The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-01-15
PRIMARY REFORM.
Approaching Conference to
Adopt the Direct Vote
System.
HUDsoNl's PLAN COPIED
Mr.. Geo. l.. Record Explains Some
Developments of the Move
ment and lis Operation
Elsewhere.
HUDsoN's PLAN COPIED

the Candidates direct. as recently tried Dy
the "Delsartean" system, is causing no
and which has been humorously called
the aDelsartian'' system. is causing no
little stir among New York political par
ties today. Indeed, A~ssemblyman Hill,
of Erie county,, has introduced a law al
the behest of the Buffalo Republican
League. which differs only slightly from
the bill drawn by Mr. George l.. Record
r Of this city. which he had introduced into
the New Jersey Legislature some years
ago, but which was killed.
To consider the entire subject of voting
direct. or reforming the present political
management of primaries. a conference
has been called for January 20 in New
York city. a brief announcement OF which
appeared in yesterdays News The
plan to abolish conventions in Hudson
county, as readers of this paper will re-
collect. was adopted some years ago at
a meeting of prominent Democrats of the
county, held in the rooms on Van Worst
Square of the now. defunet Hudson Demo-
cratic Society, or as it was termed then
by the sshort hairs the "boudoir of the
sak-stoeking Democrats" Mr.. Record,
then candidate for Congress, was the
author of the plan, and it was explained
at that meeting. The leaders agreed TO
adopt it to create harmony between the
factions and it vent into effect with dis
astrous results for those running on the
reform ticket. Speaking of the new bill
introduced into the New York Legisla-
ture Mr.. Record said. in conversation with
a News representative that it was re-
markabIe how the question of primaries
reform had suddenly jumped into such
prominence.
D you expect much opposition to it,
MI. Record was asked.
oh. yes. the argument for a direct
vote at our primaries is SO very radical
that the politicians will surely fight it,"
was MS reply.
In what does the bill. to be introduced
by Mr.. Hal of Erie, differ from that
drafted by your
Very slightly. indeed replied Mr..
Record. HE provides for two registry
days. while my bill only mentioned one
before the primary. Then he has a clause
directing that the direct vote may be sub
stituted for delegates whenever the
municipality wishes to have it turned
over. That is a good thing
Mr.. Record said that in a large number
of States the election laws We're silent as
TO the caucus and convention, or. at
most, refer merely to them as a portion
of the nominating machinery, or provide
penalties for the more fragrant offenses
against the proper and orderly conduct
thereof. Then, picking up an interesting
report of the Buffalo Republican League
on the question under discussion, Mr..
Record pointed out passages which said
that Pennsylvania was a notable in
stance. since its new ballot law of 1898
by implication turned over the convention
and caucus to the party organization and,
made them amenable to its rules. Elk
cepting Massachusetts, it said. none OF the
New England. States did any more and
very little could be said for the laws gov
sarning the elections machinery of New
Jersey. Maryland, Delaware, West Vir-
ginia, Illinois. Iowa, Kansas and other
states west of the Missouri. excepting
California. About California Mr.. Record
was enthusiastic.
IN California" he said, "they have a
very up-to-date election law, which was
finally completed and passed in March,
1897. That is a law with many excellent
provisions. one of which is remarkable.
II actually makes the election officers like
our jurymen."
aPlease explain that"
ST can't do better replied Mr.. Record,
tina read you this extract, which covers
y the ground and explains everything. rms
is from the report i mentioned before:
Yv far the most interesting provision of
his statute is that which provides a new
5ethod for the choice of election ofncers.
substance, it orders the selection our
the month of January each year by
:. Board of Election Commissioners OF
4 : names of not less than fifteen elect
S residing in each election precinct,
Mich names are put in envelopes by pre-
incts and kept sealed and remain in the
custody of the Board. Twenty days be-
fore the holding of a primary the Boaru
he name of the person to be inspector OF
lectior@ and. second. the names of tive
5ersons to be judges of election; the two
latter to be of opposite political parties.
The inspector and judges thus chosen
must serve as such without pay Tor the
year for which they are chosen, ano
having served are exempt from such duty
for the following year. In other words,
the idea Of compulsory public service ex-
pressed in our jury system has in Cali
fornia been applied to the electoral sys-
TEN.
California Legislature had avoided one
great objection urged against a compre.
hensive primary elec1lon ax law, nanny annnsc tas
with the printing of the ballots, and We
the ballots voted must be OF q definite
size and Color, anu Liz SCNlSty u ~ b1A
lot was reasonably maintained. No ex
pense was incurred also in the pay. or IN
spectors because these officers performed
their duties as incidental duties to citizen
ship. This left as the only expense to b.
borne by the public the minor one OF tbs
~propdsition of the poll lists, ballot boxes
return certificates and so forth. IN the re
port of the committee thanks We're ten
dered to Mr.. Record for a draft OF nj
bill and nice things said about II.
lions to the direct vote for candidates? 2
There appear to be three which hav'
haen brought to the attention of the com
mittee." replied Mr.. Record, quoting from
the report. but whether they are wei
formulated or not the committee had no
nauired very fully! They are
q 1T will as a rule result in a nomina
tian nv 4 minority of the party and nigh
result in a nominee representative of les
than a fifth of the party's voters ut tn,
~. IN large cities nearly all municipa
and comfy offices are filled the same year
fhe Dartv ballot would become so large a
n grpafIy confuse the voter, and thu
sefeat the purpose of the law.
= Lastly. in practice 3 n the ma
nnf unnecessarily he who is most valuable t
fhe people. win as a rule be nominated p
ti,e method, thus the more increasing III
aIreldv vast influence of the press O
nar+v nominations.
summing up. Mr.. Record was confiden
that the direct vote movement would 500
assume a like power which resulted N q
adonfisn Of the Australian Ballot Syster
and the death Of old corrupt practice a
election