The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-27
WHAT AN ELECTION COSTS.
NEARLY TWO DOLLARS FOR EVERY
VOTE CAST IN NEW YORK CITY
In Round Numbers, s4So.oOO ~ Paid for
Wages, Rent Of Polling Places, Printing OF
ballots and Forms, Adve rti-ing, Peas, PEN
ellis, Ink, Mucilnge, Red Tape, and Paper.

Wages, Rent OF Polling Places, Printing OF
| Ballots and Forms, Adve rtising, Peas, Pen.
ellis. Ink, Mucilage, Red Tape, and Paper.
Last years election cost the people OF New
York city $46i.743. This years election is GO
ing to cost s439.300. This is saving Of $780,
600. Prior to the adoption Of the new-fangled
ballot law. tho cost OF an election In New York
never exceeded $25O.OOO or the sum appro-
priated for this years contest, S206.SOO Is for
| the pay OF election inspectors poll clerks. and
| ballot clerks: $108.000 for tho rent OF polling
| places and their fitting up. the con-
| struction Of voting booths and ballot boxes.
and their removal. and for maps. station
cry. and printing: $4,000 for advertising
the polling places in the newspapers. SLID
! for advertising the nominations In the news
papers. $1,000 for tho pay OF the Chief OF the
Bureau Of Election. his chief clerk and the
clerks OF the county canvasscs. $1,000 for con-
tingences Including 500 for refreshments at
Police Headquarters on election night. and
100000 for tho printing OF official ballots.
| Last year this Inst item came to $4,000.
| Eleven million tickets were then needed. but
| but 100000 tickets. from present appear
ances. will be required ths year. but the total
may run in excess Of that and the appropria-
ton has been made In excess Of the amount
likely to be needed.
There are 1877 election districts this yoar.
and in each one there will be four election in
spectors who serve FIVE days and get $50 each.
and get $12 ench. and two ballot clerks who
x be @ Gs viii ss sS
elusive Of the members Of the police force; to
conduct the election and to see that b Whether a. t
largest vote does at all events;
Undor the old system Of voting the internal
Pile and comparatively CHEAP; Under the new
U se asds he
ture needed In each polling place. So for the
e sa9 EACH nHbnF eafn
polling pfiacs Ind to be- built in the street. $50
tor as
not neglected. The casting OF q single ballot
paper voSS into 'as RRSeas BOX ONE WITH
glass front. would seem to be an exceed.
a.ss ap 81 SN at Oh
given day involves no end Of clerical labor.
M5en f. 6nk hw % oaa wr han
got to do before the result Of the, voting is
finally ascertained you. become almost ap-
ment IS 9os s1. for this years ELECTION: Iiye
holders. 10, to5 pieces 'blotting paper. $500
anS ssy s ssSh and
around, to catch all the flies which a dozen
sugar trusts could not attract or q Thousand
be ASHAMED Of Besides this there viii be ere re-.
the Peoples Municipal league s't may nsst
upon adding to the Supply, 900 pieces Of red
FAMED sts n oa
names without breaking. 1OO;O00 bound books
San sseSG o bs oGo pen
ana q anothsE findS 1880 pens for ths in:
books. 7,o3S pay roll blanks. 1000 certificates
notifications to, others Of election 1000
printed ed leases 3S9 copies Of the G9mptrsI6
ssks 81 ssals %aI G61 peed rudes
that the voters may not In their excitement,
them to the impoverishmcnt Of the city.
The work OF preparing. for an election may
spectors are not usually. paid until the last
week In December. and before tho end Of the
Eotops MusaS street G snf have
started upon the labors Of another year. The
S %Sk It fss aa Asksst t. ~ e.. s a ta
IN shape, Then begins the work q receiving
s ana Spsaak the Of Ds enc arne o se
be 1RHSHsd tes ns"H5 c! HPp sGses
cants are disqualified. many others are incom-
until tne HOntn OF OcCODer are tne llStS OF cleo |
ton officers completed. the places for polling
liked and the arrangements for their use de-
cided upon. Then begins the work Of registry, |
which lasts four days. and the result Of which |
has to be reported on the night Of each to the |
precinct station. and thence to Headquarters.
This done, the names Of all the registered |
voters. divided according to election districts.
with the residence Of each given. must DO pub |
lished. and Just three days are allotted to the |
task-the setting up of q quarter Of q million
proper names, the proof reading. and revision. |
Then comes the matter Of voting and the can |
wasting OF the ballots. the report Of the result
OF the canvass and the final printing.
Judged from the sentimental side, the hold |
ing of an election in New York is an exercise |
Of 1.-THE highest prerogatiye Of citizenship. The |
has been likened by the poet to the falling Of
snow flakes. But. judged from its mechanical |
side. voting In New York involves liberal use |
OF red tape. muciage, pens. string tied pencils.
blotting paper. sealing wax. and cheap en- |
velopes. And It costs O lot of money. too
enough. indeed. to give every man who voted |
use. or sufficient to buy a matinee ticket for |
his wife. or four pounds OF caramels for his |
daughter or best girl. as the case may DO, or |
THE WEEKLY Sun until after Democratic |
President is elected in 1892. or to see three |
games OF baseball land the New Yorks prob |
ably lose two of theml or to bet dollar on his |
favorite and have seventy five cents owe for |
beer. Whiskey. carfare or cigars. |