The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-24
wanted-An American Ballot Law.

The Constitution OF tho United States pro.
vides that all persons born or naturalized
In this country and subject to its jurisdic-
tlon are citizens Of the United States and OF
the State wherein they reside. No State
shall make or enforce. declares the Consti-
tuition further. "any law which shall abridge
the privileges or immunities Of citizens OF
tho United States" The Constitution OF
this State provides that every male citizen
OF tho age Of 81 who shall have been citl-
sen for ten days and an inhabitant Of this
State. county, and district for the requisite
period preceding an election. shall be en-
titled to vote at such election "for all off,
GERS that arc now or hereafter may be cleo
tive by tho people,"
Yet q few cranls. ignorant. as It would
appear, Of the nature OF the fundamental
law OF tho land and Of the organic law Of tho
State. were able to force through Republl-
can Legislature the following new-fangled
conditions Of suffrage which 1t Is the duty
Of tho present Legislature. representing
the majority Of voters. promptly to repeal
]. Tho vote OF no citizen can be counted
unless his ballot shall havo n number on
the back corresponding with tho dcsigna-
ton Of the election district where offered;
and In the absence Of tho correct ENDORSE
ment on ticket. whether no had knowl-
edge of the fact or otherwise. he Is disfran-
Chised. There nrc 5000 election districts In
this State and 100000 voters.
III. Tho only ticket which legally can DO
voted Is ono prepared and distributed by
individuals appointed by the State.
Ill. Tho right of an elcctor to vote for
wh0msocver he may wish. for any Office to
be filled. ceased with tho adoption OF tho
existing law limiting the names printed
on ticket to those OF persons asserting to
their candidature. II you wish to vote for
another person. you must write the name
of,your candidate, or have it prepared for
you on 4 gummed paster. and it will be
counted. unless your whole ticket Ia thrown
6ut ms defective.
'H1 ". Your vote docs not count II tho ticket
handed you is printed on cream or pink
white paper Ut must be on plain white). or
II the stub" is missing (the stub must be
attached. or II NIL the printing on tho ticket
be in other type than brewer lower case. or
any word or letter is In different type than
brewer lower case. or II any printers quad.
irregular or broken letter or punctuation
mark appear In the opinion Of tho election
officers, to identify, or to be likely to be
employed to identify. the ticket.
Under the present system it is. accord
ingly. much easier to cast your ballot than
to have. 1t counted. the right to suffrage be-
ing no longer dependent upon the good
faith and qualifications Of the elector. but
upon the good faith and qualifications OF
County Clerks and their aids and employees;
boss printers, their foremen. pressmen,
competitors. proof readers. and Office
"devils": expressmen and messengers who
transport the bundles OF tickets: paper
manufacturers. type founders. folders (who
must not be color blind. and finally election
Officers. The elector who successfully runs
the gamut Of all these can have his vote
counted Otherwise he cannot. It may BIO.
1t may not be. 1t depends good deal upon
the Inspectors.
Wanted: An American ballot law In New
York State for 1892.