New-York tribune., 1891-12-23
FOR REAL BALLOT REFORM.
REPUBLICANS FAVOR RADICAL ACTION.
THE STATE COMMITTEES MEETING AT THE FIFTH
AyENEuE HoTEI-THosE PRESENT.

AVENEUE HOTEL-THoSE PRESENT.
large part of Yesterdays me- ting of the Re-
publican State Committee devoted to con-
sideration of the amendments to the Election
law which have been proposed by the Peope
Municipal League and accepted in part, il not
altogether by the Tammany leaders. More uime
was given TO this question than any other thao
came up before the committee, because the mem
bers, or a majority of them at least, felt thaS
it was unquestionably subject Of vital interest
to the party in this city and throughout inc
State.
The last two elections here have demonstrated
to the Republican leaders the fact that the
present Election law is sadly defective as piece
of reformatory legislation. Its defects are ~
rIarinr and its practical workings unsatisfac-
tory that an overwhelming feeling has oeeh
aroused in favor of either amending it properly
or abolishing 1t altogether. AS the hepuphcah
party, however, is pledged to th2 furtheiahce OF
the reform, the latter alternative Is not liKeFy 10
be adopted If there is any possible way oil per-
fectipg the existing statute. No halfway meas
ures, however, will be tolerated. that was
made clear by the discussion yesterday
As Senator Fassett put it: we waht ho
more compromises, such as we were lorceu +"
occept two wears ago. and which has proved to
us have the Australian system pure anu si'pi'
and he done with it,"
Mr. Fassett's sentiments are practically those
Of the party. AS is generally known he has been
n VIGOROUS advocate Of ballot reform. lie mas
cbamnioned the cause from the beginning, ana
because of his sympathy with it and his knowledge
on the subject the committee invited HIM 10 oe
present yesterday when Mr.. SchwaD ana
Mr. Delafield, Of the Peoples League ap-
peared. by invitation to explain ther ne"
Ballot Reform bill. The subject was discussed IN
executive session. All the gentlemen menuoheu'
Senator Hiscock, Mr.. Vrooman and numoer VI
other members also took part in it. The discussion
lasted nearly two hours and the result oil IL was
apparently satisfactory ell around; that Is 10 say
the League representatives ascertalned thaO 'he
Republican leaders join heartily with them IN .ne
work of securing perfect law, ouc aO 'nc
same time, they unalterably opposed 10 any
,binc los. than that. As the League processes to
seek this and nothing less than this' 'he ou'cone
~ the conference was all that could be desired.
II is hardly necessary to add on this point that
the discussion took wide range, almost every
nont Of the law, particularly it's practical work
inos being touched upon in a critical way. Both
30 tho leagues representatives realized that they
were talking 10 an extremely practical body oi
politicians
The meeting was held as usual in Parlor ID. H. OF
the Fifth Avenue Hotel Chairman Brookneia
presided There remarkably gooo at
tendarce for winter meeting lhe members
ord nroxies nresent we're Ist District, Stephen
r williams: lid, Israel F. Fisher Hid, Charles
r. Dunwell; WITH, d. NJ Hurley; Vth, +: b.
Schulz. proxy for Francis F. Williams 'lth'
William il. Corsa; With, Lucas L. Van Alien
With. John Collins; IXth, John X. Nugen''
| Lth. William n. Hoag Alth, Clarence W. Meaue
| XIIth. William Brookield Xlllth, FRANK nay
mond; XIvth, James w. Hustled; AFth, d. D.
| Odell: XvIth, Louis F. Payn AVIlth.
7. r Gleason, proxy for James Ballan-
tine: XVIIIth, John A. Quackenpush'
| yIXth. William Barnes, jr, proxy for George
Campb.ll: XXth, John Kellogg Mist r. f.
Kilburn: XXIId. Richard Marcy proxy for Isaac
+, Hunt: XXIIId, H. J. Donaldson, proxy Tor
Charles A. Chickering; XXIVth, Hobart hrum;
yyVth John S. Kenyon proxy for Francis Hen
bricks: XXVIth, C. A. Burr, proxy for George W.
Dunn: XXvIIth, John H. Camp; KAVlllth, D. T..
Milholland proxy for John w. Dwight; AAlACn'
! F. Parkhurst: XXXth, George G. Buell. proxy
for Georee w Aldrdge; XXXlst. James W. Wads-
worth; XXXlId, John ~ Scatcherd; AAAllln'
A. ]. Porter; XXXIvth, w. j. Glenn; the Rev.
Dr William B. Derrick was absent and failed
20 send proxy.
After the roll-call, the chairman explained
the objects of the meeting. Chief among these
WAS to consider plans for the great campaign neN'
year The necessity of opening a permanent heau-
quarters in this city at once was agreeo
npon. and the Executive Committee, to whom the
question was referred, will see about securing
one at once .
Secretary Kenyon announced that fosVii'''et
Van Cott had offered his resignation as member OF
tIot Tho
as Mr. Van Cott desired that ex-Assemblyman
Trcos T Van Allen should be shOsen in his
nlace This was done by unanimous vote of the
oomrittea The resignation of Mr.. Ellis repre-
sentative OF the XXth District was also read
Jobn Kellogg was chosen to fill the place. The
chairman announced that Senator liscock Mr..
Fassctt and Mr. Vrooman were in the hotel.
motion was carried inviting them to come in and
| address the committee. All three accepted the
invitation. Senator Eiscocks remarks were Drief
and effective lie took hopeful view OF the
political situation and inc praceal antyoI
Nr. Vrooman followed in few wel-chosen
words One point that he dwelt upon was the
advsabty of having the state SoIttcG disfrict nrr
up of one member from each Assembly distrGt
With an Executive Committee consisting OF TWO
members from each Judicial district, ana sug-
gestcd that the commlttes should noo Of awngs
here i'm New-York City. lie reminder the com
mittee that in 1882 the Democrats, carried the
state by 1921 900 while in the following year.
the Republican State ticket was elected. a.,
Mr. Fassett confined himself to discussing IN,
proposed election law with MesSrs. SchwaD ana
| Delafeld AS result OF this discussion o com
mittee was appointed to confer with th' League
and the Democratic leaders regarding the measuI''
This committee consists Of General Hustled ASSN
blvman Hoag and State Senator Don"ids)n
After the committee adjourned the exec
ntive committee went into secret session.
This meeting occupied a half hour or more.
Among other things II was declded 10
appoint a committee TO prepare an address -
the people Of the State the recent Efforts OF l
10 capture the Senate. committee was app2lnted
10 do this. consisting OF Chairman Brookhed; j.
F.. Milh6land and ex-Assemblyman Van Auen;
The committee adjourned subject TO the call OF
the chairman and il is probable mar
another meeting will be held right