Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1856-02-23

The Elective fgAEEcH1sE'-This boast
ed privilege Of American citizenship ha.
been most sttamettdly abused aud prostjtutet
else where as we'll as In this city. In the eity
OF New York the practice OF fraudulent va.
ting has become az common, that all parties
ase DESTROYS of ado,tlug some plan by which
the viijaineus outrage may he suppressed.
and it is generally admitted that a registry
law is the most ~efectual way to remedy tho
mischief. Sucn a law as experience has
proved is the only practical mode TO secure
the purity nj the franchise and ~aintain tho
rights of tho people in the exercise Of that
franchise. In many respects the state Of DO.
iiticai society IN New York is very analagou.
to that Of our own city They have not dis.
graced themselves and furnished the fair fame
of their city by breaking ballot boxes. but
thed lsposition and proeiivltY 10 fraud and yio-
ieHce al the polls are as apparent and rite
there as here
A bill has been introduced by Mr., Brooks
in the senate Of that State entitled "AnAet
TO secure the Purity Of Elections in the city
Of New York We require precisely such
d law for the city of New Orleans, and the
very same arguments used by Mr.. Brooks in
pressing his btIl upon The consideration of his
colleagues. apply with equal force 10 the con-
,jition Of things with us. The same prac-
tee prevails here OF iawfess aud corrupt ya-
ting IN two or more, and perhaps iii all the
wards or precincts of the, Prosecutions Tor
such illegal voting are Of rare occurrence,
I for where = fraud Is lntsGded. detection be-
/ comes extremely dltfcult-hrst from the ex-
trenic caution OF the guilty party to escape
exposure, and secondly, because there are few
citizens whose public iPirit prompts them
to engage in the unpleasant labor OF prose-
cutIon and exposure. The law mus. act as
the remedial measure, or there is no remedy.
II the right to vote IS worth anything, it il
worth the little trouble of visiting some con-
venient place, at some convenient time. ex-
tending over several weeks previous to the
election, for the purpose Of recording the
name and residence VI the voter. A wise
man should value his own political rights by
the fruits resulting from his own exercise Of
acquired privileges, but Mat which has cost
hlm, il an American citizen, twenty-ons
years existence, a pEotracted State and coun-
~ residence, and 4 home Of some sort fer a
limited term Of days in the district where he
votes. may he Il power exercised by another
without any political qualifications wha!so-
ever.
AS Mr. Brooks remarked, IN this State and
country every man. acquires the Hghts Of
Ci'iESisHiP 81 eoStiF ftdI Ap PiEt~att tnh y
offered for lot s1diug, IN every wholesome
legislation, to protect 1t from abuse. Inc
proposed law cncroaches upon no Constits-
tlonaI privileges and interfeTes with 10 naiu'
raj or acquired rights.
We sincerely hope that the Democratic
rarity, winch is now in the ascendancy vii
secure the passage Of a law watch will have
the effect ot removing the grievances attend
in, AL our elections and which have become
SO giaring and lntosegable as to render I'M
Bulletin.