Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-04-01


principle Of universal suffrage, and most properly
leading to its rejection.
The proposed Registry Act contains none Of these
OBJ oxious features. 1t creates no new quail fcaton
unknown TO the constitution it does not require the
possession Of property, the payment OF money or
taxes nor the performance Of any personal rvice,
except that imposed by the Constitution of establish
ing by proper proof right to vote as citizen OF
this State This is labour which in the >usidera.
ton OF that instrument every claimant to the privi-
ege Of citizenship would gladly undergo, for surely,
unless the right we're of sufficient consequence to
compensate the proof its existence, could hardly
be deemed a franchise Of great value. What should
be proper proof was clearly entrusted to the discre
ton of the leg stature, and 1t is difficult to perceive
how exercise Of that discretion thus explicitly
granted can be esteemed an Infringement Of the Con-
stitution.
Ii is objected that the present statutes sufi
cienily and thoroughly effective in he prevention
fraud, but n is matter Of public notoriety that
victons 10 an unusual extent occurred under their
penalties subsequent TO the late elect ons show ing
conclusively that though they were partially con /.
ducive TO The punishment of fraud they not ef
eetiye in its prevention hut another diic atty Of
lar greater weight arose under the practical opera
tons OF the law in the delay necessarily occasoned
by the Interrogation of voters, and thus in several
Wards hours elapsed before they could reach the
polls, while in Others at the close OF the election
many were entirely debarred from deposting their
ballots. With respect TO the local charac Of the
Registry Act it is sufficient answer that il is re
quise for the purify of elections in this city, and
we are called By no considerations TO reject its
|
| other portions of the St~e
Finally it is objected that this statatc has not been
required by the city. The reply to- chs position
not only exists in the petitions of 20 900 of our c
gems differing in political opinions, but also upon the
public records Of the city. in the year 1884 the
following resolution duly passed by the Com.
mon Council and approved by tie aiayor.
"Resolved, That the Counsel BE- quested to pre.
sent an application TO the Legislature, praying the
passage of a law authorizing tn Common Council
to pass such ordinances may be necessary TO pre-
| ..lc oft ols
and to ascertain who are legal voters within the
City and County of New York, by registering the
votes or Otherwise
| and in the same year report was presented to
| the Board Of Aldermen bv the Law Committee
| based npoa similar resolution, and containing a
draft OF law directing registry of votes with the
Clerk of the County fifteen DAYS before each esc.
tion, requiring the attendance of each eecor at the
City Hail. instead of places convenient 10 his re-
sidence syststa far more onerous than the one nor
proposed, AND presenting adequate advantage.
In opposition to these vague and unsubs tantial
il is but just that the impor ant AL vanages
flowing from the contemplated statate should receive
their due weight The wards are divided into sa2all
and nv ni.nt Districts, thus promoting economy of
time and facility of access. In consequence of this
division and the speedy reception # votes. already
registered but day will be required for the cleo
tion and the excitement cident TO prntracted
contest of three days be precuded ard t. tho great
body Of the people always interested in the result
large portion of time be saved. The times of open
ing and closing the eolis are specifically determined,
and the powers OF the inspectors enlarged TO tho
purpose of preserving peace and free access. Ike
election Of these officers aud Of the Registers pro
vded for in such manner that the minority shall
always elec one esnectiyely. The canvass is ma
without adjournment. and thus all tlmpe inc with
the ballot boxes prevented The Regi try beng
required to be made aud revised a short period be-
fore the election, temporary EN-. grafton from one
ward to another, with the fraudulent purpose Of dis
honestly influencing particular districts of the city,
W. be wholly precuded Rut the most jude ious
re gu ations relate to the Registry. The commits
| x,o cit durinU pls AL
ample time is allowed for all classes TO secure the
exercise of their franchise. They are in session
also during the election TO provide tor of sick
ness sence, and the alta nment OF the right of ci
tzenship subsequent TO the Registry. The Registry
is also published, so that fraudulent claims may
come to the cognizance OF those able to detect aud
disprov them.
| Free from the hurry and embarras sments con
nectcd with excited contest at the polls, the
claimant will receive that careful juiic consIde
ton, which the importance Of the privilege he seeks
TO exercise, should properly deserve. II singular
that amidst such professions Of attachment for the
elective franchise, in emperate declarations shouii
be urged against this simple provision calculated
well TO preserve its integrity that when in the ju
die al nation OF questions far less important
tae order and solemnity Of proceedings are consi-
dercd as desirable, the momeutous decision Of the
highest right known to our laws has so long been
made with nnbecoming haste. frequently under he
influence Of intimidation and by regulations so loo
and vague to afford the strongest temptations I,
| fraud and perjury ltwosld seem as If the opinion
had prevailed that the valuable the privilege
the less proof should exist Of its POSSESSION, and
instead OF its grave and sacred chara ter tending
the requisition Of Just evidence, il seems to have
been an argument for throwing wide the doors tn IL
legality and corruption. No good and ionest citi-
zen acquesce in these doctrines, and il wor-
thy Of CIRCULATION that with mutual federation and
forbearanco in political sentime nts party pre- ,ud
have been partially abandoned upon this great ques
ton.
"Rcpublic ami SIN is founded in virtue" and we have
less 10 fear from open attacks upon our critics than
from under cur ents Of corruption sweeping away
the only remedy Of oppression lett to the people
In those periods Of great public excitement, when
the Of political strife is subjected to sudd,n
and vioert agitation, the purity OF elections is our
| only s,fecuard
t. all who are impressed with the deep solemn j.
| ty of the duty incumbent upon those who revere
the laws to stand forth at this period in their pro
lection ~ - urged that they be mindfal 81 their
high responsibilities citizens. aud with common
sense Of the inestimabe value Of the elective fran
chse 20 sustain its exercise in all due honesty and
purity.
| II is principle IF momcntous magnitude, lying at
the very foundation of all civil aud political free
d IN, perRicous when fraudnlently and corrupty
ercised but OF precious worth in its legitimate
ton.
With these views, the proposed Registry Act is
earpe.ty commended To- your calm aud iudicious
consideration under the cons cousncss that u will
asrd the highest protection To the right Of uHiver
sal suffrage and secure il from violence corruption
asd fraud.
The meeting was then briefly addressed by Hugh
Maxwell, Esq and the following resolutions, read
| by Addison Doushsrty, Esq, were received with
| overwhelming applause, and unanimously adopted,
viz:
| Resolved, That e all the duties devolving upon
us as citizens Of free and Heightened nation, there
are none Of more solemn importance than those
| - "a calI uesp tn