The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-02-07
TO the People Of Ohio County.

measures which are pending III the leg
islative body.
It is my duty, then, to say to you
that measure is now in progress, ana
will probably pass the Legislature, the
effect of which will be to establish a
practical despotism in West Virginia.
| refer to the bill introduced Il few days
since by James II. Ferguson, Esq, to
provide "for the registration of quail
fed voters of this State.''
BY this bill it is provided, {section ~
that the Governor, on or before the first
day Of March in every year, shall APP
point five persons in eaeh county to
constitute Board of Registration and
section 23) that he may remove such
Board or any member thereof, and fill
the vacancy, whenever he deems it
proper to do So
The whole machinery is thus placed
under his control, to operate it as he
shall see fit; and the Boards OF Regis
tration selected by him and removable
at his pleasure, are by other provisions
Of the bill, vested with unlimited pow
er over your right of suffrage.
The bill provides (section 81 that the
Board shall meet ON or before the first
Monday in April 1861, for the purpose
of examining and correcting the regis
tfati0n OF voters in every township and
ward. 1t then proceeds: at shall be
their duty at such meeting to strike
from the register the names of all per-
sons who in their opinion are not enti-
tied to vote, and to add thereto the
names of all persons who in their opln-
ion are SO entitled" No provision is
made that the person whose name is to
be stricken from the register shall have
.;,rI,t 4 1a
opportunity to produce evidence and be
heard in defence of such right.
The opinion of the Board, upon an un-
known accusation, settles the matter,
and he will learn the result when he
goes to the polls.
The 18th section is still more explicit.
1t requires the Board of Registration to
hold ii meeting on the first Monday Of
September in every year, for the pur-
pose of amending and correcting the
last preceding registration. At such
meeting they shall, in the language of
the bill, s'strike from the previous reg
listers the names of ali persons who have
died or renewed, o,ld of0H other persons
trlaose names may for. o17y ctttse be, IN
their opinion, improperly thereon, and
shall add thereto the names Of all per-
sons who, in their opinion, are quail
fed voters.o
The registration act Of 1866 provided
(Seetion s. that "the party whose name
is proposed to be excluded shall have
due notice Of the time and place OF talk
ing the evidence to prove his disquali-
featiof, which evidence he Shall have
| the right 10 rebuff" This WAS honest
provision in the present bill is very sig
nifcant.
You are to have no notice that your
right is to be called in question-no OPP
portunity to produce evidence or to be
heard. It is not regarded in the present
bill as a question to be decided by evil
dence. These men, the appointees Of
the Executive and subject to removal
when he pleases, will have you COM
pctely in their power. They are au-
thorized to strike from the registers, or
add thereto, such names cts an their opin-
ion they shall deem proper, and you are
not to have even the poor privilege Of
being heard before this tribunal, such
as it is, You know when they meet,
and you hear after they have adjourned
that your case has been decided.
And you have no appeal. Their de-
cision is final and conclusive.
1t is provided in the 4th Section of
the Bill that "The records of the said
Board shall have the same verify in all
respects as the records Of the Circuit
Courts of this State" This is technical
language. DO you know what it means?
1t means that you are never to be at lib
erty to deny or dispute any matter of
law or fact which it may be the pleas
ure OF the Board to enter upon their re-
cord against you. 1t will make no diff
ference though You may be able to pro-
duce the most overwhelming proofthat
the decision was erroneous. You are
bound-forever bound--by the record.
If they have put you down as % rebel
and traitor, . rebel and a traitor you
mus1 he.
And, rs if This was NOT enough, the
18th Section provides thai .'The Board
of Registration OF each county shall have
the sole jurisdiction to try and determine
the right of any person to vote therein
under the constitution and laws Of this
State, a'sd their decision thereon shall be
fa0t, except in eases OF contested cleo
lions before either House OF the i.egis-
iature."
This exception stands solitary and
alone. TIA candidate for the Legislature
contests the right his competitor to a
seat, he, may have the question between
| u ~