New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-20
ADOPT A VOTING MACHINE.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Ex-President Harrison said the day after the
election: If as a people. keep our ballot
boxes free from faint. nothing can happen to US
that will sink u.s." On the same day. Mr. Depew
said 1.-THE best-informed people both sides
estimate the fraudulent vote in the whole State at
about ZOO" AS the determination to have honest
elections is one of the great forces which have
placed In power the new Legislature undoubtedly
its first effort will be to throw about the ballo-box
additional safeguards, II it Is possible to do so by
statute to make It impossible to commit frauds
In elections anywhere in the State. believe IL
such bills passed that they will become laws.
Public sentiment will compel 1t.
/ quote these eminent men, because l believe
they voice the great underlying sentiment on this
subject which exists to-day among all honest and
decent American citizens And believe this ques-
ton of purifying the ballot-box Is one or the
greatest, il not the greatest, OF all subjects winch
confront us in this Nation to-day. 1t demands our
best thought and highest efforts. Mr. Depew
is certainly right in placing the matter first on
the calendar for our new LegsIiature ana nope
not single member OF that boy VIII at'emp.
ter. We have had quite enough OF TINS m tne past,
was expected They have derded the Republican
party for its ballot reform measures accused II
cratic Victories which Immediately followed the
adoption Of the new ballot Law. They said; Now
most utterly Ignoring the facts ana existing con-
ditions and Keeping deatn-sIip on the -, paSser-
makers on our SIDE and the responsibility must
In this communication have only one add
tona safeguard" to the baiot-boX to suggest
Iieve that the adoption OF this machine, some
other equally effective automatic meenanical de-
vice for the and accurate record and count.
Ing OF votes would prevent al least 10 per cent OF
the fraud and debauehery which now. disgrace our
This machine was a most attractive exhibit in
the Electricity Building at The Worlds Far, %heTe
was there continually surrounded by crowds Of
visitors. who eagerly watched 1t IN operation; NJ
readers, it having been used in various Town eiec-
tons in the western part OF the s'a ha Sr also been
before the Legislature In Aipany ssseIai .i ,,r
scrupulous politicians can have no possible use dCr LOT
it, It's absolute and incorrisble honesty anu as
not e9 aC%aa II ii Scr State the
by its use all fraud in the vote na an sao Of votes
Would cease at once because the secrecy OF the
is SO perfect that there Is no possible way ~
had delivered the goods as prSmdse ever f Ss
relied upon by the buyer. This fact alone
makes the machine worthy OF adoptlon nc i ,r
crate a and 1ot the pma sssance With repeating
is prevented. And In addition TO AZ inns ihe WHO'S
proeess q, G ETss with TWO minutes after the
poll closes the complete result may De real IN pam
10 scratched. marked or doubtful ballots IN fast
ballots at all are used No iiionSeys ,,o mia.
the returns, chance for contests no Question on az
TO who is elected. or course the reglstIatl,YI "
voters must be made previously, as now, anu ners
is the only chance left for fraud But why snail We
not adopt any device which absolutely prevents ths
greater part of the fraud? l..
You have frequently commended THIS machine IN
The Tribune In words like this: The Voting ma
chine has come to stay. because II deserves 70
stay" Has not the time come TO use IL now.
Who has objections 10 offer besides me men nave
namedp IL win save thousands, and In time milf
ions OF dollars the State in its conduct OF eec,
tons What is The Tribune's view OF the natter ei
write 10 call out Il free expression of public sent-
r,ent we should remember that all great reforms
ara due to the Republican party. -
Kingston, y. Y, Nov. 10. 1893. IL. HENDRICKS.