New-York tribune., 1908-01-04
AGAINST NEW BALLOT.
WADSWORTH SPEAKS OUT
Calls 1t No Reform-Raines Atso
Opposed.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune.l J


Albany Jan S-Speaker wadsworth to-day
declared frankly and vigorously against the
adopt,on of the Massachusetts, form of ballot
recommended by Governor Hughes again this
wear He EXPRESSED ample confidence In the
ability of the present ballot 10 meet the needs
of the electorate. and maintained that the Mass
achusetts ballot did not deserve Its reputation
as reform in election methods
Senator Raines leader of the upper house,
already has said that he never approved the
new ballot recommended by the Governor, so the
Speakers pronouncemenI to-day puts the lead
ers of both houses on record against the enact
Inent of any legislation on this subject They
are expressing only the sentiments known to be
held by a good part of the membership OF the
Legislature, so the prospects for a long and
bitter fight over this legislation are ample
L am not in favor of the Massachusetts bal
lot" declared the Speaker, because 1 do not
consider IL a reform. The arguments used in
favor OF the adoption of this system all advo-
cate il as a great Improvement on our present
system a reform Of benefit TO the voters and
the political system 1t is conceded that the
party emblem must be used in front of each
candidates TO make it constitutional In
this state because we have educational re-
Cuirement here, where they have in Massachu-
setts
Now, what under the is the difference
between an ignorant or illiterate voter putting
one mark under his party emblem and thus Vot-
ing the straigh; party ticket. and that same
voter following down the list Of candidates,
marking wherever he happens TO the eagle
or the star? One system takes a little more
time than the other, but it doesn't bring about
eny great reform that 1 can discover. / con-
slider our present ballot excellent
Have you any views as to a new form Of
ballot which might be substituted for the Mas
sachusetts ballot?" was asked.
'No. haven't" replied the Speaker. Il con-
slider the ideal ballot one which gives 10 the
partisan an opportunity to vote his straight
ticket with least effort, and TO the independent
an opportunity TO vote a split ticket with great
est ease and speed. This our present ballot
does well it be done There is an
other objection to the Massachusetts ballot-it
would be practically impossible TO adapt it TO
the voting machines Il would require two or
three times the number Of machines. making it
almost prohibitive. Voting machines are
used in the three largest upstate cities and in
goodly proportion Of the country towns. so
you can see what that would mean. 1 haven't
made any poll Of the House this proposition.
but I have discovered no enthusiasm for this
form OF ballot, and my impression would be
that the bin would be unlikely 10 pass"
The Speaker did not care TO discuss the Gov
srnor's renewed recommendation for direct
primary nominations. He would add opin-
ion as TO the merits of the Governors recon-
.nendation that racetrack gambling be abol-
sshed. He had no view to express, either, on
the Hughes Presidential boom. He prophesied.
though. that the telephone and telegraph COM
panies would be included within the jurisdic-
zion Of the Public Service commissions with
e.,
Governor Hughes's recommendations for the
adoption of the Massachusetts ballot and a sys-
TEN of direct primary nominations were defeated
last year. the latter at the end of the extra
sion after repeated and emphatic recommenda-
1ions for its enactment by the Governor State
Chairman Woodruff and Herbert Parsons were
credited with exerting their influence against it.
Those here who are closest TO the Governor
make it perfectly plain that he will fight for
the enactment of both these propositions into
law even more vigorously than he did last year,
and legislators already talking of the pos
sihility Of an extra session devoted to their dis
cussion Few have been found who will con-
cede the probability of the passage of such bills
at the regular session.
The opposition which will be engendered tow
ard other recommendations in the message will
be steered into cooperation with the opposi-
ton TO these two things. If some of the oldest
observers here are not greatly mistaken. 1t Is
q favorite trick of some of the Legislators to
fight one bill distasteful to them under cover Of
opposition another which may be more
less distasteful. 1t would not surprise the Gov
errors friends TO see people whose interests
would not be served by giving the Public Ser
vice commissions charge over telegraph and
telephone companies unite with the defenders
Of the present system Of racetrack gambling
to fight the Massachusetts, ballot and direct
primary nominations with the idea that they in
turn would gain help for their especial cam
paigns, and that the defeat OF one project OF
the Governors would weaken him on all others.
The Governor. il is known, is not shuddering
/ in the least at the storm Of opposition which
! most people foresee. He relies still on the sup
: port Of the public which swept the Public Ser
vice bills TO passage and believes that if his
policies command the sympathy Of the people
they, in turn. will demand that the legislators
place those policies on the statute books.
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