New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-16
SpERIOES H1LLOT REFORM.

II IS satisfactory 10 note the unanimity with
which the Raincs Ballot Reform bill in It's pres
cnt form IS condemned by those who have duly
considered tho essential conditions OF an honest
vote and are sincerely DESTROYS to secure them.
Some Of these persons, we think. 90 too far IN
,lcnouncing the Raincs bill as altogether ob1cc-
,onahlc AMI fit only to he killed but II certainly
ought not TO be passed until it has been amended
in one vital particular. LieutcnantNroyerhor
Saxton. who has been a s'cadflst advocate or
ballot reform. expresses n preference for the
alphabetical arrangement OF candidates names
under the titles Of the offices for which they are
running instead of The plriy-colllnn system pro-
uoscd in the Raincs bill But Mr.. SaXton Sensl-
blv acknowledges that general sentiment does
not sustain him on this point AMI that adherence
10 either view Of the matter is not test OF hdel-
itv 10 the principle So far n III" mere methoi
Of discrimination between parties is concerned
the friends of ballot reform can properly agree
to disagree until experience has concluSivcly
shown who is right.
Hut there IS IN" provision in the Raincs bill
which will inevitably operate 10 defeat III" oS'en-
siblc object II tn measure. This Is III" pro
vision authorizing m itcra'c voter 10 take any
one whom he selects for the purpos" Into the
booth Ia assist him in the preparation OF his bil
lo.. We have repeatedly pointed ont the nature
and effect II this concession hut inasmuch aS
rho hill is 10 com" MP for passage In the Senate
today II seem, desirable ~ We fear II is neccs.
sorv. 20 warn Republicans against It. II for con
.tr,u,inuol or other reasons special tenderness
INNS, no shown fo Illltcratc citizens. who largely
constitute the dangerous and worthless elements
~ tho nomination. II certainly il not incumbent
am ,h, I.cisl1iurc To- create ont ~ their dcplor'
,bl. deficiencies a large opportunity for election
svlndlors THIS feature ~ the Raincs bill *
llrn,, and SPACIOUS opening Z, fraud. That all
,h Advocates ~ the bin favor II on this account
49,, do not charge or believe; but that II has been
s,,,dilv and a,lroltly pushed along 10y influences
pr,ce,,lins from m.n who want TO b" ahl" 10
..o,l elections We have not p1rtici" oi d"u"''
I. i. so prrfo,,lv adapted 10 suit their purposes
th,, TN, evidence ~ design seems Overwhelming
With such an implement at his service III" cor
runi I..alrr who could not secure IN" damhap''
,rui,s ~ bribery would be- fool aS Wei ~ a
knoyc \ Ballot Reform bill containing such an
invitation io fraud Is spurious ar'l''' WIZ"
ought t. bc Indignantly condemned by honest
men of al parties. and rejected by The i"G'>ia'
urc without hesitation or delay
I,ut the change Of few words would convert
This ucly feature of III" flames pli III" WV"
p,rotiv.ly unobIectionlblc detail. Mr. SaNton
bcllnvcs that nlirratc voters are otherwise sum
cicn,ly protected and his opinion Is entitled 10
rrco, weight hut do not think II ncc'S>'r!
70 ontagonizr honest men who do not agree win
him and thereby run the risk OF losing every
thing II the provision Of the bill concerning the
ili,crote were so amended rs 10 give them the
privilege Of demanding only the assistance al
,v sworn election officers belonging 10 different
n,r,ics its inherent capacity for evil would be
almost entirely destroyed. Even then there might
Ia. instances Of collision and deliberate fraud
hut they would he few. In other states such
regulation is in force. and Is not considered ms
cbicvous For such IN amendment ~ the Ralnes
lin honest members ~ the Legislature can ar
ford 70 vote but 10 member can support the bill
in its nrcsen; form without being convicted ~
Ignorance or suspected Of trclrhcry The lcpub
lican majority upon whom the responsibility OF
LEGISLATION rests, should constantly bear In mind
thc fact that In every centre Of population In the
State and especially In this city. there are scoun
drcls ready 10 seize every opportunity To cheat
., the uolls and utilize It to the uttcrmost. II Is
absolutely certain that they will employ this
susplcous provision Of the Raincs bill, n 1t Is
placed at their disposal. with great satisfaction
and success They already know precisely what
they would do with II. Their plans ought to be
frustrated by the passage Of a safe and sound
measure Of genuine reform