 1t Better Than None-The
"Paster'' Ballot Described-Some of the
Features of the Bill.
ALBANY, ,ssMay 9.-In his memorandum
fled with his approval of the amended
Saxton ballot reform bill (bill 557) Governor
Hill says:
''The people of the state are to be con-
graduated on having at last secured the
enactment of reasonable and constitu-
tional electoral reform law The bill re-
ceived the unanimous support of each
branch of the legislature and apparently
reflects faithfully the demands of public
sentiment
"It is not claimed that it Is perfect
measure. 1t must be conceded that it con-
tains many cumbrous and unnecessary
provisions, but 1t presents as whole a
fairly acceptable measure, capable Of eff
fecting some substantial and practical re-
form.
His Efforts Partially Successful.
ut has been my earnest endeavor during
the past three years to secure the enact
ment of law which, while preserving the
purity of elections, should not unnecessar-
lily infringe upon the rights of citizens OF
violate constitutional guarantees. have
steadily opposed every effort to impose un-
necessary restrictions and impracticable
regulations which are not adapted to our
free institutions, or which would render
our elections enormously expensive and
vexatious 1t is to be regretted, however,
that such endeavors have only been par
TALLY successful"
Features of the Approved Bill.
After pointing out the differences be-
tween the present bill and the bills here
tofore vetoed and dwelling upon some of
his objections to the latter, the governor
says: "The approved bill provides for the
private booth or compartment system in
which the voter must enter and where he is
at liberty to prepare his ballot in secret.
The bill provides for Independent as well
as party nominations, and authorizes the
printing of all ballots at public expense.
1t may well be doubted whether these pro-
visions will effect all the reforms claimed
in their behalf or that they will materially
reduce the expenses of candidates, but they
are worthy of a fair trial The blanket
ballot, which has been one of the leading
l6dUuToS Ol d1l Uuc pECf1Otto Dllio, hdo DCClL
abandoned. To that form of ballot / have
always strenuously objected, believing it to
be cumbersome, unnecessary and unwar-
ranted by the constitution. There has been
substituted in its place the form of ballot
now in use to which the people are accus-
toned and to which [ firmly believe they
desire to adhere
The "Paster" Ballot.
"Each set of nominations is to be printed
on separate ballot, and one additional
ballot is to be furnished, on which only the
names of the offices to be filled are to be
printed, and each voter on entering the
polling place is to be given one set of these
ballots, and upon entering the private COM
partment he is to select one of them to
vote. The bill also provides for a new
species of ballot, known as a 'paster'
ballot, which the elector can procure any
where outside of the polling place, and he
is allowed to paste the whole thereof upon
any of the official ballots which may be
handed him and vote the same. The
'paster ballot answers every purpose of
the unofficial ballot contemplated in the
Linson bill. Instead of placing his ballot
in an official envelope the elector is allowed
to affix the same to an official covering
which performs the same service. The il
choice by the use of the 'paster' ballot,
and he is not required to perform the i'm
possible task of erasing names which he
cannot read or of making determinations
which he cannot comprehend.
A Constitutional Ballot Preserved.
"a constitutional ballot is sacredly pre-
served An elector is permitted to vote a
ballot which contains the names of the Of
fees to be filled and the names of the can
didates of his choice and those only. One
official ballot which the elector is to receive
and upon which he is at liberty to affix his
| 'paster' ballot, contains only the names of
the offices to be filled. In one sense it may
be urged that the exclusively official bal
lot is still retained, but in another and
broader view it is apparent that it's pecu-
liar characteristics have been largely elimi-
mated
s'The Tasmanian Dodge" Prevented.
II have never objected to any reasona-
BILE regulations which have been suggested
for the preservation of the secrecy of the
ballot and the promotion of the purity OF
elections; but have opposed every effort,
no matter how insidious, which has sought
to undermine the principles OF manhood
suffrage and to establish conditions, re-
strictions and qualifications not authorized
by Une CONSTITUTION lUSell. Oullhc oHo AuSU
two bills this one applies to all elections
for public officers by ballot, except school
elections. One defect which has existed in
all the previous bills has been cured in
this. A system of numbering the stubs
upon each ballot has been devised, where
by it is believed that the evasion of the
Australian system of voting known as the
Tasmanian dodge has been effectually
prevented.
Some of the Bil1's Provisions.
"The conceded unconstitutional section
in relation to the election of ballot clerks
contained in the last bill has been rejected
and valid and proper provision inserted.
The provisions applying the new system to
elections where constitutional amendments
or other similar questions are to be sub
mitted to the people have been stricken out
The number of electors necessary to pre-
sent independent nominations has been
increased from that required in the last
two bills. The construction of the pro-