New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-21
FOR A BETTER BALLOT LAW.
SENATOR SAXTON WILL CONTINUE TO
FIGHT FOR THE BLANKET SYSTEM
WAY-GRAVE RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH THE
KEEIII.ICAN PATTY MET FACE

/ H.
wAY-GRAvE RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH THE
REPUBLICAN FATTY MUST FACE.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
Albany. Nov. 2O.-Charles r Saxton. the Re
publican Lieutenant Governor-eiect. intends to
use all his influence when the Legislature meets
to pass genuine Ballot Reform law For four
years now Ballot law bea ring his name which
was emasculated by David Il. Hill. has been
! masduerading as a Ballot Reform law" Mr..
Saxton accepted Mr. IIrs amendments II his
own bill, which was faithful copy in most re-
poets of the Australian secret ballot. solely he
cause ne could Lot obtain anything better from
that faithful representative Of Tammany Hall.
But he hoped in time to amend the law so as to
make II a satisfactory measure. and that time
has now arrived
Mr. SaXtOn became a member ~ the Ieg!sla
ture IA 1851. His first Ballot Reform bill was
vetoed by Governor Hill In 1855 Another veto
followed at the hands Of Nh Hi in 1889.
third followed. once more al the hands Of Mr..
Hin, March 81. 1890 Mr. Saxton's persistence,
however. had mad" an impression upon
Mr. Hill. and May . 1890 he signed the
saxton Ballot Reform law MI Hill in his
memorandum attached to The law said: 1t is
not claimed that it is perfect measure. II
must be conceded that fl contains many cum
brons and unnecessary provisions" These cum
brous and unnecessary provisions" il is perhaps
needless to state. Were those injected into the
law by Mr. Hill himself
Since the Ballot Reform law passed M
Saxton has vainly attempted 10 amend it - as
to conform ii to the Australian ballot system
His last attempt was made IN the present year
lie passed bill which permitted Of the use Of
individual pastors. Governor Flower insisted
upon the retention Of the bankc. paster and
in such hurry Ia veto the measure that
ne sent his veto message to the Legislature the
day before no received the bin
With Republican Governor and Legislature
the Lieutenant Governor-e'ect is confident that
true ballot reform law can be passed. He was
asked by The Tribune correspondent here yesier-
day to give his views upon the suggested ballot
reform legislation. In response Mir. Saxton gave
this interesting reply:
canno; say anything about ballot reform thai
have not said many times before There Is one thing
that Is certain: The Republican party; when IT
comes into power. mus; carry the pledges II has
made upon the subject. We have taken we.l-defned
positions when Democrat was in the Executive
chamber. and We cannot abandon them. now that
the Governor 10 be a Republican.
fairness and moderation We must not Try to put
anybody or any party in mole or seek to en-
II Vas mmc, broaGar ana iarpef taan t6atNa We
siierators The worls Republican" ana Demo
crat' have not the same significance thai they have
had in other days. We cannot coniure with them
once did. The people go deeper than he
name and are finding out what tn partics really
They taking decided neresi IN their own
affairs. and politicians have found out that at
leas, we must take them Into partnership.
Now the people want sooi fair ballot law; not
that VIII give especial advantage 10 TINS or
that party. but that viii give a decent and
honest election They want the question taken out
be.ongs The Republican Legislature and Kepub-
hcan Governor VIII. venture TO say. give the poo
viii not only fail in their duty. but "iI make
serious mistake from purely poitGa! standpoint
such an act We have plenty OF preccdents to guide
our sister States, many OF them haN- sue
ce-1ed I'm the matter. ana We can profit by their
experience
i think everybody Is agreed upon the BLANKET
,Se nresrnt ntpe sYst.m IN" bin We
ccpiion q one ErOvlson by Rspublissn. and Demo,
upon the question Of the paster The Demo.
paster" and the Republicans that no paster
should be used except ON" 10 contain the
name of "A single person whose name was not on
opposed the blanket paster." II f. not used In
any other STATE Except in innan9 ana thsre II Is
candidate not printed on the official ballot II II
be dispensed with elsewhere. II certainly can
here. and We all know II * the prolific source OF
/ hope the Legislature will also perfect the
the election franchise only work IN darkness ana
secrecy They cannot exist in the light Of pub.
We will soon get rid OF them. The party which Is
In the right is th' one that suffers from dir,
cleaner election in this Stat than tho one Just held
The Republican party succeeded h"caus" II De
- Az .w.y e. Tar no rnssihIe win ali Influences
that tend 20 prevent the ballot box from regstcr-
n1d ,H' a honfsi have fah That will BE- arre
at the coming session Of the Legislature