Eastern times., 1855-09-06
Naturalizsd Citizens.

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Having been frequently applied to by adopted
citizens, who were unable from a variety of
causes TO present their naturalization papers to
the Aldermen, in accordance with the require
ments of the outrageous, and as we believe,
unconstitutional .salien law" passed by the
last Legislature, for advice as for the best course
for them 10 pursue in order to test the validity
of the law, and to secure their votes, we will
state briefly our views upon the subject.
BY the first section of this law, it is enacted
ssthat no person Of foreign birth, ,>who shall
claim the right TO vote by reason of natMaliza-
ton papers, &C., shall have the right to vote,
unless three months, at least, before the day
of election, he shall produce and exhibit to the
Aldermen, said naturalization papers, &c.
Section I'd. provides that if the Aldermen
are not satisfied that the papers are genuine,
&c., they need not enter the name in the book
required to be kept for the purpose, or upon
the check list, but such person 'sshaN not be de-
prfred Of The rigM 10 rote BY reason Of his name
not being entered in said book, but his right to
rote shall be determined IN THE SAME MANNER
1T WOULD BE IF THIS ACT HAD NOT BEEN
PASSED."
The last clause Of this singular enactment
places such adopted citizens as have presented
their papers, but hare not been able to satisfy
the aldermen that the papers were genuine, or
were issued to them, in the same position they
would be in if this law had never passed. In
other words, the rights of persons who have
exhibited themselves in doubtful character,
to say the least, are very singularly exempted
from the operation of the law: that is, in the
language of the act itself, ',their right to vote
shall be determined in the same manner it
would be. if this act had not been passed.
Upon looking over this law carefully, we
think that it is the veriest humbug and scare
crow ever enacted; and that those who passed
it more than suspected it would prove so.-
They therefore put in that final clause TO pre-
vent any of their town officers being entrapped
into so denying citizens oftheir rights, that they
would have to pay the penalty for the wrong.
1t will be well for them, if they heed this in
timation not to press the matter too far, but TO
decide the right of persons as if the law had
never, been passed, for such to our view, is
clearly their duty.
Section lst, Article I'd, of the Constitution
of Maine, provides that "every male citizen of
the United SAFES of the age of twenty-one
years and upward, excepting paupers, persons
under guardianship and Indians not taxed, hav-
ing his residence established in this state for
the term of three months next preceding any
election, shall be an elector for Governor, Sen
dtors and Representatives. in the town or planta-
tion where his residence is so established.
Section lst, Chap. 5, of the Revised Stat
utes, requires that s'the Selecimen of every
town shall, on or before the llth day of Au-
gust in each year, make out correct Alpha
betcal list of such inhabitants OF their respect
i've towns, as shall appear to them to be Con-
stitutiondlty qualified TO vote in the election of
Governor, Senators and Representatives in the
State Government.
And section 5 of the same chapter, requires
that ''Selectnen at any regular session for cor
recting such list, shall place thereon The name Of
euery person knOion by, or proped TO than TO be
qualified as aforesaid, whether such person ap-
plies therefor or noi.''
Section SO of the same chapter imposes upon
any select man or other town or city officer,
who shall wilfuly neglect refuse /, perform
aov of the duties required Of him By the oonsti-
tuition of this State, by the several provis-
ions of this chapter fine of not less than fifty
nor more than five hundred dollars, and impris-
onment in the county Jail mol longer than nine
nor less than three months for each offence.
Now unless The laD passed by that very wise,
liberal and astu,e body, the last truly know
nothing legislature, has annulled a plain and
express provision Of the Constitution Of our
state, every male citizen of the United States,
tweniy-one years old, not under guardianship
not pauper, nor Indian not taxed, having his
residence established in this city for three
months next preceding the tenth day Of Sep
iember," shall be in the language Of the consll-
tuition 'an elector or voter for Governor. sena-
tors or representative - and the Alderman
must place his name upon the list, upon proof
of these facts as required by law, or subject
themselves To the penalties we have above sta
ted.
To enforce this duty still more pointedly, the
62d section makes the commission nf this Of
fence evidence that it was done corruptly, un-
less the contrary be made to appear !; aud ex-
cepts it from the rule requiring the corruption
and wilfully oppressive character of the act to
be proved by the agrieved party.
Under these circumstances, the course of ev
cry adopted citizen is plain. Present yourself
accompanied by witnesses, before the Alder
men exhibit your papers and demand tha
your name be placed upon the list Ii this be
refused, present yourself at the polls in your
ward, exhibit your papers to the warden, and
claim befure witnesses, your right TO vote. II
the warden refuse 10 receive your vote, there
will be a committee appointed in each ward, Ia
receive all such and preserve them, with the
names of parties presenting them.
We do not believe the Aldermen will refuse
TO enter the names of those who show them
selves TO possess the requisite constitutional
qualification for electors but if they do, the
remedy is plain and sure. The Aldermen will
have to suffer the penalty for their wrong, ant
the votes will be returned with proof Of the
facts, and whl be counted with the other lesa
votes.
C." Honest" Joe of the Bangor Jefferso
nian, turns up his nose at the i" republican
party being called an ''aboliion" party. HI
accuses Judge Wells of falsehood because he
called it thus. And yet in another pars of The
same paper he acknowledges relationship to the
abolition leaders as follows -
The pious Argus speaks Of !" those distin
gnished philanthropisls, Rev. Mr. Peck. Rer
Mr.. Wiley and others in connection with thu
word hemp
SKIES BRIGHT IN THE EAsT-A frient
writes the Argus, from Frankfort, that " th'
result of the election in this whole region will
certainly happily disappoint the most sanguin'
expectations of Mr.. Wells most ardent sup
porters.
81 We learn that VIM. Purington, Esq.
has been nominated by the citizens of Bow