Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-03-27
"One Ballot Box and One Ballot


The Raleigh Standard of March 10th,
under the heading of ''One Ballot Box
and One Ballot" says
"We have reliable authority for stating that
there will be but one ballot box and one ballot for
Constitution, Ordinances and Officers. This will
be great advantage. It will save both time and
money. ALI that the voter will have to do will be
to vote single ticket, which contains the names
of all the candidates for whom he wishes to
vote"
The information above referred to was
the telegram sent by Mr.. Sweet of the
Convention, so-called, from Charleston, af-
ter a consultation with General CANDY,
which was read on Saturday night pre-
vious, by President Cowles, and which we
published with the proceedings of that
date.
Doubtless this arrangement, as we'll as
the time. was fixed up in Raleigh before
General CANDY was consulted, and we feel
confident that when the manifest injustice
is brought to the attention of that officer,
he will order the election very differently.
A profigate set of sharp politicians urged
this matter upon the District Commander
opportunity to become acquainted with, the
provisions of the proposed Constitution of
this State upon the question of suffrage );
and while these party tricksters may have
found an efficient soldier unused to the
sharp practices of willy politicians, they
will be made to feel that an honorable and
upright officer will not lend himself to their
base plans to cheat thousands Of voters of
North Carolina out of their right Of suf-
frage.
We regret that General CANDY did not
discern the object of these men in fixing
the election in this State later than in
South Carolina. Under the recent act of
Congress but ten days residence in pre-
cinct or county is required to vote, and as
necessarily under the harsh operation of
the law, most of the poll-holders will be
Northern men, as few others are qualified,
even if they always act from honest and
pure Intentions, there will be no trouble
in bringing large numbers of the newly en-
franchised voters from South Carolina,
after having used them there, and perpe-
trating the grossest frauds in this State.
This would have been prevented by requir-
ing simultaneous election in both States.
But this is matter we suppose which
has passed beyond the control of the Com
handing Officer of the District, and we
desire now only to call his attention to the
proposed order requiring zone ballot box
and one ballot" We would ask how is it
possible to carry out this plan or mode of
voting, and at the same time comply with
the ordinance of the late Convention"
entitled :" An Ordinance for the Submis-
sion of the Constitution to the people and
the Election of Certain Officers" The or
dinance is as follows
Be 1t ordained by the people of North Carolina,
IN COnUefattOn assembled, That the Constitution
adopted by this Convention be submitted Tor rati-
fcation to the voters of his State, registered and
qualified, as provided by the acts Of Congress-
known as the Reconstruction Laws, On the 2lst,
22d and Esd Of April, 1868 The vote on said Con;
Against the Constitution" The said election
shall be held at the places and under the regula-
tons to be prescribed by the Commanding Gen
to him as directed by law.
Sec. 2. An election shall be held at the same
time and place as the ratification of the Constitu
ton, for Senators and Representatives in the Gen.
eral Assembly, and for all State and County Off
GERS, who are to be elected by the people under
this Constitution.
Sec 8. An election for members of the United
States Congress shall be held in each Congress
sional District, as now established. at the same
tlmeland place as the election for ratification of
the Constitution Said election shall be conduct
ed by the same persons and under the same regu-
Iations as before mentioned il this ordinance
The returns shall be made to the President of this
Convention, who shall give the persons chosen
certificates of election.
Sec. l. The Commanding General of this Mil
itary District is requested to enforce this ordi-
nance.
SEQ S. The President of the Convention is here
by directed to forward certified copy of this or
dinance to the Commanding General of this Mill
tary District.
BY the first section of this ordinance no
one can vote for or against the Constitu-
ton who is not registered voter under