New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-11
BAR WANTS BALLOT CHANGED
THE ASSOCIATION SUGGESTS AN AMEND
MENT.

The annual meeting Of the Bar Association was
held last night it's home, in West Forty
fourth-st. between Fifth and Sixth ayes. and the
report Of the Committee OF Fifty appointed in the
last campaign as an auxiliary Of the Committee
the judiciary read by Everett p. Wheeler.
II favored the separation of judicial candidates on
the official ballot from the rest Of the candidates 10
be voted for and suggested resolutions requesting
the committee the amendment OF the law TO
frame a bill looking to that end. to be introduced
in the Legislature. There animated debate
this matter.
The report went the work OF the association
In the last campaign for the maintenance of an
independent judiciary. It called attention 10 the
Carnegie Hall demonstration. the appointment Of
the Committee of one Hundred and also the APP
pointment of the Fifty. The committee said fur
ther:
The expenses OF this were betrayed by
upon the association The newspaper press Of the
movement We believe that It produced pro-
found impression upon the public mind. and con-
the judiciary was dear TO the American citizen. and
could not be safely assailed. We did not. indeed,
whom our canvass was made. But their vote was
much larger than that cast for the RepuoNe;an
However, the increased vote secured for Judges
DAILY and Cohen. but OF the results at
tained. The campaign carried on rOr the lnue-
pendence of the Judiciary. in the opinion OF many.
tion I'm the State of New-York last fall The
knowledge that this association and the members
of the bar at large Irrespective ot party lines ana
Irrespective OF political consequences are ready 10
vigorously oppose any attack on the independence
of our courts will stand as a warning TO arrogant
political managers.
There can think. be no doubt that II sep
arate ballot had been provided for judicial camel
dates was the practice unGer the FORMER un
official ballot system. the vote for the Independent
candidate would have been much larger The lntrl
caces Of the present ballot act perpleXing ana
prevent freedom of choice on the part OF the voter
They make Il almost impossible 10 give speCldl
support to a single candidate. For this reason we
recommend for adoption by the association 'ne
following resolutions ,. Il,
Resolved That the Committee on Amendment OF
the Law be requested to prepare for submission 20
the Legislature an act amending the ballot law
of the State Of New-York 80 as 10 provide tnal
all candidates for judicial office shall be voted tor
upon a separate official ballot with their names ar
ranged IN alphabetical order. and not IN party
column ., %
Resolved That said committee be requested TO
engaged in consideration OF amendments 10 '"'S
law. ,,.,o-
The resolutions ELECTED considerable discussion
but were finally adopted by vote OF 80 TO D.. ~,
TIE annual election resulted as tolloMs. TT, :.
dent lanes c Carter: vce-presidents. William G
Choate Hamilton Odell. Stephen II. Olin Herosrt
b Turner Edmund Wetmore recording s"cre'ar :,
Silas b. Browne, corresponding secretary, d.
Aymar Sands: trea surer, s. Sidney Snlh; lINscu
tive Committee OCiass of lSD. Charles g. burning
ham Howard Mansfield. David B. Ogden. thar.es
Steele Albert Stickney; Executive tomml,tes 'lo
for Committee on Admissions (Class Of bod James
r. Ely. Lewis s Hasam; George W hircn%fy il s,
Newell Martin. Mark w. Potter, Howard van SIN
deren and Edwin d. Worcester, Jr.