Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-04-07
JUDGES OF ELECTION.


The immense frauds committed at
elections, when and wherever held in this
country, demand that some precaution be
taken to correct the evil For it may be
declared with truth that free and fair
expression of popular opinion is thing
almost unknown at this time in our
republican government How now to
nrevent these abuses for the future is
question for careful thought and requir-
ING attention. One of the fruit
ful sources of corruption may be
said TO arise from the practice of
appointing partisan judges of election.
This has been extensively dealt in in our
county of Shelby, by both the Radical
and Democratic parties, since the war.
II is one of those boils with which we
have been visited in consequence of
having taken into our stomachs TOO much
reconstruction. The time has however
nassed when we should forget these par
tisan bases, and again return to the rules
once governing the great political par
ties of this country. The revolution back
10 virtue and good government can never
begin until the people have the means OF
expressing their wishes, and in manner
thatmay afterward be made known. Under
the present system of holding elections
il is impossible to ascertain what is the
wish of the majority. 1t may be to the
contrary exactly that which has been re-
ported BY those whose duty it is to make
such report. We think elections may
he conducted more in accordance with
law BY appointing judges 10 each ward,
township and district being composed OF
an equal number of individuals of the va
rious political pasties. fit be necessary
letthere be law passed by theLegislature
10 that effect, and to insure its execution
attach heavy fines and penalties for a
violation Of its provisions. New York
has such law in operation, and it is
Democratic State. Why not Tennessee
make similar enactment, and show TO
the Radical party that we can be just
even to our enemy? At this time the
code of the State makes it the duty OF
the County Court to appoint these In
spectors or judges to superintend cleo
tions. II the County Court fails to make
the appointments, or any person ap-
pointed refuses to serve, the Sheriff, with
the advice of three Justices. or If none
be present, three respectable freeholderi
shall, before the beginning of the cleo
ton. appoint said inspectors or judges.
If the Sheriff fail to perform his duty
then any Justice of the Peace present
or if no Justice of the Peace be present
any three freeholders may perform the
duties prescribed for the Sheriff. This
would seem to be fair mode Of appoint
ing these oficers-if they can be char
acterized as such; still it has not been
observed Of late. since the ere
alton of the Office Of Registrar.
The Registrar was given the power Of
holding elections in this State, which
power he has invariably exercised in the
interest Of the party to which, at the time
he might belong. We were an eye wit
ness to some ofihe frauds perpetrated by
Judges Of election at the places Of voting
in the late county election IN Shelby
county. Men disregarded tbeiF saths
with as little concern as if they were
made TO be broken. Everything was
conducted in a partisan way by these
sworn officers, and little regard tC
fairness or law was observed rs
pecially at the negro polling places
did corruption flourish in all is Radical
luxurianee. 1t mattered little from
where Cuffy might hail, where he was
born. raised and then lived; it was all
the same, he was permitted TO vote
although he may have done 40 az several
other places in the city during the seeS
day. The Radical judges who sit around
the baliot-box Of these iniquitous pre-
cincts would assume to be insulted if al
honest Democrat would deem it wis'
10 exercise q freenan's privilege o
challenging the right Of these blacl
devils 10 thus trample on law an,
deoency. They were appointed 70
the purpose OF carrying the election
in favor Of their friends, and with then
the end justified the means. TOprsyen
reresition Of such outrageous an
villainsus conduct, we repeat that al
equal number Of judges should be az
pointed from the two great parties ao'
in the county. If i is made the duty
the County Court. let It not be yasse
over lightly BY the honest men compo
ing th.s eoart If II IS required Of th
sheriff to msks fhsEe selections, the