New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-08
ELECTION LAW AMENDMENTS.
SENATOR WRAY WISHES TO PROMOTE IN
DEPENDENT NOMINATIONS AND
MAKE VOTING EASIER


Albany. Feb. 7.-senator wray. Of Brooklyn. who
In conjunction with Assembyman Wallace OF
Queens. has introduced bill amending the Elec-
ton law. says the measure will he modified In some
particulars notably to meet the objection OF those
who thought its intent was to prevent Independent
nominations Senator Wray to-day gave sum-
mary of the points OF the measure as now pro-
jected. He said:
II regard this bill Of the most scientihc
election laws proposed at any time. 1t is oased
upon the conception that man is the unit OF point
zeal organization not numbers OF men. nor munic-
inalities nor counties Taking this view of tho
case the bill proposed that certain percentage
OF the voting population Of every political division
may make an independent nomination Inc ia"
as II stands to-day. provides that an aroitrary
number OF electors in different cities ana every
political division may make independent nomna-
t,ors Az the law stands to-day six thousand
voters of the State must subscribe and swear 10
nomination certificate make an independent
State nomination but 1T also requires that at least
fifty electors in each county shall sign This gives
upon an independent State nomination.
The proposed amendment provides that t., Per Per
State may make an independent State nomination.
provided that in AT least thirty-on cpueS, he
nifty electors who will sign such certificate In
cities Of the first class 1t is B rgyi sen t hs csr
cate and in cities of the second class ana IN al
other localities per cent OF the ese fsc, 81 tbs
present provision is to require great many more
electors 10 sign the various certificates than VIII
be required under the proposed amendment
eft ia a proyided that every eiector signing an
independent nomination certificate shai max 90.
that Il is his intention the time OF signing II 70
vote for the candidate or candidates 80 nonlnat'9
and also that such eector voted at the last preCeu
ing general election, unless he was not Al 'hat
time qualified elector. . .ho-,,,
There is another provision TO prevent cu1npeII.s
IN of a ticket with the name OF the same canul,,
date printed under different party emb.ems ana
in different columns this often being the cause n
confusion to voters The ballot provided Tor py
This bin groups the candidates for the various
offices under the title Of the oftce-tnat is eNrii
candidate for Governor appears In one coIufnn VIII
his party emblem opposite his name. and Young
space within which to make the cross on ,hs sIie
Governor are in IKE manner placed IN a sePdIfite
space and every candidate for each separate oIlce
is named under the title OF that ONCE IN M
space Where a candidate has been nominated ny
more parties than one having party einDl@h's, OF
has been nominated by Independent certncetes IN
addition 10 a regular nomination. he sha, De en-
titled TO as many emb,ems as he has nomlns lons'
which shall all be printed opposite his name 10 IN
dictate that he Is the candidate OF each one Oh 'eSo
parties ~. ~. ,-ooosad
There is another provision OF the proposse,o
amendment which we think will save much trouble
in determining what the intention or an eIeC'or
was in making his ballot. II is provided That when
electors choice FOR Office 10 be nlien, ms ,Vot
shall not be counted for such ONCE, Dut sht' ns
returned as blank vote for such once. nut hiS
vote shall be counted for all candidates Tot az
Offices nroperly marked. unless II shall appear that
tha wrong marking for any Office was for the pur-
Court shall have power TO declare 'he whore oa'o'
VOID