The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-02
The REGISTRATION QUESTION.
Letter from Mr. Fosdick of the Board
of Registration.
Copy of Letter from Mr.. Fosdick
to the Chairman of the Board.
New ORLEANS, La, Oct. l, 1868.

NEW ORLEANS, La, Oct. /, 1868.
To the Editors ofthe Daily Papers:
Feeling that one more effort should be made by
me on behalf Of the people OF the State to induce,
if possible, the majority Of the "Board of Regis
tration f" TO do justice by changing the instruc-
tionsto boards of supervisors as furnished, and
under which they are now acting, presented
the accompanying letter to the board, and de.
manded immediate action on the points raised.
Mr.. Ferguson courteously gave ms his decision
in the following terms:
That be did not think, under his construction Of
the law, that he had any right to make any change
in the printed instructions given to super
visors until such time ss the Legislature changed
the acts under which the Board Of Registration
was appointed.
Mr.. baker simply declined to decide at all. as.
suming the ground that II was impotic to con-
sder the question at this time. as the Legislature
now had the whole matter before them, and would
most probably take some action in q few days.
The citizens Of the State being vitality inter.
ested in all movements relating 30 registration, l
deem tiny duty to make this public so that they
may be enabled to take legal steps to enforce
their rights, as am Of opinion that the object OF
the leaders of the Radical party In their move.
passing measures to relieve the people from their
outrageous attempt of the Board Of Registration
to deprive them Of their birth right, Is a sham
and simply to procrastinate until il is too late for
them to avail themselves of il.
An appeal to this board in my opinion is use
less, for the that the majority in preparing
their instructions have already prejudged almost
every possible case that could come before them.
(signeo) GEO. A. FosDTCK.
The following is the letter to Mr.. Baker, above
referred to-
...t.. ICopy.l
New ORLEANS, La, Oct. l, 1865.
Bon VIM Baker Chairman Board of Registrars, New Or
LEAFS, La:
With the view of facilitating registration. and
to avoid as far possible any unnecessary differ
ences. demand that the instructions to supervi.
sors, as adopted by the majority of this board, be
modified so as to conform to the Judgment as
modified by Judge Cooley in the case of Gamble
VS.. Third Ward Board of Supervisors. and of Judge
Lesumont in several other cases, Ii. e.) that all
citizens Of foreign birth shall be registered on the
production Of naturalization papers issued from
any Of the courts, regardless of date, provided
they possess the other necessary qualifications Of
an elector.
also demand that they be further modified, so
as TO permit all citizens who propose to take oath
No. 10 90 so without question, as the manner of
having aided the 10 al men in reconstructng the
state is a question which each individIa must
determine according to his own judgment aud
the dictates of his conscience and for this board
to give sny Instructions prohibiting the super.
visors from registering those applicants is an
sumption Of authority not delegated to them by
the acts Of the Legislature.
Respectfully.
(Signed) GEo. A. FOsDICX.