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Editorial
October 4, 1902
The Jersey City News
Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey
What is this article about?
Editorial laments the convoluted upcoming election ballot with many offices (Congressman, Sheriff, Assemblymen, etc.) and propositions (constitutional amendments, County Park Act, Excise Board, etc.), blaming Republican Meeker act for merging municipal and state elections, predicting voter confusion.
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THE OUTRAGEOUS TANGLE OF THE COMING ELECTION
If all the schemes, that are being hatched in various quarters, find place on the ballots, this coming election will be a funny one, and the count will be an all-night job for the election officers.
As it looks now there will be candidates for the following offices on every ballot: Congressman, Sheriff, twelve Assemblymen, two Street and Water Commissioners, one Alderman, five members of the Excise Board to serve in case of the ratification of the Aldermanic resolution; one Freeholder under the Jumbo system, nine Freeholders to serve in case of the acceptance of the Middlesex act, Justices and Constables.
Vote will also have to be taken on the following questions:-
1 - The adoption of three amendments to the Constitution, as advertised in another column of this paper.
2 - Upon the acceptance of the County Park Act, as provided by resolution of the Board of Freeholders.
3 - Upon the substitution of an elective Excise Board for the present appointive one, as provided by resolution of the Board of Aldermen.
4 - Upon the adoption of the One-Headed Street and Water Board plan, as provided by resolution of the Board of Finance.
5 - Upon the resubmission of the question of substituting a Board of Freeholders consisting of nine members elected at large for the old jumbo one of about thirty-four members. This vote is not yet provided for, but it ought to be and probably will be.
The average voter will be apt to need all the five minutes that the law allows him in the secret chamber of the voting arena to make up his mind as to the merits of these questions and to mark his ballot as required by law.
It appears to us that the conditions which confront us this election afford an additional proof of the folly and injury resulting from the combination of the municipal with the State elections, as brought about by the Republican party through the Meeker act last year.
If all the schemes, that are being hatched in various quarters, find place on the ballots, this coming election will be a funny one, and the count will be an all-night job for the election officers.
As it looks now there will be candidates for the following offices on every ballot: Congressman, Sheriff, twelve Assemblymen, two Street and Water Commissioners, one Alderman, five members of the Excise Board to serve in case of the ratification of the Aldermanic resolution; one Freeholder under the Jumbo system, nine Freeholders to serve in case of the acceptance of the Middlesex act, Justices and Constables.
Vote will also have to be taken on the following questions:-
1 - The adoption of three amendments to the Constitution, as advertised in another column of this paper.
2 - Upon the acceptance of the County Park Act, as provided by resolution of the Board of Freeholders.
3 - Upon the substitution of an elective Excise Board for the present appointive one, as provided by resolution of the Board of Aldermen.
4 - Upon the adoption of the One-Headed Street and Water Board plan, as provided by resolution of the Board of Finance.
5 - Upon the resubmission of the question of substituting a Board of Freeholders consisting of nine members elected at large for the old jumbo one of about thirty-four members. This vote is not yet provided for, but it ought to be and probably will be.
The average voter will be apt to need all the five minutes that the law allows him in the secret chamber of the voting arena to make up his mind as to the merits of these questions and to mark his ballot as required by law.
It appears to us that the conditions which confront us this election afford an additional proof of the folly and injury resulting from the combination of the municipal with the State elections, as brought about by the Republican party through the Meeker act last year.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Constitutional
Legal Reform
What keywords are associated?
Election Ballot
Constitutional Amendments
Excise Board
Freeholders
Meeker Act
Voting Complexity
What entities or persons were involved?
Republican Party
Meeker Act
Board Of Freeholders
Board Of Aldermen
Board Of Finance
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Complexity Of Upcoming Election Ballot And Criticism Of Election Combination
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Election Complexity And Republican Policy
Key Figures
Republican Party
Meeker Act
Board Of Freeholders
Board Of Aldermen
Board Of Finance
Key Arguments
Multiple Candidates For Various Offices Will Complicate The Ballot
Numerous Propositions Including Constitutional Amendments And Local Acts Will Require Extended Voting Time
Combination Of Municipal And State Elections Via Meeker Act Is Folly And Injurious