The Placer herald., 1866-04-28
For the Placer Herald.
The Registry Law.


The Registry Law.
Mesws. Editors:-As many of your read
ers may be in doubt about the operation of
the Registry Law, passed at the last session
of the legislature, would call the attention
Of all concerned, and for the purpose of com.
plying with the law, would urge every cit
zen to register his uame on the Assessors
list.
Section two, of said Act, expressly pro-
,ides that "every domioiled nhabitant of the
County, who by virtue of bis citizenship,
lawful age, aud other qualifications prescrib-
cd by the Constitution, is, or may be, within
six months a qualified voter thereof" shall
register his name with the Assessor for the
purpose of having it properly placed on the
Great Register of the County. Under
this section none are exempt.
Sections, six. seven aud eight, make it the
duty latter registering as above provided" )"
of naturalized citizens to present their "natu'
ralization papers to the Clerk or County
Judge" in the County where they reside, or
failing to present such evidence, must bring
two registered citizens to prove tha: they
have been reputed citizens for five years, and
in this State at least one gear preceding the
election at which they wish to vote. Citi-
zens born upon the "soil" are not compe lied
to 90 beyond their oath given to the Asses
sor, which is considered under the law suffi
cient for all purposes, but the "naturaized
citizen" must give the proofs above required.
Whatever may have been the motives of our
Legislature, it is evident they desired to re-
instate the old Know Nothing doctrine Of
min hat all
zens-un justfable, as it is unjust.
That the ballot box should be protected
against frauds, is just and wise. The ballot
is sacred right, dear to us all, but when
distinction is made after citizenship, the un
fortunate being born outside of our terrific
rial limits must conclude that the great
State of California has drawn a distinction
never thought of BY the Federal Constiu-
ton or the Fathers" who originated the
Constitution of our Union.
What will an adopted citizen say, when
| the oath of his more fortunate companion is
preferred to his OWE! One swears he was
born within the limits of the United States
and the other swears to his citizenship, but
the Assessor tells him, under this ldW, be
must 90 to the Clerk OF County Judge
The Assessor has nothing more to do than
10 swear him. and make bis return to the
Clerk accordingly. If the unfortunate APP
pcant has lost his papers he must send to
the court where he got them aud obtain a
certified copy. An alien who claims citi
senship BY vi;tue of his minority at the time
his father was naturalized, must prove such
to be the case If his father resides in close
proximity it is we'll enough, but take the
majority of this class in California, and how
is it possible for them to prove this? Those,
whose parents are dead, may find the greatl
est difficulty in getting the proper evidence.
| In the event of failing they are debarred from
this prerogative Of citizenship. How many,
who are anxious, will ever be able to obtain
the proofs required by this lava 1t will be
next to impossible for citizens of this class,
who have formerly resided in the States
where rebellion has existed for the last FIVE
years. and where the records have been de
stroyed, to give the required evidence. In
this case California has declared they shall
not exercise the rights which belongs to
them as adopted American citizens. Is this
justice? and will any fair mon sustain par
ty who will adopt and and maintain such an
infamous law. ARGUS.