Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-02-05
NEW REGIsTRY Law.
RADICAL pEspHRAT1eN.

must be curtailed. Another law has been in
troduced, and this shuts out all who by any
possibility might have Srspt In through the
crevtces of the old law. We have not room
for the entire bill we wouldn't publish it if
we had. We are tired chrohicling the acts
of this nest of political pirates. Below will
be found an exposition of this infamous bill
which owes its paternity to Jim Ferguson,
the man who stole the carpet bag and over
coat. The exposition is drawn with clear
ness and impartiaiity which should entitle it
to consideration and weight with every nun
who values his liberties:
To the People Of West Virginia.
Upon extraordinary occasions it becomes
the duty of the Representative to inform the
people of the nature of the measures which
are pending in the legislative body.
1t is my duty, then, to say to you that u
measure is now in progress, and will probably
pass the Legislature, the effect of which will
be to establish practical despotism in West
Virginia. refer to the bill introduced few
days since by james II. Ferguson, ESQ, to
provide "tor the registration Of the qualified
voters of this State"
=, ~ ~ N'-A ~ - -OEIoeu, lsectlon L: tnat
the Governor, on or before tie first day of
Marchin every year, shall appoint five persons
IN each county to constitute Board of Reg
istration; and (scction 23) that he may re-
move such board or any member thereof, and
I'LL 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 Registration selected by
him and removable at his pleasure, are by 9th
or provisions of the bill, vested with unlim-
tied power over your right Of suffrage.
The bill provides (scction 81 that the Board
shall meet on or before the first Monday in
April, 1867, for the purpose of examining
and correcting the registration of voters in
every township and ward. It then proceeds:
est shall be their duty at such meeting to
strike from the register the names of all rcr-
sons who in their opinion arc not entitled to
! vote, and to add thereto the names of all per.
sons who III their opinion are SO entitIcd.''-
No provision is made that the person whose
name is to be stricken from the register shall
have notice that his right is disputed, or an
| opportunity to produce evidence and be heard
IN defense of such right The opinion of
the Board, upon an unknown accusation, set
ties the matter, and he will learn the result
when he goes to the polls.
The 18th section is still more explicit It
requires the Board Of Registration to hold
meeting on the first Monday of September
in every year, for the purpose of amending
and correcting the last preceding registration
At such meeting they shall, in the langtdge
of the bill, ''strikc from the previous registers
the names of all persons who have died or
removed, and of all other persons s1hose
names may for any cause he, an their opinion,
improperly thereon, and shall add thereto
the names of all persons who, in their opinion,
are qualified voters"
The registration act of 1866 provided (Sec-
ton 81 that "the party whose name is pro-
posed to be excluded shall have due notice of
the time and place of taking the evidence to
prove his disqualification, which evidence he
shall have the right to rebuff" This was
honest and fair. The omission of any SINH
lar provision in the present bill is very sig
| nifcant.
You are to have no notice that your right
is to be called in queston-no opportunity
to produce evidence or to be heard. 1t is not
regarded in the present bill as a question to
be decided by evidence. These men, the
| appointees of the Executive and subject to
removal when he plcases, will have you com"
| pletcly in their power. They arc authorized
TO strike from the registers, or add thereto.
such names as an their opinion 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 decision
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 1t means! 1t means that you are never
to be at liberty to deLy or dispute any matter
otlaw ortact which itmay be the pleasure oft
Board to enter upon their record against YOU.
1t will make no difference though YOU may
| be able to produce the most overwhelming
| proof that the decision was erroneous. You
are bound-forever bound-by the record.
1T they have put you down as a rebel and
traitor, rebel and traitor you must be.
| And: as 1t this was not enough, the 18th
section provides that The Board of Regis
tration of each county shall have tie sole ill.,
TiSdic non to try and determine the right of
any person to vote therein under the consti-
tuition and laws of this State, and their de-
clSion thereon shall he final, except in cases
of contested elections before either House of
the Legislature"
| This exception stands solitary and alone.
If candidate for the Legislature contests
the right of his competitor to seat, he may
have the question between them decided by
the Senate or the House, consisting of such
member as the Governor and his Boards of
Registration have permitted to be elected
In all other cases there is no appeal from the
decision of the Board of Registration, how
ever monstrous the decision may be- 1t is
true, the Constitution provides that the Board
SunerVISOTS hn fI,o
election, qualifications and returns of their
own members, and of all county and town
ship officers But lis folly any longer to APP
peal to Constitutional nrnrisinns. 1Innn INV