New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-03
Republicans Ask
For Revival of
Convention Plan
County Committee Would
Have Candidates Passed
On at Primaries
Aids Women Watchers
Proposal to Return to Old
Form of Ballot Meets
with Disapproval

The Republican County Committee
adopted recommendations last night for
the amendment Of the election law pro-
viding for a return to the old conven-
ton system Of nominating party candl-
dates. with the limitation that the vot-
ors have the privilege Of passing upon
the candidates later at the primary
elections.
The committee also favored a recon-
mendation TO remove the limitation
. upon watchers at the polls, so that any
citizen Of the United States may be q
qualified watcher. This amendment
will place women watchers on a par
with the men. -
The committee disapproyed OF the
proposal TO return TO the old form OF
ballot which permits straight party
voting. II was decided to retain the
present Massachusetts ballot after a
long discussion.
The four proposed amendments were
incorporated in the report OF the com
mittee on amendments TO the election
law, which has had the matter under
consideration for several months, nav
ing held many public hearings. Inc
recommendations and minutes OF los
nights meeting will be sent TO the
Legislature and are expected to cause
a hard fight in that body.
Amendment Starts Debate
The first amendment proposed by the
law committee relative 10 a change IN
the ballot started a debate which lasted
for practically the three-hour session
of the committee. The other proposed
amendments were quickly disposed OF
by vote of reclamation. The vote on
the ballot amendment was taken on
minority report submitted by Gordon
Knox Bell, a member of the election
law committee. who opposed a return "a
the old ballot as "a step backward"
Mr.. Bell declared that the present
form of ballot would help the fusion
cause in the coming municipal election
He said that the straight party ballot
which enabled a man 10 vote by making
one mark, tended TO encourage laziness
stultify intelligence and create class
Of voters which was to be hoped would
soon disappear forever from the cleo
torate. Senator Ogden L. Mills, Repre-
sentative La Guardia and other speak
ers supported Mr.. Bell in his conten.
ton. Joseph Levenson, leader OF the I'd
Assembly District. ond Collin n. Wood
ward. leader of the 23d. led the fight
for a return TO the old form of ballot
declaring that under that system every
candidate on the ticket would receive
the straight party vote and there would
be no discrimination against individual
candidates.
Old Ballot Fought
81 object TO the adoption Of the Ole
ballot" said Senator Mills. because
IL proposes 70 reverse the position Of
the Republican party as expressed II
its Saratoga platform. Under TIT
present ballot the falling of IN th'
vote is in the Democratic ticket. The
old ballot helps the deadhead. y
In reply TO d question By the oppo'
sition, Senator Mills asked whether i
was more intelligent ito vote for
nan on his individual record or Il
vote for the picture of a bird? ?" 4
vote was finally taken on the cues
ton by districts and the recommen
dation of the Election Law Commit
tee was lost by 1913 TO 1913. Samue
s. Koenig, president OF the County
Committee, voted 10 retain the Mas
sachusetts ballot.
The County Committee adopted m
teen minor recommendations 70
amendments 70 the election law made
BY the Board Of Elections, whicl
we've estimated 10 save the county
Sf22. 500. The majority Of forty-on'
other minor amendments submitted
by the Honest Ballot Association, th'
Citizens Union and the City Club wer'
approved