New-York tribune., 1905-11-11
BALLOT REFORM LIKELY.
DISGUST Ouer Alleged Election
Frauds Makes for Nezc Legislation.

,..o 1eg;sIative "sharpS'' see q new Daliot
| Ioo,,,;ng nm IN the wave of reform which is
sveening over the city as thinking men olseS'
tbe returns CO the recent election ana near
evidence of the various sorts Oh 1rauds WHICH
ware practised by corrupt posses. for SIX
,ears now attempts have been made 10 get
through ballot legislation at Albany, ana the5
have come to naught. but never before nave
+h. civic committees supporting the bills had
sucb q weight of public opinion with them
The Joint Committee Ballot Reform IS
rerbans the organization from which action
can he first expected. It is composed of MEM
hers of a number of civic clubs and associa-
tions For several years this committee has
been studying the ballot question, and II Is
prepared to present a mass of facts IN support
of a. decided change in the form of ballot. \
incIudes representatives from the City CluO'
the Reform Club and others
Ex-Judge William n. Cohen chairman "I
the executive committee has asked James
W. Pryor, secretary of the committee 10 can
a meeting at Judge Cohens office. No -
wiI,iam-st.. next Monday The other members
OF the executive committee are NJ d. Roths-
child treasurer; V. Everit Macy, John u. Aga
Thomas A. Fulton, Boudinot Keith, Johh G'
Milburn Thomas M. Osborn, James d. f'esh-
olds. Ansley Wilcox, John De Witt Warner ana
E. H. kitchener.
Judge Cohen said yesterday that the JOINT
committee realized the opportunity Whlcn the
disclosures of the recent election presented ana
that they were prepared to take advantage
of them. He added:
For six years have gone before the Ju-
dietary Committee of the State Legislature Win
certain ballot reforms which seemed most
necessary. The Republicans would tell now
much they wanted to help us. but how they
feared that the Democrats would fight the
measure. Then. in equal confidence, the Demo-
Gratis would assure us OF support ana 9 express pres
fear of Republican opposition Then both par
ties would join hands and fight the REFORM
measure.
In speaking of the last work of this COM
mittee the treasurer, NJ. D. Rothschid, said;
The last work of the committee was the re re,
Introduction in the 1903 legislature of the 1871
Coupon Ballot bill. / have no doubt that the
committee will Immediately begin TO agftate 1or
this ballot BILL and, with the assistance of the
press and with the events OF the last rev Weeks weeks
still fresh in the minds OF the people, there
should be good chance of its success.
John De Witt Warner, of the City Club COM
mfttee on ballot reform gave out long state
ment on the subject, in which he said in part
Our election law is fagrantly defective IN
three regards. First, in obstructing independent
nominations; second, in the needessly conipleM ,s
form of the ballot. and third, in the confusing
directions for counting the vote.
r. Fulton Cutting president Of the Citizens
Union has taken stand for the Massachusetts
ballot He is pleased at the interest which the
recent election troubles have aroused in election
reforms
Among the bills which are TO be drawn up
for public consideration is one by Assemblynan
Foelker of the 9TH Assembly District, Brooklyn
which he intends to present at the next session
of the legislature This bill will provide for the
introduction of the Massachusetts ballot law.
number of organizations are planning to hold
special meetings to discuss ballot reform, ana
a date has already been selected by the Con-
gress Club, of the largest Repuphcan Or
ganizations in Brooklyn.