New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-17

t.~p1e impressive
Governor voorhees,
IN. Republican Senators are looking
o,rv into the matter OF investigating Hudson
county election methods They have had before
.,.r evidences OF alleged fraudulent registration
hi, they wish 10 60 deeper and more thorough
,y INTO the case before definitely deciding on
,he appointment of an investigating commit
,as The sentiment now is favorable TO the APP
continent Of such a committee. There is how
aver a determination not TO take positive action
IN that direction until the Senators are abso-
lutelv sure that he results will justify the ex-
nenditure OF time and money. week or more
xill be required 10 make the necessary inquiries
and the Senators will then know just what 1t
"a best 10 do In case a committee is appointed
Z, ,s likely 70 be invested with sweeping powers
,o as 20 enable it to overhaul pretty nearly
everything in Hudson County.
The Senate adjourned last night before Sen
s.or McDermott had an opportunity 10 bring UP
the matter.
Newark people appear 10 be pretty generally
q, the opinion that the present School Board,
consisting Of TWO members elected from each OF
,he fifteen wards is out OF date. and that
smaller Board would be better. There is a wide
difference Of opinion as to whether the proposed
new Board should be elective or appointive.
The Newark News" Is not enthusiastic about
G sudden change OF any kind. II says that
those who favor a reduction in the membership
have not clearly set forth their reason. and
points out that the present system has been IN
force forty wears during which Newark has
got along tolerably we'll" Caution and delbera-
,,on are advised and The News ends thus:
N Newark those interested have been hasty in
their manner OF taxing up ms Gges'io' - foes nov
ori, Ire sNairs o. Newark. but also the concerns
o. sis5st Vel and when SO devised submit it ;he
spproval OF the State Legislature In the mean
.bi-r members duly selected by the people for that
purpose
tn. Republicans at Trenton have established a
new precedent IN throwing open the doors OF ther
oosn. n enables the accurate publication of the
proceedings Of these gatherings. Or course, me
,ors or less incorrect and ottentmes biassed by
the feelings OF me parties od s ns me Io THROW
oner the meetings TO the representatives OF the
press So that the 5 Py0e sqe may k meSns Is passed
m rrarv respects. and the time Is coming when
~ g,s 5aytns charge Of the business OF the people
could have a valid objection 10 the proceedings
snG bonest The very fact OF holding secret meet
ings by airy public aoly tnroWS susP.ci i . uroII
Paterson Call
The Joint caucus on the United States Sena-
torshlp was not open TO the reporters. though
II might as well have been. objection was
made bv few ~ the Senators. who argued that
=, would be more In keeping with their dignity
10 follow the time honored presidents. Yet the
Joint caucus in New-York state was open 10 the
reporters and the public and nobodys dignity
appeared 70 ne a pin the worst for It.
IN favoring the proposition 10 publish the tax
lists The Morristown Express" says that some
assessors "are working schemes whereby they
gain favor. and incidentally large patronage
Il they have other business in addition to being
assessor by assessing d select few at a very
lov rate The other long-sufering taxpayers
sre on their scheme. and propose sooner or later
70 adopt some method whereby every one will
he assessed equally. The most satisfactory way
Is 70 publish assessors lists: then one can com
pare MS assessment with his neirhbors At
present some are assessed high. sCme low. some
not at all; the assessors books are private prop
ertv and the taxpayer pays the bill
In Rochester. where the machines used the
result OF the balorng IN the last election was
heard from The vexatious delays Of overburdened
ignorant election officers are abolished and
10 know the result in a city or State within two
hours after the polls closed AL the law neces-
sary for elections by this means would be sim
pie and clear statutes providing for the secrecy
- the booths N which the machines rest and the
proper decision by election boards as 70 who IS
entitled vote Sooner or later the whole coun-
~ will ballot by machine. There is no reason why
Nev-Jersey should not be pioneer in q reform
that Will be real Let the Legislature investigate
the matter and end the futile endeavOr Of trying
70 hnd an honest paper ballot-Paterson Press.
With workable voting machines nothing fur
ther viii be needed in New-Jersey but regula-
tons to prevent persons from voting who have
no legal right TO vote. How 10 protect the reg
stry from fraud is a serious problem. In last
Novemhers election the principal violations OF
he election laws consisted in Illegal registra-
IONS and. subsequently, in having repeaters
vote on registered names, some Of them put on
NE books unlawtully. and others belonging 10
PERSONS who did not take the trouble to exeI-
else the franchise 70 which they were rightfully
entitled