New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-07
FOR ELECTION REFORM.
MANY JOIN IN COUNCIL.
Second Conference ConUenes-Bet
mont Writes on Contributions.


Nearly two hundred delegates from all sections
of the country were present yesterday at the sec
ond national conference for the reform OF the
urinary and election laws and corrupt practices.
held In the rooms of the New-York Board or iraoe
and Transportation. The conference. whicn VIII
continue to-day, is under the auspices OF the Ma
tional Civic Federation
Oscar S. Straus president of the conference,
opened the meeting with an address on the Reform
of the Primaries and Election Laws He said the
conference evidence that the country was
threatened by election evils. He praised those
who have sustained the brave and fearless conflict
against dishonest politics. and cited Governor
Folk Mayor Weaver Senator Colby and District
Attorney Jerome instances where honest POLL
tics signal and precious victories for the
moral law One of the main reasons why there
many forms of fraud in politics. Mr. straus
said. that Americans "a busy people.
Josiah Quincy ex-Mayor of Boston. was then In
PRODUCED the presiding officer of the session
John J. Delany Corporation Counsel. represent
ing Mayor Mcclellan welcomed the delegates
When Mr.. Delany. in speaking OF the conditions
in this city. said there is room for improvement
otherwise there would be nothing to strive for"
there was a general laugh in the audience
Most of the reforms in the election system. MI
Quincy said, could be traced to the Australian bal
lot law. 'I am sure he said. that out Of this
conference will much light in the further re-
forms of the primary and ballot laws"
Horace e Deming of the City Club. in speak
ing of Elective Office in Representative Democ-
racy." said In part:
to influence nominations. must ally himself with a
recognized political party organization and In cast
dates for national. for state and for municipal
of that organization. The individual citizen may
appreciate the incongruity and absurdity, but he
has no choice In the matter.
George L. Record Corporation Counsel Of Jersey
City, talked the development OF the primary
NeW-IerSpy q "a bel rrf-
mary should be held on the same day the first
registry at the same places and with the same
paraphernalia the election; that names should
be placed alphabetically on the ballot. and that
/ the voters should be enrolled at the time OF the
primary. Citing the victory OF Senator Everett
Colby, Mr. Record said: Il believe even without
money beat the bosses a fair portion of
the time"
William D. Washburn jr.. representing Mayor
Jones or Minneapolis. described in detail the pro-
visions Of the law governing the Minnesota direct
primary which he favors. He said that the opfh-
ion was general in Minnesota that United States
Senators should be elected by direct vote of the
people There are often votes cast at the
primaries in Minneapolis. he said than at the cleo
tions. He continued:
because it does away with the old system of re-
wards for party workers Some good citizens are
or which is that it permits the election of minor
possible for of good reputation to be elected
without the say-so of a convention a boss.
Perry Belmont wrote from Washington that he
was unable to attend the conference because he
wished to obtain hearing from the House Conn.,
mittee. which has the Publicity bill in charge. His
letter, in part follows:
one of the important incidents of this agita-
ton Revelations in regard TO insurance companies
ana their contributions to political campaigns dis
closures before Congressional committees of repre-
Enowege o s Tssd to the
nuehoes ana Gonsl9erati9ns In CONNECTION with con
have impressed upon the American people the
funds for future Ge Senns Fe IN
growing larger and more threatening to the honest
The mo movement for state and national remedial
secret political contributions and expendtres ho Ss
been rapidly increasing in strength and scope Ma
organiized labor by resolutions end PETITION. is
BEEN Sroduoed in CoSgGess ezra Bills have
Senate and House of Representatives of both
ticty bill. '' '''''' I'll laws u national pup
Ex-Governor Franklin Murphy of New-Je-ssv
presided at the afternoon session. George Fred
Rush, o. Chicago. who drafted the first primary
law of Illinois, discussed tho Illinois primary He
declared that in his opinion the existence OF great
important political parties in this country was in
evitable, and that the aim should be to present IN
them primary law fair that they would profit
by using it-one that will answer every demand Of
rerormers.
s.
sembly. said that the fight in his State was won
in spite of the convention system. The law has
been tried as ye- only in municipal elections but
wherever tried he said. 1t had been complete sue
cess. The railroad lobbyists opposed the law, as
they expressed 1t. because 1t prevented them from
getting together TO talk it over with the voter"
Charles r. Russell. chairman of the COMMITTEES
on Privileges and Elections of the Georgia Assem-
bly, described the action of the primary law in his
State
R. L. Borden. leader OF the Conservative party
In the Canadian Parliament, was warmly received
Canada. He made frequent comparisons between
the political institutions in the United States end
Canada. He said. in part:
In Canada, as in the United States the system,
of government by party prevails. 1t is thought by
some TO be an essential feature of democrats IN
until we are able to point out. or what is more
Meanwhile good citizens should unite in honest en
deaVor 10 Tree the party system from the anoma-
Canada. like the United States is much eoVeIned
country We have Federal Parliament nine Pro-
ellis elected by the people.
Mr.. Borden then discussed the penalties for cleo
ton bribery He said the transfer OF decision
upon the validity of elections from the House of
Commons to the Superior Courts of the Canadian
Provinces had proven eminently satisfactory The
practice OF treating at elections he said stu
prevailed. but had been minimzed "The offence
of PRESERVATION is most frequent and dangerous
said Mr.. Borden. Continuing he said:
At the last Federal election an attempt was made
In Two divisions 10 Use special ballot box imported
from Buffalo. which in appearance closely resenr-
two secret receptacles operated by an unobtrusive
ma h Ome OF these reesPaeles would be loaded
for the candidate OF his party. The box upon cx-
found apparently empty After il was T yoda be
turn OF me handle emptied this secret receptacle