New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-17
BALLOT-BOX AND SCHOOL.
AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS DEFENDED AT
CHAUTAUQUA.
SPEECHES BY SENATOR sAxToN AND EX-
MINISTER JOHN JAY AT THE ASSEMBLY
GROUNDSITO-DAY'S MEMO
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.
RIAL SERVICES.

.rces have TODAY listened TO notable addresses by
eminent men vital political questions. This morn
ing state Senator SaxtOn gave an admirable exposition
of the nature and working of the new Ballot Reform
law and carried his hearers away by the eloquence
and vigor of his defence of the elective franchise and
ME denunciation of those who debauch it, The ven
cradle John JAY, formerly United states Minister TO
Austria, spoke to equally large and enthusiastic
audience this afternoon the objects of the National
Ieague for the Protection of American Institutions, OF
which he president and DIR, James NJ King. its sec
rotary followed with paper on "The Origin and
Present Status of the Common Schools" Mr.. Saxton.
who was introduced a man of action" was greeted
with loud applause, which was frequently renewed
throughout his speech.
professional politicians he said, have suspended
their usual vocation of fixing things long enough to
consider the effect the Ballot Reform law is
likely to produce upon their business They don't Ike
the outlook but they reached the conclusion some
time ago that il was refrain from acts of open
hostility With their usual stiffness, they have even
turned the agitation to their political advantage ny
making ballot reform party question ana al the SAME
time using every effort to defeat it, The aoofhg ana
farming classes have, however, toyfuly welcomed lhe
idea, because they believe it means the emancipation
pf the voter from the arbitrary rule OF the machine
it, progress has been surprisingly rapid Three years
ago probably not dozen people In TINS audl-
snce had any acquaintance with the Austat
Ian system of voting. To-day, laws modelled on
States. The bill signed by Governor Hill this year Is
framed Oh the same plan, and although in one sense
a compromise measure and defective, II embraces te
fundamental principles which are essential 10 an!
genuine ballot reform law. We cannot overstate The
Importance Of the ballot in county where 1t is the
source of all political power.
ave are apt TO make a fetch of our institutions.
believing them be capable by their inherent virtue
OF protecting us from all evils. This is serious
mistake Popular government is not the best govern
mcnt of the best people. Now am not pessimiSt.
I have abundant faith in our institutions and In the
American people. There is enough brain and con-
science among US TO right every wrong and to mend
every imperfectlon. Yet crimes in the use OF tile
elective franchise have in the last few years been
more bold and fragrant than before in the history
OF the country. The secrets of American politics can
never be excepting 10 those concerned in them
The situation undoubtedly far worse now than it was
thirty years ago. In addition to our own ignorance,
vice and poverty, have to look after the ignorance
vice and poverty of the hundreds of thousands who
annually float 10 our shores. The ballot is placed in
the hands of the voter before he has any conception
OF what Ii means On election day he discovers that
there is q market for his vote. What wonder thaa
he comes regard the franchise merely as private
perquisitel There enough purchasable votes III
several of our to determine the National cleo
ton Caucuses and conventions are also controlled
10 an alarming extent, by money power An abuse
that particularly interests the waSeworkcr Is that
made possible to employers. The alleged secrecy OF
our present system is shield only to those who need
no defence. Men, know, cannot be made virtuous
BIZ acts of legislation. We need, more than anything
else, a quickening of the individual conscience,
kener sense of personal honor in matters relating TO
public dutv The Australian ballot system rests on
the theory that, if can make election offences eA-
tremely difficult and the profit extremely uncertain,
We can thereby diminish their number. 1t seeks 10
remove both the opportunity and the motive Tor COM
in nd arfV Gr
CARNATIONS. 1 myself AM an offensive partisan.
believe every man should give loyal and Jealous
service to the party of his choice, SO long as 1t remains
true 10 the principles Which it processes to represent
But don't believe that any man owes allegiance to
ring that has seized party"organizatioh, with
view TO using it as instrument TO bring about the
enrichment or ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of a few selfish III
dviduals.
As 10 the new law, much of the expense OF the
next election viii he chargeable to the new Registration
Law There Is 10 necessity for many election DIS
rcts or such expensive ballots the law requires
The booths cold be fewer In number and less elaborate
In design. he clause which requires the voter 70
remain AT lest three minutes in the booth is not only
unreasonabI but it IS practically impossible OF enforce
ment Tvo defects regarded with especial uneasiness
by the trends Of true ballot reform are the clauses
relating the separate ballot and the unofficial paster
ballot All who have cOrruptly profted by the ola
system aope by the aid of these provisions to defeat
the IMPOSE of the law and we hope TO secure their
amensnent in the next Legislature. But notwith-
stancg its defects, the law is notable event III our
political history rs successful operation will mean
nun for the purifying Of our institutions, ana wheh
tnext great reform Is accomplished in caucnses and
caventiOns American political life VIII be greatly
qanged for the better"
Mr. Jay in his address this afternoon defined the
objects of the new League. d" 1t aims" he said, 70
constitutional and legislative safeguards for the
protection OF the common school system and other
American institutions; to promote public Instruction
In harmony with those Institutions, and TO prevent all
sectarian appropriation Of public funds. An amend
10 the National Constitution proposed by it, Law
Committee applies to the States restriction similar to
that imposed BY the Ist Amendment on Congress. IN
amendment OF this character, proposed by President
Grant and introduced by Mr.. Blaine, passed the House
Of Representatives in December, 1870 1t was de
feated in the Senate by - nays, and 16 yea.
lacking the twothirds. Both Of the National parties
In 1876 pledged themselves 10 the common schools
and All absolute division Of Church and state. We
want no foreign schools, with doctrines, ideas and
methods at variance with constitutional principles
Inc Leagues plan Of action Will embrace the ofgalza
uon OF auxiliary leagues throughout the country with
out regard TO creed or party and the appointment OF
local committees On the appointment Of the best
equipped persons school trustees and supefin
teuents, the fitness of school houses and appliance,
ana The personal character and qualifications Of teach
ers' Inc committees will also scIutinize textbooks
" $50 'a' 'hey contain nothing Of secarian character
s y 70 Vioiae The American principle OF a plee
,iic IN VI Nhufch and state. Ihey Will sec
0tss are appropriated for sectarlan purposes,
-, w inmates oil public Institutions subJc ctsd
nv ,oIeh vi sectallan teaching and Will remind
,Sir tSucuses and conventions OF tie pledges
IN in. 1, pafues for The protection Of Amer
!odh Ihsu'uOis questioning all Candidates for uuIlc
0,nOe a. !" Tier standing these fundamental
private or parocial schools which do J t,n
10 draw ucif support from public funds or subject
disappearing OF the predominant Inann3o, ", "ie
ucliar dehonilIauon In the public school manage
HleIt, IL also disapproves OF the excInSrnn srna
fair share III the management Of those of vjsta,.r
gshoHllhaoh; VINO sehu tleir children 10 the ,choo,
The Congressional speeches and yot4s n,a-", 20
uonal issue which dwarfs all ouier Gueiiio"e rbo
concessions Involve the lst Amendment a. the 81 |
tOnal Constitution. They Condemn tho S VI. "a
work Of other denominations and arn1. . aloaI