New-York tribune., 1906-11-05
MARKINu THE BALLOT.

Each year the question of how to mark the
ballot for a split ticket arises and each year
there is a confusion Of counsel. We under
stand that some of the campaigners for the
judiciary Nominators are asking Republicans
70 put a cross in the circle under the Repub-
lican emblem and cross in the circle under the
black triangle of the Judiciary Nominators.
This, we think, is bad advice Granted that
the ballot so marked would be held valid the
only effect of that marking would be TO cast
vote for Judge Wyatt, instead of Judge Rosal-
sky, for the Court of General Sessions. unless
indeed. ii invalidated the ballot for that
particular Office. Except for these two names
the tickets, so far as that Of the Judiciary
NominatOrs goes. are identical Probably the
courts would hold a ballot so marked valid as
expressing the intent of the voter, but it does
not strictly conform to the method for split
voting outlined in the statute. The same ques-
ton arose last year, when Mr.. Jerome had q
column and emblem all to himself and advised
voters after putting a cross under their own
party emblem 10 put one in his circle. Such in
structions were sharply challenged at that time
We subpose many votes so marked were counted
for Mr. Jerome As his was the only name in
the column, 1t might have been argued that it
was a matter Of Indifference whether the cross
was in the square against his name or in the
circle above II. 1t might not be thought so
much matter of Indifference by the courts
when several names were involved. If a ballot
can be marked, why can it not also be
marked by Hearst man with a cross IN both
the Democratic and Independence League cir
cles? The obvious answer is that it would re-
suit in utter confusion. Even if held to be Il
vote for the candidates on both tickets, the
inspector could not tell the intent of the voter
in respect 10 other offices. 1t happens that the
names on the Republican and Judiciary Nom
inatOrs ticket 50 arranged that the intent
would he plain. but no rule is 10 he commended
which makes the validity Of a ballot depend on
the chance of such arrangement.
The law provides a safe and easy way to split
The citizen who wishes TO vote generally for the
Republican ticket and for all the candidates of
The Judiciary Nominators can accomplish his
purpose by putting = cross under the Repub-
can emblem and a cross to the left of Judge
Wyatt's name in the judiciary Nominators' col
umn. That is the right and safe way 10 accom-
plsh his purpose. and II will likewise give the
judiciary Nominators record of their voting
strength. if that is what they want lust as
well rs a cross in the circle: for in the count
the votes in different columns for the same
candidate will be consolidated. and the ONLY
trace of a separate organizations support will
be the vote for candidate whose name appears
solely in its column.
While giving this instruction on splitting
tickets we at the same time urge all good cit
izens To vote the straight Republican ticket
Judge Rosalsky is entitled TO their vote Last
year some Of the leaders of the judiciary Nom
inators commended him 10 the people He is on
the bench and deserves an election. But we do
not urge this on his account. Having been in
dorsed by the Independence League he is likely
10 he elected anyway. We urge a straight vote
because. while ballot marked for Judge WYATT
will probably have no practical effect in the
choice of judges, il adds TO the chance of dis
pute. \ straight Republican vote will give the
Judiciary NominatoTs practically all they ask
and absolutely all they have any chance of gain
ing. while it avoids giving TO Hearst any such
loophole as he seeks to dispute and delay the
count