The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-03-10

AS"0o AL POi o"hv VI tut dctS OF the late
session, that registry law was framed
and passed in accordance with petitions
from the people, unprecedented in
number, signed by thousands of voters.
without distinction of party, that meets
and obviates all such objections. It's,
without doubt, the most perfect ever
enacted, and reflects credit npon the
Attorney General, from which it eman-
ated. Upon trial, it will be found to
be practicable in its details and efficient
in its results, giving by its provisions,
as little trouble to the voter and adding
as light burden to the present obliga-
tions of the citizen, as is practically
consistent with the safety of his right
of suffrage.
With some mistaken impression
prevails, that this means imposes upon
the voter something not authorized by
the constitution-some new qualifica-
ton. Instead of so doing, the object
of the law, as plainly expressed in its
terms, is simply to protect the honest
Uotea. in the exercise of this inestimable
right, land that, too, with very little
trouble to himself-simply the record
ing of his name, } and furnish additional
facility for detecting the false coter and
the imposter.
This measure was not only demanded
as a protection against the wrongs and
evils of false voting, but is plainly in
accordance with the letter and spirit
of the constitution, which provides
that "the Legislature may pass laws to
preserve the purity of elections and
guard against the abuse of the elective
franchise" This provision has at
length been performed, in manner to
which we think no honest voter will
take exceptions-for it seems like cov-
ering the elective franchise with COLI
tempt 10 say of its possessor that he
values it too lightly to be at the trouble
of simply recording his name in book
An idea prevails that the ceremony of
registration has to be repeated before
every election. If this were so, it
would indeed be serious grievance
to the voter. But, on the contrary,
the law requires but one registration
while he remains in the same township
or ward. A new registration is neces-
sary only on his removal to another
town. Il UOter once registered Is reg
istered for life, and need aaecer think Of
the matter again, unless he renaooes out
Of has aoard or toacoship.
1t is also to be observed that the act
-
the native and the naturalized citizen,
either in respect to the duty or forms
of registration. Great care has been
taken, also, to make the law in all it's
workings, as simple and inexpensive as
possible.
This act will not take full effect till
1860, and no registration will be re-
quired the present year, during which
the old system will alone prevail. The
law, however, provides for the COM
mencement of registration in the town
ships on the day of the next April
election, at which time the Treasurer
of the townships will receive the names.
In the cities, registration will com
mence on the first day of October
next, in pursuance of regular notice to
be given by the Alderman. Space will
not permit us further to go into the
details of the act.
We sincerely commend this measure
to the candid consideration and eXami-
nation Of every man to whatever politi-
cal party he may belong.
! The opening of the session of 1853
was ,,,cnked forward to by the enemies
of the Repuoiicc.an party as the occa-
sion of serious breacn in its organl,
zation. 1t was confidently asserted
that the conflict of interest and personal
feeling arrayed in the Senaro,iai eiec-
ton would disorganize and distract tno
party. Schemes were matured to take
advantage of the first manifestation OF
intestine strife and control it to the
party's downfall Such, happily was
not the result. They reckoned with
out their host" The Republican force
stood firm to man. Strong as were
the personal and local preferences OF
some, they were eheerfully given up
the moment it was known clearly upon
whom the suffrages of the majority
would fall, and the Republican minority
WED with that majority to carry out
the will of the people as there expressed,
by an unanimous vote Tor United States
| Senator.
Since that event, which was accom-
plished within the first four days OF the
! lSpSSiOn-thpre hos hpap the most Der-
feet harmony and nnanimity in the
work of legislation, and in all the meas
ures of wisdom and progress which it
was determined should mark the Re-
publican administration of the State OF
Michigan This harmony has been
not that of men controlled by any
clique or faction, or committed to a
line of policy they did not approve, by
a system of party drill, but harmony
resulting from full and frank expires,
sion of the views and wishes of every
individual Republican member of the
Legislature, settling down after a free
discussion upon that line of policy
which, in the view of all, would result
in the C greatest good to the greates1
number" Well may the party in
power place the seal of its entire ap
probation upon both its Executive and
! Legislative administration.
! People of the State of Michigan, al
important work awaits you = no less
than the choice of the head of the
State Judiciary. How important 9