New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-22
TIE BALLOT LAWS--AN URGENT DUTY.

TIE BALLOT Id US-AN CRGENI DCII'
The election laws which went into effect in
1890 were cOncededly a substantial improve
ment upon those which they superseded. They
placed a wholesome check upon bribery and
corruption at the polls, and they discouraged, If
they did not abolish, the levying of extortlonate
assessments upon candidates. The most I'M
portant Of these laws were the Ballot-Reform
act, so called, and the act relating to registra-
ton in the cities and in the country and, al
though they accomplished good results, they
were seen, when put in practice, to be defective
in certain particulars. Accordingly, the Legs
lature of 1891 strengthened them by adopting
the amendments-not all but most of them
which the election Of 1890 under the new Sys-
TEN had shown to be necessary. The number
of days for registration in the country districts
was reduced the number of signatures required
to make Independent nominations was in
creased the blank ballot was abolished, the
grand aggregate of ballots to be printed was
cut down, a provision was inserted regulating
the disposition of marked ballots. These were
the most important of the amendments made
last year.
The Legislature of 1892 still further revised
from Albany which is printed on another page,
attention is directed to one of these latest
changes We believe it will be the general
opinion that it is a mistake. 1t will lead 10
the multiplication of candidates without a fol-
lowing and the consequent multiplication Of
useless tickets in the hands Of the voter. Ample
provision had been made in the law as it was
originally passed for the presentation of can
didateS so that the excuse which the Beard OF
Statutory Revision offer. that they made the
alteration upon which our correspondent com
ments so As not to prevent the creation of new
political parties, is without point.
A few weeks ago The TRIBUNE took occa-
sion to urge upon Republican leaders through
out the State the importance of familiarizing
the rank and file of the party with the method
of voting under the new law. The Vermont
and Maine elections emphasize this advice.
since in both States not few votes were lost
to the Republican ticket simply because those
who ought to have cast them were not quite
sure just how to proceed SO it was in this state
in 1S9091. The county and town committees
should take instant and vigorous steps 10 make
sure that no votes are lost this year in New
York which the Presidential ticket has right
to expect for want of instructions to the voters.
This is matter Of very great importance. and
it must receive the attention it deserves forth
with We renew and urge again our sug
gestion that school of ballot reform be cStab-
lished in every school district. Every elcctor
should know just what he has to do before
going to the polls.
Another point The Election Code as it was
passed last winter amends the laws in many
particulars. Inspectors Of election watchers
poll clerks and all other election officials ought
to make sure before proceeding to the discharge
of their duties, that they fully understand the
precise nature and significance Of the modica
tons made by the Code. And they ought 10
set about acquiring full and precise knowledge
at once. The course of events in this State
during the year admonishes Republicans that
they cannot afford to take any chances with
the balot-box.