New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-09

CONrERREEs MAKE a GOOD BILL OF THE
RAINEs MEASURE.
THE CHANCES FOR CoERuPTING IILLTERATE
VOTERS REDUCfD-THE BILL TO PURIFY
POLITICAL. CAUCusEs AND CoNvEN-
TIoNs EECONs1DEEED AND
PASSED EY THE
ASSEMBLY.
fry TELEGRAPH TO THE TPIDv%F !

10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TP1D'Htl
Albany. May S-'rhe Rancs Blanket Ballot
bill came out Of conference this morning in a
much more satisfactory shape than it seemed
likely to be licked into in the earlier stages OF It's
progress The conference report was submitted
first to the Assembly. and wos promptly ana
cheerfuy accepted in that body.
The conferrccs after 4 brief exchange OF
views decided 90 meet the general criticism Of
the illieraic aid section Of the bill rs IL passed
the Assembly, and strike ont the provision al
lowing illiterate voters to be accompanied into
the voting booth by two outsiders of Opposite
political faith" This privilege. il was argued
might be used as q loophole for the purchase
and delivery of votes through one or other Of
the illiterate's assistants The paragraph was
accordingly altered SO TO connc the choice
of assistants to the election officials. the Tilt
crate voter selecting any two of opposite politi-
cal Affiliations. The election officials are also
to be required 70 take an oath before the open
ing Of the polls TO engage in no corrupt prac-
tees and TO keep secret everything which may
hammer while any OF Them is assisting voter
TO make out his ballot Any violation OF this
oath is 10 constitute misdemeanor.
The adoption of the report advocated in the
Assembly by Messrs Gardiner and Robbins. Of
the Judiciary Committee. and was opposed by M
Sanger. who as one Of the Assembly conferrees
presented a dissenting report. signed by himself
Mr.. Sanger admitted that IL the abe-bodied Hit
crate voter was 10 be allowed to have assistance
in making out his ballot. the provisions Of the con-
ference reports for giving that assistance were
perhaps the best possible He was unwilling.
however. to consent II the proposition that an
able-oodied illiteratc was entitled under the Con-
stitution to ask for assistance. and he regarded
rf,.t,, y, os7 vi
laton OF the secrecy of the ballot en;oined by the
Constitution.
The report was adopted by a vote Of 81 to 10. Mr..
Chapman Mr.. Percy Mr.. Niles and Mr. Sanger
being recorded with eleven Democrats in the
negative.
Eight days ago. through the indifference Of the
Republican managers and the Low attendance Of
Republican members. an important eleciion-rc-
form BILL extending to political oaucuses and con-
ventions the safeguards against bribery now
thrown about elections by the Corrupt Practices
act was allowed 10 fail in the Assembly for lack
of a constitutional quorum. Public criticism was
justly excited by the exhibition OF cafel"S'n'sa
and neglect. and enough pressure WAS SvoI
brought 70 bear on the majority leaders 10 insure
a prompt attempt TO repair the blunder. MI
Conkng of New-York who had the n'li IN
charge. had moved a RECONSIDERATION al'e' VIC
first disa ppointinr vote. and on May he gave no
tice that he would demand another division on
May The bill could not be reached yeSl"rdd!'
but was made special order for this morning.
The change OF attitude on the part OF the ma
jority managers was made apparent as 500" a.
the measure called up Mt oGrady' MI
Nixon and Speaker Fish advocated the passage
OF the bill. and each WED with TIE DINERS IN uib
IN the vital Importance OF the reform in political
me thods which its enactment would inaug"I"''
Only Mr. Stanchhed. the solitary survivor ana
champion in the Legislature OF me rs.l' s,n.4'
Of politics could be drawn openly into opposi-
zion and his assault the measure was malt
hearted and per!unctory
On the ro.ican many Democrats supported the
bill and the affirmative vote. which on April 80
had been less than nifty. was lOb t"-dat. pc D''
has already passed the Senate. where 1t was
introduced and pushed by Mr.. Pound ana II now
goes to the Governor for approval II makes
guilty Of misdemeanor punishable by IN
prisonment for not more than one year. any per
son who commits one or more OF the io'o"hs
offences:
First. votes or attempts to vote al a political
caucus or convention without being entitled 10 90
second by bribery, menace or other c,rrup,
means directly Indirectly, attempts 10 influence
The vote OF any person entitled 10 vote al such
voting or prevents him from voting ih"rcat
Third. frauduiently or wrong'niiy does any aJ,
tending 70 affect the result Of an election al such
Fourth. being an officer teller or canyasseI Their
Of vilfully omi,s. refuses or nesccis y ~ any
act required by the Election law or refuses t. per
init any person to 90 any act arnofIs s or
the ballots cast at such caucus or convention; or
statement of the result OF canvass OF the oaiOls
cast thcreat.
Fifth induces or attempts to induce any officer.
teller or canyasser of such caucus convention
TO DO any act In viola ton OF his duty.
sixth directly or indirectly, by himself or through
any other person pays or offers 10 pnv money or
other valuable thing to any person 70 induce any
voter or voters TO vote refrain from voting at
such caucus convention for any particular per-
persons.
Seventh directly indirectly by himself or
through any other person. receives money OF other
yalua ole thing before. after such caucus or
&C invention for voting refrainng from voting FOR
or against person al such caucus or cCnven-
ton.
The act is 20 take effect on September |. 1875.