New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-02
EXIT THE REPEATER.

There is said to be much lamentation IN TAM
many inner circles over the probable effects on
the Tammany vote of the new registration laws
Voting citizens" Of vagabond habits and uncer-
tain identity is a recognized industry IN the
Temmanv scheme of politics. It has been esti-
mated that from 10000 to 10000 votes are cast
every year in this city by persons claiming
residence without having fulfilled the legal con-
ditions of residence. or using fictitious names
previously put on the registration books by
themselves or by confederates. It is possible In
the crowded tenement districts for one man TO
register under different names from various
residences and for that man or some substitute
10 vote under all these designations In some
such districts the TanmaDy machine dominates
both political organizations, and vigilance on
the part of the election officials is often inter
rnittent. Identification has been more or less
perfunctory and late arrivals at the polls have
not infrequently found that early rising SUD-
stitutes have voted for them.
The last Legislature struck a blow at this
substitution and Justification industry when it
passed q law requiring every voter to identity
himself by means of his signature. On register
ing he must write his name in the voters book
and on voting must write his name again and
have it compared with the earlier signature
This is naturally test from which the average
repeater would shrink. He is generally half
illiterate outcast or criminal of the petty sort
who would be clumsy at turning out good fac
smile of another's handwriting. Even If he
succeeded in getting near enough to pass mus
fer before the election board. the record would
be there for inspection later by the prosecuting
authorities and he would have To take the risk
OF al arrest for forgery. Introducing such ad-
dltional risks into the business will make it
seem too desperate to many an Oldtime voter
on dead mems names or the names of imaginary
inmates of downtown lodging houses
If the voter is illiterate the new law requires
him on registering TO make his mark and TO
answer Il series Of questions which have to be
answered again correctly on Election Day
Without active collision the part of the cleo
ton officials an impostor would find it difficult
to make his answers-cOnstituting family rec
ord-correspond with the answers previously
given. Lack Of means OF Identification was the
weak point in the old voting system. Through
the notifications which are TO go into effect next
month the process will become exact and scien-
tifc. There will be DO room any longer for the
middleman who deals in voting residences. fcti-
tious registrations and foaters to run up
downtown district majority.
II has been shown by crcumstantial evidence
that in the Assembly districts below 18th street
the Democratic majorities are artificiaIly main
rainel at a high level. The Tammany prepo.t
Jerauce does not decrease. although the popu.-
ton has entirely changed and elements inimicaI
70 Tammany FALL are rapidly occupying that
section Ia the Hearst upheaval of 1865 the
downtown districts stood firm for Tammany
while every other section Ia Manhattan, The
Bronx Queens and Kings showed the effects of
a violent anti-Tammany reaction. The bona
fde voting population in the downtown Manhat-
tan districts was undoubtedly affected by the