The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-10-02
Summary Revlew-One Protection
for the Ballot.

for the Ballot.
The New York World prints an ar
ticle this morningssetting forth the
preparations that are being made by
the Davis Ring to repeat the frauds
OF the last two campaigns in the com.
ing election. Davis and his right and
left bower, Mike O'Mara and Tom
Trotter, we are told, are studying
the Ballot Reform" law to find out
how it can be beaten. Orders have
been given also to the TRUSTEES in the
tough election precincts to prepare
the registration lists for fraudulent
purposes by entering wholly fictitious
names upon them, or by enrolling as
voters the names of aliens, who live
In considerable numbers in some of
the down town precincts. Here is
what the World says
The Ring relies on the skill of its workmen in
circumventing the new election law. 1t has had
its experts operating the boxes under the new
law, and reports are heard on the street about
what they intend to do.
1t is feared that the registry will he stuffed in
the house to house canvass provided for under
the new law. Attention is called to the fact
that there are a great many foreigners in the
tenement districts, and their rames will get on
the list through the connivance of Republican
election officers. 1t is claimed that Re
publican election officers will be in
duced to appear at the polls SO late
that the Democrats will have q chance to put
Ring men in their places. 1t is claimed that q
modification of the Tasmanian dodge has been
discovered. by which the brlbee will receive an
envelope and bring back to the briber the Off
cial envelope as evidence either that he has not
voted or that he has voted the ticket given by
the worker.
All these schemes may be worked, but they
will be OF no avail. The only plan that the ring
experts can adopt is the old one of ballot box
stuffing. If they cannot work that scheme sue
cessfully they will be defeated by the aroused
and indignant Democrats.
We have not the slightest doubt
that the feasibility of carrying the
polls for Mr.. Davis poodle Sheriff by
fraud has been eagerly canvassed, and
we dare say desperate chances would
be taken if there were The slightest
chance OF success. But, bad as it is,
the patent Ballot Reform Law pro-
vides o method by which these iniqui-
tous efforts may be rendered nuga-
tory. We print on u first
page today Section SO of the
statute. 1t provides for the summary
examination of the circumstances of
the election in any precinct, and for
the setting aside Of the returns if the
probability of fraud is discovered. 1t
win pay Messrs. Davis, O'Mara
and Trotter to study this clause care
fully, and then consider whether an
elaborate scheme of ballot box stufing
will pay for the trouble.
In our Judgment, the house to
house registration is dangerous, and
the Republican workers will want to
scan the list carefully in the fraud
precincts. The law affords them
ample opportunity to do so. But
this clause providing for summary re-
view by the courts is the saving clause
Of the whole bill. We have every
confidence that it will suffice t.
euchre the combinations of the little
Joker Boss and his right and left
bowers.
Hobokcn's Honor. Jersey City's Dis
grace.
Hoboken was jubilant last evenins
the opening of her free Publia
Library. 1t win be a great source b
benefit to her people, and viii speed