The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-12-21
DICKINSON SCORES
PAPER BALLOT AND
URGES MACHINES
Secretary of State Calls Direct
Primary System Bad and
Suggests Changes.
SAFEGUARDS AT POLLS
INADEQUATE, HE SAYS
Advises Separate Registration
Day for Primaries Two .
Weeks in Advance.
Especial TO the Evening star. |

Especial to the Evening stsr.l
TRENTON. Dec. 21.--In his annual
report regarding elections and voting
machines. Secretary of State Samuel
p. Dickinson takes occasion to forcibly
express his Views as to the form OF
ballot and primary election methods.
His report is filled with sharp comment.
He says:
"'rhe inadequacy of the present plan
of prin1arN registration should not be
longer overlooked If the party organ
isations are to be protected against
fraudulent voting there is as much
necessity for prediction registra-
tiea for urinary as for general cleo
efions. Fraudulent registration is toe
we'll known to 'necessitate comment
here.
eThc department suggests tho neces-
aitv of providing a separate registra-
tion de-, for the primary election at
least two weeks before such election
IS held. at which the voter shall also
register the name of the party in whose
box he intends to vote. Registration
for such an election, OF course, would
he valid for tho general election as
well. This would enable those interest
cd in party success TO purity the prl-
msr, registration lists in the same
manner in which they now do the cleo
tion reyisfration. No objection should
perhaps be made to registering voters
on primary day for the general eiec-
tion, but persons registered on that
day should not be entitled to vote at
the IFimary.
"A still better arrangement, though
nccessaiiIy more expensive. Would DE
ia conduct the primary registration az
4 rjnc when partisan contests 40 no'
occupy the public Iriind. perhaps IN tns
r., ne. Hhcn there would DC little II,
asttct incentive for talse reeisirstioh.
T'r, .apdct primary system of New
.Jerteev il: Reid TO be defective in certain
mate .ial respects by Gnlcnel l,tcllnson
chr, sava. 'rrhe abuse Of those in con
,r,l ot party organizations has III re-
,4at years naturally caused pro
nounco6 sentiment in favor of party
and primary reform
Tb~ Rich Candidate.
80 Perhaps the l11tSl iiib'' '"''' i'A . -
sars The secretary. lis the fairly wei
Snbstantiated one ths5 candidate o'
wealth is at a much greater iegitimate
advantage over his opponent III u'-
itct primary then at convention VI
delegates. The Costs of standlns as
candidate at a direct primary electioh
in one of our larger counties, Where
here is an active contest is almos'
nrohibitive to one without large means
nj suuport or a discipline organization
or some special interest concerned 1T
his choice \
The report says that the present va"
fails in it's requirements that names
g certified to the clerk Of the pontica
division in which the prospective can
didate for Office stands and TO ps
pIaced upon the official ballots for the
general election.
"There Is also no provision for tine
acceptance of the nomination OF
successful candidate, and IT Is NOT IND
propa bic that lesal proceedings mngh
have been takenSlast fall prohio'tint
the placing of name of snccessiu
nominee upon the official ballot, says
tho report. Moreover, under the presen'
act the county clerk, in cases o. nolni
,a.,ons certifies the result of the pri-
80 nor,inat,on to himself and thus
nrdeys himself to put certain names
mon mon, the election ballot. In case of his
orn nooination he would certify tc
,,is own candidacy to himself and au'
,horize himself to place his own name
nnon the official ballot, dual capacity
ia 4, principle and liable to lead tt
r,ous combinations.
.rrhe effect of legislation should Dc
neither to, eliminate party organiza-
,,ors nor to put them in the hands OF
ninorities or persons of wealth, but tt
make and keep them honest and truly
representative of the will of the mem
hers II is the opinion of this depart
n,ent that the suggested and othe'
changes will effect a substantial purin
cation of our party politics.