New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-14
PASSING THE SAXTON BILL.
THE BALLOT REFORM BILL GOES THROUGH
THE ASSEMBLY.
SINISTER BANNER CT GOVERNOR HILL
AND WITH -FOUR EXCEPTIONS VOTE
AGAINST THE MEASURE
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE IKIBCSE.l

| OUstratcd today most cOncluSNeK In tic Assembly
by every representative Of that party except four,
taking place at his side In opposition TO ballot re-
| form. All the Senate Democrats, except two, also
voted against ballotrcform a few days ago. There
IS a certain gentleman named Grover Cleveland, an
aspirant for the Democratic nomination for the Presi-
dcncy, who recently wrote strong letter as he
capable Of writing in favor Of allotcforn; but
his words have fallen unhccded on the ears Of the
Democratic members of the legislature Of New York.
| They and ALL with the trihing exception men
toned. have followed the advice of Mr.. Hill to oppose
the proposed reform. In the light Of this action, who
is most likely 70 be supported for the Presidency by the
Democrats Of this Statc-David B. Hill or Grover
Clevelandi II Is said by the Mugwump admirers Of
MIR. Cleveland that lie represents the purcr element
in the Democratic party and Mr.. Hill its most cor
rupt element For the present. at least the corrupt
element seems TO be uppcrmOst In the Democratic
party in this State and dominate I'm its councils.
The Mugwunp attacks upon the Republican party,
therefore, are but clearing the ground for David b.
I'M and the bascst element the Democratic party TO
come 10 the front In the politics of the Nation Tor,
plainly, Mr.. Cleveland has been set aside party
leader by the Democrats of the state which must
support him IL he Is to be rcnominaod for the Prcsi
dcncy.
10 was plain as soon az tho Assembly took up
Senator saxtons Ballot Reform bill 10 day. that Mr..
sheehan had received orders from Governor Hill 20
whip into line every Democratic member OF the A.
scmby in opposition to the measure. He moved about
among them giving his orders which were received IN
meek spirit. Tie Republicans. under the lead Of
Mr.. Ackcr, first made the necessary amendments 10
the bill adopted by tho judiciary Committee Then
Nir. Peck. OF Cortland County tRepublcan moved TO
strike ont OF the bill the amendment made at the sug-
eestion Of that astutc Democratic Asscmbyman George
". Greene. OF orange County, providing for the use
of unofficial ballots II candidate shall withdraw,
be Ineligible become ineligible before election day.
As has been pointed out In The Tribune. this amend
/ -
Ballot Reform Act by permitting the nomination Of
dummy or Of well known ineligible candidates with
the intention Of withdrawing them before election day
and using unoricir ballots Mr.. Greene. OF course,
opposed the adoption Of Mr.. Pccks motion and de
pccd as harrowingy he could the horrors Of having
Ineligible candidates upon the Official ballots. Mr.
Peck replied in forcblc speech pointing out that the
amendment virtually killed tho bill by authorizing the
OF unofficial ballots for all candidates who should
withdraw. In that as he well said. fun list Of
candidates might be withdrawn and unofficial ballots
be used FOR every candidate.
1t Is dangerous provision 10 put IN tho bil.' said
he and believe every true supporter Of ballot re-
form fears it,
Il cannot that you have yet given good reason
ara.nt th.s amcncmcnt.7 said Mr.. >hcehan with
cool air.
1T seems to me- replied Mr. Peck " that have
given sufficient reason when point ont that dummy
candidate, may De nominated under it. and that thus
I
law In finishing his speech Mr.. Peck explained
that as a member of tho Judiciary Committee he hal
not voted upon the amendment because lie had not
understood IL.
| Mr. Aokcr followed with an earnest speech In
favor Of the hlll Every person knows he said.
that the main object Of th, hin /, To prevent tho
rihcry 81 voter. and that We think. be accom-
plshed to large dcescc hy having an official bal
ot. We seek b. put a wall between the man that
may De lrlbcd and the man who hrbcs. We compel
oycrv voter 70 official ballot and prohibit all
others Mr.. Grccn~'s amendment. II adopted. would
iii the bill. II would open the door 70 the party in
clu'd t. adopt dIshonorlblc method t. adopting
| them. We should have shoai, OF dummy candidates.
II are 10 have Ballot Reform. let us have the genu
inc article and not = sham. proposed by Mr.
Grccnc II /, a common trick of politician, to seek
io defeat reform Law by Just such amendments ~
these to pretend t. pa, reform law. but rcally to
pas, one which Will be a dead letter
A-,cmblyman Townc. Of Chautauqua County who
claim, t. Doe Republican,. made speech that II ono
had been bndfpticd at the time of it, delivery, one
would have declared 10 be coming from Democrat
with Mr. Peck he neglected 10 vote at the meeting of
the judiciary Committee when II passed judgment upon
Nr. Greene, bad amendment. referred 10 above. aud
il Wa, adopted by the vote, Of four Democrats vh"
ontvotcd the three Republican Assemblymcn who were
| loyal the bill. Mr. Townc then said he neglected
| 10 vote because he was in a dilemma Today he
| Informed the Assembly that he had permitted the
adopiion Of the amendment bccausc had heard that
the annual fat had gone forth from the Executive
Chamber that the Ballot Reform bill would be- as
-a,,inaicdr Who told Mr. IOwnci Wa ms au-
tnority Governor IIill himself d" admit the sound
ness Of Mr. pccks and Mr.. Aokcr's arguments In op-
position 10 this amendment said Mr Iowne, "Dut
nevertheless, vote IN favor of Mr. PecN' motion
| to strike out the amendment. lie lhch W'uc '"S
| thoroughly Democratic argument:
Why should pass this bill. knowing 'h't S "D''9 "
We run against stone wall, and that Mr iiii Will veto
IT, We viii attempt to put Mr. HI IN hole ana ho
| viii put ~ deep down In the well.
The Democrats applaudcd Mr.. 1oWncs cuofy oi
| Mr. Iil and he sat down apparently satisfied That
after FIN, speech his bills would be approved by the
| Governor.
MIR Irdgcs Of Oacco showed a moment later
what every other Republican thought OF this proposal
81 Mr.. Townc that in response To Governor h'H'
demand the Republican Legislature slond pass shah
BALLOT Reform bill "Whcn you strike out the Official
| ballot said Mr.. bridges looking ut Mr. Io"nc, you
take ont tho heart OF this bill II would he worthless
without the official ballot and, certainly II the bill
| became a law with Mr.. Grecnc's amendment the ola
| d,rcputablc system Of unofficial ballots woud Dc
| continued
| vote was then taken upon Mr.. pcck's motion
| 10 strike ont Mr. Grccne's amendment and IL was
| adopted- ~ to 3D. All the votes in tho Affirmative
were cast by Republicans and all In the negative oy
| Democrats. Tho solitary Republican who ala not vote
| was Mr. Tovnc substantially. ho voted with tho
Democrats because majority OF votes was hccucd I'd
| strike ont the amendment that would have been
50 fatal to the bill. Mr. shcchan hcrcupon offered tc
sham Ealiot-iicform bill known as tho LinNoh DILL
| hut well known he Governor llIs own pro
duotion a. a substitute for senator raAtohs blh'
series Of speeches followed from Democrats In oppo-
| sition 10 the saxton bill. Tho main contention ot
all of them was that the provision for purely oiohi
ballot would di,ranchisc thousands of illtcnc voters
| Mr. Martin Of New ork who made the first speech
struck this keynote. lie pointed out tile mass OF
ulitcrae voters In the cities Of New York and Brook
| vu and argued that the ilcntc voters In Boston
had been dlsranchiscd by the new system oil voting
Allowing election officers 10 marx tl' naIoH "l
lterates he argued. would destroy tlo c'Hch'c oi
| the Australian ballots secrecy A. iol mo OK
p.0n of 10000 voters IN favor OF ballot kcioin
n1DLth lf