The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1865-07-29

JOHN T. ENSOR, Secretary.
July 15.-2t.
Gov. Bradford on the Registration
i2sfe of Voters.
In reply to inquiries from E. L. Parker, ESQ.,
one of the Registers of the 9th district of this
county, Gov. Bradford has made thorough
review of the Law, and his opinion on various
points of Importance have been published
Attorney General Randall has expressed his
approval of these opinions, and they will be
found of interest to citizens as we'll as to the
Registry Boards.
From careful investigation of the meaning
and intent of the Registration act, the Govern
or concludes that though there is no express
authority for the Boards to appoint aclerk, the
right is clearly implied by the necessities that
arise in the execution of the law. Moreover,
the said clerk would be clearly entitled tocom-
pensation ITO be provided in the same manner
as that for the officers of Registration 1t is
also maintained that the Boards have right
to procure appropriate places for meeting, the
remuneration therefor to be provided by the
county and city authorities. z91 go I'LL
In regard to the requirements in the fifth sec
ton of the act-to ascertain and register the
names of every white male person-the Gov
ernor construes the language, from its relative
connection and from con parison with other
clauses bearing upon it, to imply that the Off
GERS are not to register names from recollection
or presumption, but only the names OF those
claiming the right. and personally reporting at
the Office of the Registers in order that they
may take the oath Of allegiance prescribed IN
the law and the Constitution. 1t is shown fur
Their that if the officers have any doubts in re-
ference to the eonclusiveness of the oath, it is
their duty to diligently PROFOUND such inter-
rogatories as will elicit more fully and partlc-
ularly either the applicants right Of suffrage
or his disqualification therefor. Even then,
sound discretion is to be exercised as to the
character and purport Of the answers given,
and if adjudged not altogether satisfactory, the
right Of the applicant may be rejected
aUpon the delicate question of matual inter-
positve- ne. he General and Stats Govern
judgment of his conclusions, we quote the I'M
equivocal language of his letter. For the re-
ference and guidance of the Registry Officers,
so distinct an utterance is very important
Says the Governor 96IAtggs gg-asv
-fThe question has been suggested s'whether
the special pardons now being granted by the
President to those participating in the recent
rebellion could not have the effect of restoring
the right of franchise to those disqualified by
that act I" Ianswer no, and that neither the
proclamation of the President, nor an act of
Congress could make any one qualified voter
in this State, who, by the Constitution of the
State, is declared to be disqualified. On the
other hand, no such proceedings on the part Of
the General Government can deprive a citizen
of Maryland of the elective franchise unless
the State Constitution has made similar pro-
vision, and, therefore, though by an act Of Con-
gress passed in March, 1865, and promulgated
byaproclamationo of the President of the United
States, of the 18th of that month, it was declar-
ed that deserters and persons leaving the State
to avoid the draft should forfeit their right of
citizenship; yet, inasmuch as our Constitution
makes no provision for excluding such persons
from the right of suffrage, they would still, if
obnoxious to no Constitutional prohibition, be
entitled to registration" gA
The Governor then refers to certain disquali-
fcations specifedin the third and fifth sections,
the former referring to those who have been
convicted of infamous crime and who have not
obtained Executive pardon, and the latter to
those who have been detected in election bril-
berry and frauds. The officers are reminded
that according to the Constitution these class
es of offenders can only be DISTINGUISHED upon
the proof of their conviction in court of law
The solutions thus given to the difficult ques-
tions which have perpIexed the Officers of Reg
istration will be highly acceptable to them,
and highly interesting to voters. In theorgan-
ization of new departments in our political
structure embarrassing points necessarily arise,
and he whose craftsmanship practically over
masters them is the man for the emergency.
In this connection we would also take the
liberty of suggesting to Union men, the impor-
lance of going before the Boards and having
their own names registered, as well as of maxi
ing active efforts to bring out all others who by
reason Of negligence or want of proper infor-
nation, fail to attend. .fe
Hereafter no person can vote in this State
who is not properly registered, and no person
can be registered without going before the Board
of his district and claiming that privilege
Loyal men should also make it a point to aid
the Registers by giving them information Of
disloyal persons, so that they may at all times
have such evidence before them as may be ne
eessary for the proper discharge Of their duties.
1911 $1,000
PENNA FEMALE MEDICAL COLLEGE. We have
received copy of the Address delivered at the
opening Of the last session OF this Institution To-
Gated at Philadelphia. The degree Of NJ. D. was
upon three Young ladies at the close Of
The session. The class consisted of % members
The sixteenth annual Session commences, Oct |
9Th, 1865. We are glad to see that it is beconl-
ng popular for ladies to turn their attention to
he practice of medicine since ii is so peculiarly
heir sphere to relieve suffering and minister to |
he dying. .fse
e