New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-12

ss,cE OF THE GOVERNOR TO THE
EXTRA SESSION.
-vprNsEs. SOLDIERS VOTING AND HONEST
ELECTIONS THE SUBJECT FOR ACTION.

VAR EXPENSES. SOLDIERS VOTING AND HONEST
ELECTIONS THE SUBJECT FOR ACTION.
Try TELEGRAPH To TIE TRIBUNE
oy July 1.-THE New-York State Leris-
., ret in extraordinary session last evening
-.s,onse to the call issued last week by Gov
~ H.. BLACK The call did not state the purpose
,as bling of the members. and there
much interest In the message expected from
the Governor
amer both houses had assembled the follow
,.r message was transmitted by Governor
Black
10 the Legislature Of NewYork.
I.nusual events ntve male X necessary to
o,nvone the Legislature in extra session. There
80 tnree subjects which demand attention. and
Ireconnlerd them for legislative action.
,7ir,t-An appropriation to meet the expense
oe nrovding New-Y ork's share Of troops re-
crired IN the war with Spain
cecond-A plan to enable voters absent from
their homes in the military service to vote at
coming elections -
c,tizens who would vote according to Law. and
more Ger tainly prevent and punish those who
would vote otherwise.
Refore the adjournment In March, the Legis-
,a,mre approprated 81. 100000 to meet a con-
tinrercy which It was hoped would never hap
nen Since then NewYorS has put N the field
Is 0oo men at an expense Of $3.50 493 70 There
&c an unexpected balance Of $50, SOC 2S. A large
rart O. the money paid out will be returned by
general Government. nut not IN time 10 ne
available for present use THIS expenditure has
cent 10 service the best drilled best equipped
ond best prepared troops that any state has
furnished The purposes forswhich the aprro-
nration has been expended appear in the AdJu-
fant- enerars statement. which Ia submitted
herewith. Such expenditures are given In detail
On the books Of The Adiutant- Generals Depart
rnent 10 which books refer.
TO PROVIDE FOR VOTING IN THE FIELD.
The tustice Of providing for the soldiers vote
~ AL hor he
nresen, call is completed about twenty thousand
ot the male citizens OF NewYork. Most or them
are voters They have responded with such
rromptness and courage 10 evoke the hlGh-
est praise from the Government at Washing
ton. and from the loyal citizens Of the whole
country regardless Of State limits. In NoVem-
her there NAV be in the field more or less than
now but in the natural order Of things now
ever speedily the war may end, some. at least
will be absent. Every honorable sentiment oe-
mands that the right Of the soldier De recos
nzed by the State whose fame ne mas piese'N Ne"
The last subject which have recommended
Is no less just or important than the other TWO.
There are laws now designed 10 protect hohest
voters and suppress those that are fraudulent
but none except the unintelligent or the unialr
maintain that these laws are always II',e, sllTCst
clean result. but until that result Is as honest
as law can make the subject VII! never De
closed. The overwhelming majority ol III" icO-
pie OF this State Of all political faiths. oeieVe
in and will maintain clear electoral francnlse
but ever since men have dealt together corrup
ton has been extant and the time and means
OF the vast majority have been necessarily en-
ploved in attempting to confne the smal NIL
nority within the rest ants OF law
DEFIANT AND SUCCESSFUL LLAW-BREAKERS
There is no direction in which law-breakers
have been so defiant and successful as against
the right Of suffrage. The heat OF political con-
troversy has too often excused where II should
nave condemned n temporary triumph has
sometimes been gained the cost Of integrity,
and the process has been ignored No govern
ment can long endure which does not check and
punish this highest OF al forms OF treason.
Other offences compared with 1t are small and
Insignificant. An honest franchise lies at the
bottom Of all governmental stability.
You will enact laws in vain against theft and
plage il the greatest evil. corrurted fran
chise goes uncleansed 1t will profit lit:le to save
the veins II the arteries are cut II Is far 100 COM
mon 10 make election crimes Of the fall public
jcsts in ths following spring. Honest 'houghtful
citizens ~ this State see IN recent events @ IN
-ices which have IN more than one occasion de-
fraudad and disgraced the state
NOTORIOUS VIOLATOR OF ELECTION LAW.
When instruments are needed they are select
cd because Of fitness for the end desired. This
is true whether that end be honorable or base;
and when recently in New-York City the power
70 control elections was vested IN one whose
prominence rested upon notorious violations OF
She election law. the conclusion folio wed that
the selection was made 10 repeat the Infamous
practices which had tarnished his previous
career High official station. accompanied with
great power has heen there bestowed upon one
whose name has had with election and otner
crimes the closest association. This increase OF
power with no suggestion Of increase OF htAess
integrity. has aroused the conservative cu.
Zens Of every party 30 demand that the paIlot
be preserved from hands ;hat hitherto nave
srnirched It. The power 10 30 this is vested III
the Legislature. The duty TO exercise nat
power cannot be evaded or ienled. The author-
fly rests with the Legislature OF this STATE Dut
the demand comes from honest citizens the
country over The police control may be
subject Of local legislation What community
will do with and for itself II alone should De
cid as long az that decision does not afect
others nor transgress the bounds Of decency ana
good morals The general powers Of the police
In New-York CITY should not now he interfer"d
with That body sh )uld be left az II is unth
the demonstration Of ifs unHtress Is again re-
peated and comDlete. But he question OF an
honest ballot is neither lcc1' nor state; II is
National and broader even than tfat r'r ~
afrert~ and controls ~ no Other Issue does Inc me
Integrity Of citizenship. which has no INIT lnt
Nat'onal ASPECT ~ this question has In recent
years received signal declaration.
IMPORTANCE or NEw-YORK's VOTE.
The Presidency has often turned upon the
vote of New-York and within the memory OF
young men that high Office has been once be-
slowed through the dishonor Of the franchise
in a single community IN this State. The nues-
,ion thus presented cannot, therefore be mar
rowed to local significance. nor confined by the
restraints o. party afnlation. 1t is as broad as
tie whole country, and It Is to the citizen, not
70 the partisan that its appeal IS made. by no
false issue should that appeal be stfed or OBJ
secured. II antagonizes no sound doctrines and
transgrosses no precept Of fair play. No honest
man can suffer nor justly complain Of a violated
right.
There are many who say. perhaps some VINO
believe that uness this question is dealt WIN
by each community. right or wrong. the prln-
Ciue Of ror r,,le 10 ed Even this con-