New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-04
pTRTFY TIE PRIMARIES.

The Assembly still has chance 10 redeem the
mistake Of last Tuesday. by which through the
absenton Of many members from vo'ihS H'h
ator Pounds bill 10 throw about poh'icai ca"
clscs and conventions all the safeguards against
corruption now thrown about elections Dy the
Corr,rpt Practices act failed Of It's final passage
ON the rolcall thlrty-cight votes W'r" east lor
The. hill and only twenty four against II, put
number II members who did not dar" race 'h'lr
constituents with a record or having Oppose"
this measure for the publication OF politics '""h"
il convenient 10 escape being recorded. because
~ these men the hill failed ~ constitutional
m1lorfv Mr. Ainsworih secured rcronsid'ra-
,inn. however and II enough Asscmblym'n come
ia realization OF the duty they ow" 10 the voters
If the state the good example Of the Senate may
he followed and the Legislature may r"c"iv"
credit for having hr,Nght about a much-n""i"d
reform.
Eriln.ry m caucllScs Is Il much more common
ofrcuc, than brib,ry at elections AMI ~ II oc'
ours nearer the sources II political action II leads
ro the greater harm. II the primaries are cor
r,,,f ,vrryihln. that follows will SAVIOR of corr1ip-
ton The voter N election time under the party
system that has grown M among us does not
have unrestricted choice. He must practically
only a choice between two evils. there is moth
Ing for him TO do bu next year 10 strive with MS
p,rfy associates for proper nominations But I'M
less The primaries are honestly conducted his
efforts are vain. and any work which he may
do AZ election time for honest government Is
ais, vain. majority Of the voters Of both par
Ties In ihI, Stat" are doubtless honest and In
cIIned 70 take high views concerning the char
q ,.tf, Lat. 4, .fi
urinary laws are AT present So loosely construct
ed that tho purchasablc element frequently de-
c,,ies nominations and dictates policies. To the
rural caucuscs as we'll as to the city primaries
" both parties money is frequently sent at con
ycuiion time In large quantities. 1t Is done open
ly and unblushlngy Corrupt politicians. when
they cannot find In their districts enough mem
beers Of their own party whom they can buy. pick
M among their opponents men VINO pcrJurc
themselves TO vote as they are brbed to vote
And the honest party men have no remedy Ihe
State attempts to restrict the payment ~ money
nj elections but II i notorious fact that In the
last few years we have had many public officers
who paid more to secure their nominations than
they aftcrward spent for legitimate or illeglti-
mate campaign purposes.
II Is 10 cure ,hi, evil AMI give freedom to the
honest sentiment of the rank and file Of the Re
publican and Democratic parties that Senator
Pounds bill was offered II makes msdcmcanors
Of false voting false canvasslng Of the votes cast
and the promise or acceptance Of II consideration
for voting or rcfraining from voting NJ any eau
Gus or convention It's passage Is demanded by
every consideration Of honesty and good govern
mcnt. The men who stand In It's way will have
hard work TO excuse themselves 10 the people
whom they pretend To represent