New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-05
FJOVER IND BALLOT Reform.


II is generally conceded by intelligent men
that ballot reform, the revision and perfection
of the new law which was placed upon the
statute books two years ago, will be the lead
ing subject OF legislation at Albany next winter.
It becomes of paramount importance, therefore,
to inquire how the two candidates for Gov
ernor stand on ballot reform. His career in the
Senate answers the question for Mr.. Fassett, and
answers it in manner that Is satisfactory to
all voters who desire to see our elections hon.
estly conducted He has been an earnest cham
pion OF the reform in its fulness ever since
the bill was first presented improving our cleo
ton machinery so as to make it conform In lts
more important features to what is commonly
known as the Australian system. He has
steadily resisted all of Governor Hills efforts to
defeat the reform. No lawmaker made more
resolute fight than Senator Fassett to secure the
massage of the Saxton bill as it was originally
drafted; none more stoutly protested against
emasculating it in order to make it conform to
the Governors views-the views of an un-
scrupulous political boss.
That is Mr.. Fassett's record on ballot reform.
How about Mr.. Flower? Could he, like Mr.
Fassett, or could he not, be depended upon IN
case of his election to further the great ana
good cause? If a Republican Legislature passed
bill next winter strengthening the existing
law where experience has shown it sorely needs
strengthening, would he sign or veto it? For
h,nately for the eectors-but not for himself
MIR. Flower has explained his position on bal
LOFT reform. A reporter Of 1.-The Evening Post, 4"
Of this city. has been interviewing the Demo-
cratic candidate for Governor. Here is what
came Of it. We quote from 1.-THE Post':
When the reporter asked Mr. Flower for his opinion
on the question In point ballot refor1n) ne promptly
4 am for the PLATFORM
"YOu have nothing further to say than that y2n n
views on electoral reform are fully set forth In the
platform adopted by the Saratoga Conventions" sug-
No. Sir was the response. al stand by the plat
FORM"
These utterances of Mr.. Flower must settle
his fate with ballot reformers. For he writes
himself down as a ballot reformer of the Hill
school; that is to say, he believes in striving
how not to do it. The Democratic platform
which Mr.. Flower says he stands by pronounces
against the blanket ballot But all who are
recognized as most intelligently devoted to bal
lot reform agree that without the blanket bal
lot adequate ballot reform is an impossibiity.
Mr.. Flower is against the blanket ballot Stand
ing by inc platIorh vi inc cohFeh,ioh "nr0n
nominated him he is compelled to be against
it. Tammany nominated him and Tammany is
violently opposed to the blanket ballot because
it tends to keep the polls free from fraud and
trickery. Flower takes his stand with Tam
many and its VIGOROUSLY corrupt election
methods against the friends of an honest ballot.
What do the Independent voters of the State
say to this? What do the labor organizations,
which have made such resolute fight for thor
ough-going ballot reform, say to it? What do
public spirited Democrats say to it? What does
any citizen say to it who desires the election of
Governor who will advance the public well
fare