New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-03
.vrvD1yG THE NET ELECTION Law.

sNFVDTNG THE NEU ELECTION Ian.
u i stated that an amendment to the new
Election law has been prepared when provinces
for y blanket ballot. On this ballot the names
If all candidates for each one OF the oilceS
which arc 10 be filled are to be arranged III
alphabetical order, while the politics OF the
candidates are 20 be shown in two ways
rloctors who can read will find after the name
of each candidate the name OF the part! 10
which he belongs: while those who are unable
TO read will be kept from voting Tor cahulud'cH
of the party to which they are opposed anu
guided to vote for the candidates OF inc parry
of their choice by means OF simple ehp'cih'
generally agreed upon in advance lhd'c"'ins
the parties which have placed tickets III me
field. Thus, the Republican party Will be IN
dicated by star. the Democratic party ny an
eagle the Prohibition party by as strhlhe
representation as can be printed upon ballo'
of glass containing pure and sparkling water
Could such ballot be adopted the labor OF
voting would he Simphied and the expense
for printing tickets greatly reduced. Electors
would not be rcquired-aS some OF them were
last November-to take dozen or more baIotS
with them into the votnC-boOthS One ballot
would be all that any voter would need ana
the names which he desired TO vote he would
mark with a cross. But although the most IN
telligcni and puhcS spirited men OF ho'h the
grea; parties admII that the new law, ny caiI-
ing for as many sets of ballots as there are
partieS. regular or irregular. in the held, I'M
poses TOO much labor upon the voters, sun y
is hardly probable that the Legislature OF 1871
will adopt the proposed amendment or any
amendment providing Tor blanket ballot.
For. as everybody knows who Is familiar with
the course of LEGISLATION on ballot reform IN
this state Governor Hill i radically set against
the blanket ballot. In his message vctong the
original Saxton bill of last winter he gave his
views in detail in opposition Oft. OF course he
NAV have seen hight since November /, but
that is hardly likely, aS he argued, among other
things, that blanket ballot was uncon>titu-
tional. some Of the other defects OF the new
law which have alIcaty been pointed out in
these columns will doubtless be cmcd by the
next Legislature Many Of the Boards OF
supervisors throughout the State decidedly on
iect 10 the greatly increased cost OF elections
and will use their influence at Albany in be
half Of amendments materially reducing such
expenses. The Board of Supervisors of Ei1c
has already taken the initiative. II has adept
ed resolution requesting the senators and
AsSemblymen who represent that county 10 en-
deavor to secure the passage of the following
amendments:
To repeal the provision for the blank ballot.
To require the printing and furnishing Of only twice
many ballots rs there are voters in any district.
To repeal the requirement that ballots be numbered
To repeal the requirement that names ~ candidate,
be published IN daily papers at the expense Of the
county.
To exempt village and town elections from tbe pro
visions Of the Registration and Ballot Reform acts.
10 repeal the provisions Of the Town act elcctlng
town officers at general elections.
To provide for the service Of only three inspectors
on registration days.
II is estimated that the adoption OF these
amendments would save EIie $4,000. II It
would save Eric that much, what would it save
the county Of Newly Ork? One or two Of the
proposed changes are of doubtful prOpricty, hut
the rest are sound and have public sentiment
behind them
Bat 50 long as Mr.. Hill is Governor il is use
less to hope for a blanket ballot. lis adoption
would tend to popuarizc ballot reform with
the masse>-such consideration as that how
ever, is not calculated 10 have any weight
with the present occupant Of the Executive
Chair. Reform is not in him