The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-16
BRITT FAYORS PUBLIC
BUILDINGS FOR POLLS
Head Of Election Board Want,
Legislation Authoriy-
ing Change.
URGES STATE MEASURE
Suggests Use Of Court Houses
and ArmOries as Well
as Schools.

J. q. Britt. president OF the Board n,
Elections, issued q statement yesterdsv
arguing for State legislation that would
provide for the use OF public building
not only In this city but throughout m.
state for election purposes We think,
that the return to the schoolhouse 40 ths
centre Of political activity would be q
splendid thing.
Mr.. Britt 10 apparently ansered By
statements In newspapers TO the e,.c
that the Board Of Education has sane.
toned the use Of public schools as polling
places. He says that something more
than mere sanction must DO obtained.
that legislation Is necessary.
I'VE already have insisted that leg,s.
latlon is necessary" he says In his state.
ment. I'VE never have been opposed to
the use OF public buildings and public
schools as polling places, and let 1t b
noted that tho Board Of Elections nov
takes initiative in that matter.
waats Action ~ Lsstslatsrs.
"Our position 10 Just this Before using
any public building for a polling plas
we deem It only prudent to have the
rights of this board definitely set forth
by statute, so that we may not be merely
occupying space on federation and subjec,
to caprice or notions Of a departmen,
head or subordinate thereof. II seems 70
us that II the matter 10 worth going into
at all the proper step would be 70
have the Legislature amend the law %
az to give US the absolute right 10 take
| ~ In y,,htiN h,,iid
for the proper discharge of our duties and
also provide that any and all oficisls
must aid this board In the matter u
details.
This would be simply In keeping with
section 1879 OF the election law, which
states In detail the manner In which the
Police Commissioner must cooperate with
this board In the performance OF /.
duties. Another and rather serious ques-
ton arises which 1t In we'll to consider.
Section III OF the election law requires
that the public copy of registration shall
be left In prominent position In he
place OF registration from the first Day
OF registration until election day and shall
at all reasonable times be open To- pubic
inspection and for making copies thereof.
"Who is going TO take care OF the pup
lie copy? VIII the Police Commissioner
detail IA policeman to safeguard the SAM
OF the public building? The statut' L.
Qulres that this copy be accessible =,
voters at all reasonable times for the pay.
pose OF making copies thereof The gues.
ton Is one which affects Tot mercy ne
public school system hut every other rub-
lie building In this city.
susGests Use of Court HOuses.
For instance: why not use the oJur,
house In the Borough OF Manhattlu io-
| Gated in West Fifty-fourth street !,
seems to ME that there Is plenty % good
space there for q polling place. How about
the court house in East fifty-sev,rth
street? How about the armories2 en-
continue to recite instances OF many oiAer
buildings throughout the city.
Speaking personally for myself. lold
that this lie n question which goes beyond
the confines OF New York city 1t l.
large idea we wish TO be the pioneers IN
the movement. which should become state
wide. l hope that this idea will be enacted
into general statewide amendment 20 the
| election law SO that all the public build
ings in the State OF New York Will he used
where available as polling places Tho
idea Is a good one.
Thine was when IN the early days 81
this country, especially In the New Eng
land States. the schoolhouse was the cer'
tire OF every public gathering and demon
| strstion. The return 20 these early IDEAS.
have no doubt, will make for the quick
| ening OF local civic pride. and under the
most favorable surroundings more .'-
| telligent solution OF the great public que.'
| lions which the electorate Is constantly
called TO pass upon