New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-17
HUDSON COUNTY,
JERSEY CITY.
NEED OF REFORM IN THE HANDLING OF
ELECTION RETURNS.
A SUNSET LAW ADVOCATED-THE JOHN kNoA
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN FlNAN-
,1AT. TROUBLE.

A SUNSET LAW ADNOCATED-THE JOHN h->'->
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN FINAN-
GAL TROUBLE.
There is a general cry from politicians Of both
parties in Jersey City for reform that seems 10
be needed and that is in the securing OF early ana
accurate returns of the election owing TO the
,nuddle made by the election officers it was not I'M
iii Tuesday last that the people Of Hudson County
knew positively who elected or what maJorities
the successful candidates received. TINS was NOT
altogether the fault of the election ohlcers though
of course they have to take the bame Tor H. lhese
officers were more than ordinarily intelligent ana
were equally divided politically under the direction
OF the Republican Aldermen Of Jersey city so far
as that city was concerned, and yet 1t was just
ahere that most of the trouble occurred
one Of the difficulties was that the ticket was
unusually long. each ballot containing the name OF
eleven Assemblymen instead of one as usual! Then
some OF the precincts which had been rearranged'
contained MANY voters in excess of the estimate.
Then the election blanks were not properly made
out They were furnished by the secretary OF state
who, Of course only took cognizance OF the state
officers congressman and Assemblymen to be
chosen. No county officers were named, and as
there were no city officers to be chosen the City
Clerks took no action The county officers seem 10
have discharged their duty when they furnished the
official ballots and envelopes Election officers who
had served before knew what TO do. but the new
men simply filed in the blanks furnished them
and let the rest 30.
All this will probably be remedied befo'e another
election but the number of me ballot
cannot be controlled Many persons VINO are inter-
ested in securing early returns casting about for
q means OF remedyine this trouble, but the best
plan yet suggested see 10 lie in sunset law.
The polls in New-Jersey do not close until p. m.
and it is held apparently with good reason thaI
this late. They point to the great city OF New
York. where the polls close at p. m. and where
larger vote is poed than in all the cities or New
Jersey and yet there the result of an election j.
known before the New-Jersey polls have closed. \
sunset" law would enable the overw orked election
officers TO get through with their duties before they
become so tired that they can't keep their eyes
open" and the result would be definitely known be-
fore midnight.
Democrats as we'll as Republicans. are in favor
of the PLAN and there is no reason why the Repub-
lean Legislature should not pass such law. New
Jersey had such law a score OF years ago, and the
Democrats. who opposed its passage on the ground
that il would deprive the workngman OF his vote.
theirs being the workngman's party as they
claimed. rolled up under the sunset law n bigger
vote than they had polled in years before POSSIBLY
the workingman took day or but the result ne re-
bad the power despite the protest OF the better ee
ment OF the party. Now that sensible men on an
is reason why it should not be re-enacted and
repetition of the dissraceful exhibition OF last week
The John Knox Presbyterian Church Of Jersey
communities that are in financial straits. The
congregation finds itself indebted TO the pastor
airy account, which il is unable to pay Mr.. Hous-
ton proposes to adjust the matter by resignng.
Unfortunately. he accompanied his resignation
with the advice that the congregation should Sc
cure the services of a cheaper man. This gave OF.
fence to some members of the congregation. VINO
think that instead IL would be better to get the
services of d higher-priced man and try 10 ouId
The church up The John Knox Presbyterian
Church has a peculiar history. Mr.. Houston who
was formerly evangelist. visited Jersey OIty
about four years ago to assist the fseN. ~.
Mitchell pastor of the scotch Presbyterian ChurGn;
The late Alexander Mckenzie took a fancy 10 MN
and built the John Knox Church for him at Grand,
ST and Nannng-ave. Mr. Mckenzie contributed
~ oh lifetime,
and his death was a sad blow 10 many churches
and chart able institutions in Jersey city.