Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-03-03
ATTACK ON THE ELECTION LAWS

Let tho legislators beware how they handle the proposed amend
ments to the election laws. The subject is loaded with dynamite The
people re jealous of the advantages thus far gained N the 10 ho'
propose to submit to any backward legislation.
Under existing laws the political bosses are finding it more diff
cult to manipulate elections to suit their convenience. Ihey are III
ing the running of a campaign these days an extremely expensive prop
osihon. AT the same time they are finding it harder to secure large
contributions from the big interests seeking special legislation be-
cause they re unable to guarantee that they can deliver the goods IS
they could do in the old days.
The political machines manipulated by party bosses are hang
ing o by their eyeids, so to speak. They are fighting desperately to
Teen m their influence under the most trying conditions in the hope
Of persuading the people that political machines and corrupt poltf
clans exist just the SAINT under the new laws as they did before the new
election laws were in force. These politicians ire getting desperate,
however, for they know that they cannot keep up their bluff much
longer.
Unless the present election laws are changed in their favor many
Of the machines are going to cas- to operate and not a few Of the po
Itical manipuators n going to be out of business. 1t is not sur
prising therefore, to find politicians of both parties united on a pro-
gram this year, which, if it can be put through, will put them back IN
control of the party machinery, make it possible for them to once
more select their own candidates and see that they arc elected and
otherwise return to the old order of things.
The Jersey Journal, of Jersey City, sums up the program of the
bipartisan Plumber Bund, as they call it, as follows:
at intends to cut the heart out of the Geran act, the
direct primary system, by reviving the old convention sys-
1T intends to wipe out the Corrupt Practices act and
make huge campaign slush funds legal and thus open the
way for the control of primaries and elections by means OF
dsGres-7 ut intends to wipe out the present County Boards Of
fTSnegne9@S Elections named by the Supreme Court Justices and restore
rnge# the old system, by which the County Chairman picked ne
" members of the County Boards and loaded down the district
election boards with heelers and ward politicians
cit intends to raid the State and local treasures by the
passage of salary raises galore and by the creation of new
jobs wherever the opportunity presents itself
"n short, it is to be n great carnival of extravaganza
and machine legislation at Trenton"
But the people are being aroused and are raIyiss to the dsfssse
of their rights and privileges as thus far established. From Newark,
Paterson, Elizabeth, Trenton and other cities of the state the cry of
protest has been raised. Very shortly the legislators will begin to-
hear from their constituents, if they have not heard from them al
ready.
The people want constructive, not destructive legislation IN the
matter of conducting elections. A few amendments might be desir-
able in the election laws, but a must be taken what these amend
mcnts are The method of securing the soldier vote surely must be
remedied and here and there a few rough edges of the law IS they ex
list might be taken off provided a clean, smooth edge is left.
Perhaps the most important piece of Legislation affecting ec-
tions is the proposed constitutional amendment providing for the
election of assembymen by districts This, indeed, is a real strength
ening of the election laws.
The plan of LAYING school teachers act IS election officers worked
st well in those places where it wa given a real trial that a law
might well be passed, providing that school teachers, including women,
lie employed exclusively as election officers at the polls o election
DAYS. Those places where school teachers we're engaged for this work
last year had the most orderly election they have experienced. Be-
sides, the count was promptly and accurately made to the satisfaction
of all. If any thing is to be done to the election laws, this, indeed, is
something worth while extending.
To think of reviving the old boss owned political convention sys
tenn; to legahze the huge campaign slush funds; to restore to the
county chairmen and county boards of the respective political par
ties the privilege of loading down the district election boards Wit
heller and politicians, is preposterous. The people will never stand
for such a thing These III days of progress, not for going backward
This years raid o the election laws is like the dying gasp of the
"nng' leaders and it is not surprising that the ''old Guards" of both
parties are working hand in glove for the emasculation of these acts
that, if continued in force, mean the end of their power.
The eyes of the people will be on the members of the legislature
when they come TO vote on the proposed amendments to the election
laws Many regulations are at stake. Especially will the Mddlesex
delegation be affected as all are just beginning their political careers
All m clean cut young men, standing high in their respective COM
mnntics and thus far have earned the greatest praise for the manner
in which they have conducted themselves. We do not for an instant
believe that they are going to risk wreeking their future ON this rock
of juggling the election laws as is proposed by the program of the BIZ
partisan machine now attempting TO run things at Trenton >
Senator Brown in particular, owes his present success TO the di
rect primary. Ii no secret that he a not a favorite with certain
powers in the Democratic ranks in this county and had the old con
senhon system been in vogue he would hardly have had a chance. The