New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-04
FOR GENUINE BALLOT REFORM
PROVISIONS OF THE PROPOSED LAws-TIE MASS
ACHUSETTs SYSTEM ADOPTED.

conference was held at the City Club last night
OF representatives. of organizations wnich are in
teresteI in the passage of genuine ballot reform
measure \ similar meeting took place at the same
place November %. when Subcommittee was
appointed to draft bill An official ballot on the
Massachusetts, plan was submitted. II met with
general favor number OF minor changes were
suggested. These will be pas 'ed upon by the sew
eral organizations and Will probably be- adopted
Some Of those present were T. b. IIlnsiae from
thu Union League Club; 4. \. Healy. Of the Re
form Club James p. Archblld Of the Central
Labor Union: Mortimer &. Addoms. OF the Repub-
lican Club; Gustav IL. Schwlb. Of the German
American I'nion and James g. Carter. Of the CITY
club
The conference lasted until 1876 o'clock. when the
following statement OF the recorms proposed was
given out
The proposed legislation consists OF amendments
to the Election law the New-York city Consolida-
tlon act the Town law and the act relating to the
election of School Commissioners large number
of the sections OF the Election law amended in
various particulars. I'm instances only by n
word or two. In others to a larger extent. a pro-
vision IA made for the equal division between the
two political parties OF the four inspectors Of cleo
ton. The act provides for blanket ballot with
the names Of the candidates arranged In aiphab ,cal
order under each office, each name 20 be followed
by the political designation OF the party TO which
the candidate belongs and a party emblem, or
symbol. The voter must indicate his choice by
placing mark or cross after the name OF each
candidate for whom he wishes 70 vote. except in
the case OF Presidential Electors. The names Of
these arranged in party groups upon the ballot.
and the voter can check entire group with Il
single cross placed In space designated for the
purpose the right OF the group or he may vote
for each Eector separately by checking each name.
The alphabetical arrangement Of the ballot is that
embodied In the laws Of Massachusetts and thirteen
other States. except that In addition TO the politics
being designated after each name 4 symbol is used.
This use Of a symbol is made compulsory by the
law the authorities in charge Of printing the bal
lots supplying II wnen the nominating bodies 10 not
furnish &C. FOR the that II II be universal
upon the ballot illiterate voter would be- given
an excuse for demanding aid IN the preparation Of
his ballot. "a n further aid 10 the voter the names
OF all candidates. save Presidential Electors. are
numbered in regular order as they stand on the
ballot
Directions are printed the top OF the ballot to
the voter with regard TO the marking OF the ballot.
Provision Is made In the act Tor the printing OF 4
separate ballot for CONSTITUTE ,nal amendments or
any other proposition question: and these ballots
are 70 comply with the requirements for official bal
lots Tor candidates IN SO far such Tequlr" ents
applicable. Opposite the question or proposition
be submitted viii Dt print 1 two squares one
the crOssuark 10 b." made IN the ~ es' or SO
square. the case may De.
sample ballots are % be- provided AZ each polling
place equal in number 20 the number OF Official bal
color These sample ballots can be used by voters,
ltcrate or otherwise. 20 guide them Ia voting.