New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-16

server who has watched the operations OF the
statute in this city and State during tne years
that it has been in force who mas seen Vne
Wholesale use of pastors and the occasional re-
sort TO marked ballots who has seen voters
openly intercepted on their way to the poiiS
and induced to turn back home who has seen
the way in which. under the physical disability
proy,ion of the law electors, pleading lmagi-
nary ailments, are accompanied INTO the oooCnS
by their friends" the vote-buyers, ana VINO
has witnessed the various other means oy
which the purpose of the act is defeated musV
feel that the Governor in thus extolllng the
Legislatures work displays either an amusing
ignorance or an amazing effrontery as to the
actual workings of the law.
The point that has been reached, by legis-
latye means, in the effort to purify eiections
should be clearly understood. There Is not' III
this State at least. a law that actually prevents
bribery. in the sense that the Corrupt Prac-
tees act has substantially abolished the crime
in England. What has been accomplished thus
far as the practical results OF this reformatory
effort amounts to this: We have registra
ton law that prevents the importation OF
voters. and ballot law that enables a man
who wants to vote independently. but VINO
under the former law might have been IN
timdatod to prepare his ballot secretly ana
cast it for whom he pleases This thanks 10
David B. Hill and his Democratic allies Is all
the Legislature has been able TO do for the
cause of pure elections in the state OF New
York. We are not in the van OF the move
mont bv any means Several other States have
lcsislatcd more effectively, and one MasSa-
chusetts, has in force she very act the adoption
of which Governor Flower urges with com
mcndable earnestness.
This law is commonly known as the Corrupt
Practices act. New-York has statute bear
ing this title, and providing that candidates
shall under oath make public accounting OF
their election expenses but the workings OF II
have been simply farcical, as was illustrated
by the absurdly modest return that Mr.. Flower
himself handed in after his election for Gov
crnor Every politician in the state believes
that more money was used against Mr.. faSset
than has ever been spent in any other state
campaign, and also that Mr.. Flowers nomina-
ton was duo almost entirely TO the conviction
that he or his relatives would contribute an
,normous sum 10 the campaign. Nevertheless.
according TO Mr. Flowers statement, he really
,pcnt los than many man wastes on an I'M
,ucccssful effort 10 become an Assembyman.
The radical defect in our Corrupt Practices
act and one that makes this title misnomer.
is Is the Governor points out. that political
committees are not required to file certified
statements of their receipts and expenditures
TO extend the provisions of tho law so az u
make all the financial transactions of political
AGENTS and committees matters OF public record
would make the act worthy Of the name II
hears and if the amendments are wisely drawn
could not fall TO prove as beneficial here as 1t
has in Great Britain and Massachusetts.
The Governors second recommendation Is
that proof of bribery on the part OF candidates
or their agents or their committees shall be
sufficient cause for forfeiture Of office. This
law is also in successful operation in England
and justice requires tho acknowledgment thai
Mr.. I'LL repeatedly recommended its adoptien
though whether sincerely or not is an open
question. Properly administered" says the
Governor, such law might be complete
check on corruption" We agree with him but
will tho Legislature pass it? What says Mr..
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