New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-20
AMENDING THE ELECTION Law.

The action taken by the new Republican
County Committee at It's i1st meeting las'
night, in placing the organization unequivo-
callv ON the side of a complete reform OF the
Election law, is one of which every loyal.
progressive member of the party may well feel
proud. As the Committee properly says, New
York Republicans have been the champions
Of the movement fer pure elections since It's
inception. and though the unsatisfactory sub
stitutcs that they have been compelled to ac-
ccpt from time 10 time in place OF what they
demanded tried their patience and made them
at times question the wisdom OF having given
any support to the reform, 1t Is gratifying TO
find that after careful consideration they are,
50 far as the action of their 700 representatives
in the Committee is an indication OF the gem
eral party sentiment, unanimously in favor OF
continuing the good work until 1t has been
properly finished.
1t has often been remarked that the Demo-
cratic party makes progress chieiiy ny sur
rendering is own convictions upon great pub
lie GrcStions and adopting those OF the kc-
publicans. The truth of the proposition is
newly attcsted by the proposed action OF the
Democratic majority at Albany on the Ballot
Democratic lawmallcrs) propose to provide for
blanket ballot. upon which will be printed
IN the same type as that now used the names
of The candidates of all the parties"
That is to say. after persStcntly fighting
the blanket ballot for three years, the De-
mocracy throws up the sponge and says ditto
10 the Republicans. Since 1890 the Ecpub-
lican members of tho Legislature have insisted
that tho blanket ballot was of the essence OF
genuine ballot reform. But Governor lliil
vetoed the bill of 1890 which the Republican
majority put through because, among other
reasons. it provided for a blanket ballot. In
so doing he was sustained by his party's repre-
scntativcs in the Senate and Assembly. Ever
since ;hcn DcmocIacy's attitude toward the
blanket ballot has been one of antagonists
Last year the friends OF the reform cndeavorcd
70 induce the Democratic Legislature to pro-
vide for it. But the Democratic bosses sad
no. and nothing was done. The fact that this
improvement is to be secured this year Is to
he REGARDED as indicating that it has occurred
70 Croker and the rest of those in command
at Albany that they really cannot longer afford
TO disregard public sentiment in reference TO
this matter. Every intelligent and candid
admits that it will not be satisfactory until
the blanket takes the place OF separate tickets
for each set of nominations. Hence the wide
spread, non partisan demand for the reform
which has been so long delayed by Democratic
obstructionistS.
The dispatches from Albany indicate that
the master is to be retained. But since that
is one of the pet devices Of the enemies OF "a
pure ballot-bcx its disappearance Is Only
question of time. 1t is, of course, idle to eX-
pcct that a Legislature which takes its orders
from Richard Croker and such as he will make
any concessions to reform which it can avoid
1t is going to conccde the blanket ballot be-
cause it has come to the conclusion that this
is now "good politics." But it will go no
further. The paster is to stay, and, according
to present appearances, blow is to be struck
at the voters in the interior by an unwarrant-
able extension of the personal registration re-
ouiremciIt to the rural districts. However
one must be thankful for any favors from
Albany this winter which arc in the public
TOTO