Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-02-18
md declared all the acts and do.

~ SASCG III 1dCL LuIOWIuS SH0
county back upon the Registra-
ion of John Carey of about 700
and 500 whites. But the
Governor did not stop at this; he
actually, about twelve days before
the election, removed Registrar
Russell from Office, and has not to
this time appointed another Regis
trar for this county. And now,
Brownlow throws out.of
the count in the Congressional
election, the vote of Lincoln couD-
ty which was 55S for Sheafe and
4 for Tillman, because the election
was held by order of the County
Court and the returns made by
the coroner, when "the law re-
quires the Registrar to hold cleo
tons and make returns" We
have stated above that Browlow
had removed the Registrar, had
not appointed his successor, and
there was no Registrar in the
county to hold the election. Had
Brownlow observed his oath to see
E'the laws faithfully executed, and
appointed Registrar after he re-
moved Russell, neither the County
Court nor the coroner would have
interfered with him in the dis.
charge of his duties, but would
have rendered him all the assist
ance in their power.
Before the Commissioner of
Registration was authorized and
required to hold elections, it was
made the duty of the several Sher
ifs in the respective counties tt
hold all elections and make re
turns according to law. In the
event there was no Sheriff in a
county or he was candidate tc
be voted for, the duty Of holding
elections and making returns was
devolved on the coroner. The
law directing elections to be hello
! by the Commissioner of Registra
ton, does not repeal the former
law nor does it alter that law any
further than to direct and require
the Registrar to hold the election in
the first instance. 1t gives the
Registrar precedence, but surely il
will not be contended by Brown.
low nor any other person of sound
mind, that in case there is no Reg
istrar in a county, there can be
no election because the Govern.
or has refused TO appoint a Regis.
trar. If that is the law, the Gov
ernor can have elections in just SC
many counties as suits him, and
not one more.
1t is very clear that as the law
row stands, it is the duty of the
to hold elections and
axe returns. In the absence, ina
bility or incompetency Of both the
Registrar and Sheriff, the duties
devolve npon the coroner. Now
how stood tire case in this county?
Brownlow vacated the Office of
few days before the
day of election. On the first Mon
day in November, tie day before
the election, the County Court con-
ferred with w. F. Keith, Radical
Sheriff, upon the subject ut hold
ing the election, and he positively
and peremptoriIy refused to bold
it. The County Court d.
rected, under these circumstances,
the coroner to hold the elections.
He did so at as many precincts as
he could in the time he had to-
make his arrangements. The
election was conducted peacefully,
orderly and quietly. Nobody
was intimidated or overawed, all
who desired and were legally en-
titled, voted just as they pleased.
But the Governor throws out the
vote Of Lincoln because the elee.
ton was held by order of the
County Court and the returns
made by the coroner, when the
law requires the Registrar to hold
the election and make return.