New-York tribune., 1895-08-24
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
THE BETTER CONDUCT CT PRIMARIES
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IN REGARD TO ThS"-
MORE RIGID ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS
To RE LOOKED FOR


To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Almost annually the people. through tneir r.p
reseutatives In the Legislature. make demahus 'o
the enactment OF laws which will the better pro's-'
the greatest OF all the privileges OF free ana na.
pendent people-the right Of franchise In ",'' Us,
state after many determined efforts We have nhai''
obtained a blanket ballot. Experiments were re.
Gently made with the Myers machine for the rap,'
and accurate counting OF the ballots. Annually
Election laws are compiled and published In pam
phlets which are distributed gratuitously especa'S
among election officers. These laws are a'nos'
made generally known 10 all the people IN s"o
persistent attempts are made to throw every SAFE
guard around the franchise for the purpose
OF preventing fraudulent registration and VOTING oh
Election Day.
1t is however. surprising that only feeble spas
modic and irregular attempts are made 10 upioo'
great. II not greater evil than the perpe'iauon
OF frauds Election Day. viz, dishonest primary
elections Defective party organizations and corrupt
governmental affairs in this country may oe
ascribed. to great extent. directly or indrecuS' !"
the apathy OF honest and intelligent citizens III re-
gard TO attending the primaries, or 10 dishonc''
politicians indulging in fraudulent practices al ,ne
same Some politicians seem 10 be entirely ooi'l
Of the important fact that there are laws IN tnis
State which govern primary elections.
Apropos OF the discussion regarding the ENFORCE
ment OF the laws by the Police Department OF this
city II may be amiss for 10 state upon good
at the coming Republican primaries and conventions
in this city. The newspapers viii perform great
public service by publishing extracts OF those
who.es laws. For the sake of the poor. olnd
political tools OF despotic and interruptions pohtci
bosses the press shoud make them acquainted with
the Jaws. that they may violate them ana
run the risk OF obtaining jobs in the State Prison
The laws OF this State give legal force and eHect 10
the rules, regulations or provisions OF the cohstu
ton OF political party not inconsistent WIN the
laws OF the State
Section OF the constitution Of the Republican
party OF this city among other things. mat
each election district association shall be entitled
to one delegate to Assembly District convention
and associations containing more than twenty men,
bers shall be entitled additional delegate TOT
each additional twenty members" There is not
SHADOW or doubt that In many electl9n
the number OF delegates to an Assembly District
convention is unlawfuiiy increased by certain poll
tlcdns VINO solicit ana obtain Ianmanyltes ~ ~
roll their names Republicans and cOnnive Al tnelr
voting at such Republican primaries This conc.u-
sion IS irresistible from the fact that the number OF
RepIb.ican votes cast in some election districts on
! do not desire to dwell. at present upon other
fraudulent practices resored at primaries by So
esi;y engaged in political affairs will insis, upon
the observance of the following laws the number Of
very much minlmized.
Ar e;ector NAV challenge any persons right 70
sWo-n by the chairman OF a primary touching ms
qualifications as voter The taking OF ms rs oatn ,I
looks upon with soemnity and, II 1t Is false. pun
ishes with severity.
TIE Laws OF 1895 Chapter III provide that: Any
person who votes or attempts to vote al poIucal
caucus convention without being entitled 20 do
So or fraudu.enty and wrongfu,iy does any act
tending affect the result Of Lection al SUCH
meanor. punishable by imprisonment for not more
thar year
TIE Laws OF 1898 Chapter 80. among other things.
provide as follows: IF the rules and regulations OF
the political organizat ton calling IL require. IL
il shall he by a vote OF the electors present re-
solved or II II be in a city village having
popnation OF over 5000 according to the then last
preceding Fedora State enumeration. and five
qua flied Of the district where II is held be
longing to the political party calling IT, shall serve
upon the secretary or chairman OF the general
sommittee OF the party or its organization IN such
city or village. upon the chairman Of the dis
trct committee written demand stating that they
50 require II. the foOwing additional requirements,
such OF them as may be specified In such demand.
shall be compiled with.
81, The chairman and other officers shall take the
constitutional oath OF office.
20. Candidates and delegates and officers OF the
organization committee shall be chosen by ballot.
%. The meeting shall be held open not less than
hour for voting thereat
- The tellers shall keep pol-st Of the name me
secretary in the canvass OF the votes
- An eiector shall he appointed watcher for ca III
candidate set of candidates or delegate request
ing the same etc. SOL OPPENHElMER.
NewYork. Aug. u. 1895.