The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-10-07

for the past three years. But they will
stand no farther outrage on their plainest
political rights. They will no longer con-
sent to be deprived of the right of voting
upon frivolous or cunningly devised pre-
texts, while that right is cast with pro-
digal and unscrupulous ilberality upon their
late slaves; and a set Of insolent and THEW
ish intruders into theft borders. Their de-
termination is fixed that no other .restric-
tons than those established by the exist
ing constitution and the laws shall be plac-
ed between the citizens and the hallot-box.
No implied disabilities shall be established,
nor shall the majority of the Board of
Registration or their. tools, the supervisors
Of districts and parishes, enforce them with
IMMUNITY. In another column the oaths
prescribed by law are set forth for the in
formation of all who claim to be qualified
to vote at the coming election. No citi-
zen should submit to any assumption of
right to catechise him as to facts not set
forth in the forms of oaths as included id
the lew
Gov. Warmoth must have lost all linger-
ing sense Of regard for public decency when
he appointed that man Baker one Of the
State registers. He could not have for
gotten that within few months he was
charged with most shameless misconduct
in his office of Street Commissioner of this
city. and that an immense weight Of testi-
mony was brought forward to. sustain the
charges. He could not but have known
that by this. community Baker was regard
ed as an Infamous and inscriptions party
tool. 1t is said that he was selected for
the place because of his practical expe.
renee as register under SheridaD's rule.
No dosbt Warmoth, by applying at the
penitentiary, might have found burglars,
cut threats and thieves distinguished for
their experience and skill in their respect
i've callings, had he wanted them to ope-
rate upon the lives and property of the
people. This Baker is justly odious to
the community. and is simply regarded as
one who is ready to make himself the viii! :
ing tool for any measure of political CHI
cane and dishonesty which Radicalism
may need at this time. He should never
have been appointed to the position he
disgraces, and the duty of Gov. Warmotll
is to remove him instantly.
The Board of Registration exhibits o
particular hostility against natu:nlized citI-
zens. The virtuous Baker himself belongs
to that class, and should have had moro
consideration for. it. The rules and regu-
lations signed by him are calculated to
make the supervisors believe that they
have tho power to decide whether decree
of naturalization issued by competent
court is lawful or not. In other words,
he and his Insignificant and obscure col
league, Ferguson, are attempting to set up
a high court Of errors and appeals 10 every
registration precinct in the State, to review,
or in their learned Weldon to anpul and
set aside the formal end solemn judgments
of courts of record. Even under our ex-
listing system, the separate existence of
judiciary is acknowledged, and its duties
are defined in. the constitution. It is CO.
ordinate, and not subordinate branch of
the State Government, which the Legis!a-
ture has no right to invade. Naturalist.
tion is a Judicial act, and, once decreed by
. court of competent jurisdiction, tho
judgment becomes the property of him in
whose favor it was given, Of which he can
not be deprived except in due form Of law.
Baker talks about the district courts of
parish being closed since July and there
fore Incapable of hearing or passing upon
applications for naturalization. Every
lawoer and almost the entire community
know that by a law Of the, presen. Legisla-
ture, approved on tho 2sth July last, two
ofour district courts-the First and Sec
ond-are open all the year round, and have
therefore been accessible at all times. Tho
other courts are also frequently open 10
hear rules on various points, and being
once opened, what is to hinder them from
issuing DEGREES in naturalization casrs, if
application aud proofs be made!
Our citizens should not forget that juris-
diction in cases Of naturalization has not
been given to State courts by State Legis-
latures. It was conferred by Congress in
carrying out o constitutional grant of pow
er to establish uniform laws Of naturaliza-
tion, and is therefore the supreme law of
the land. No State Legislature has ever
forbidden State courts OF record the exer-
else Of this jurisdiction, and it is extremely
doubtful whether it could be done. The
judges Of the district courts of the State
have, therefore. the right to hold special
sessions, to hear and decide on applications
for naturalization, and their decree in favor
Of an applicant imports that all legal pre-
requisites have been complied with, aud
cannot be attacked except by judicial pro-
cess. This may not be Radical law, but
the Supreme Court of the United States,
when John Marshall presided over it, said