The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-01-19

the present session, 1 deem It my duty to
furnish you with such information in
regard to its operations as is in my pos
session.
1t is one of the objects of this law to
carry into effect the amendment to the
constitution of the State, ratified by the
people in the month of May, 1866, which
excludes from political privileges those
who gave voluntary aid to the rebel
lion. Under this constitutional provis-
4 ion large numbers of persons in some
counties of the State are deprived of the
right to vote. Hence it is not only diff
cult, but an unpleasant duty for Boards
of Registration to enforce the law rigidly
in certain localities; and it is reasonable
to suppose that more or less feeling
would be manifested and complaint
made by persons whose names the
Boards are bound by their official oath
to reject from the registers of voters.
This was the case in a number of coun-
! ties during the progress sf registra-
tion the past year. As a general
thing, however, the law was executed
without exciting much opposition. The
exceptions were iu few counties,
where, for the time being party feeling
ran high, and the reckless spirit that
belonged to the war time was revived.
am fully persuaded that in nearly
all the counties the mem bers. of the
Boards of Registration are higbminded
aud honorable men, who have executed
the law. with strict impartiality. 1t is
probable that in a few cases the powers
bn ar1o u L
abused; but not many such cases have
been reported to me, although all par.
ties communicating with me on the
subject were invited and even solicited
to make known any abuses coming with.
in their knowledge.
OF the fifty-three counties of the
State, complaints were made against
the Boards of Registration in but nine.
1t was represented to me that in five of
these the applications of certain persons
who were entitled TO vote were being
rejected, while in the other four it was
asserted that the names of persons who
were not legal voters were being en-
tered upon the registers. No sworn
statements, however, in regard to these
alleged violations of the law were fur
nished me, except from two counties,
and not from these until after the regis
tration had been completed and the Oc-
tober election was passed. received a
number of affidavits charging that the
Board of Registration in Greenbrier
comfy had entered upon the registers
of voters the names of persons who
were not entitled to vote, and had re-
iected the names of others who were.
The official misconduct, however, was
charged to have been committed at
previous registration and not at the
last one. About the same time, re-
ceived statements under cath that the
Board of Registration in Nicholas coun-
ty was assaulted and broken up by an
armed mob, in consequence of which it
was impossible for them to make the
registration required by law.
In every instance where complaint
was made, inquired into the cause OF
it, and corrected abuses, if any were
found to exist, as far as it was ia my
power to do so.
But you, having been chosen but re-
Gently by the veters of the State, and
coming directly from the different coun-
ties, will have in your possession more
information in regard to the practical
working of our election law, than can
possibly have. 1t will be for you to de-
termine, after careful examination of
the facts before you, what notifications,
if any, are needed in the present mode
of registration. The Constitution gives
you entire control over the whole SUBJ
ject, allowing you to provide for reg |
istry of voters or not, as in your jndg- |
ment may seem best. The same instru.
ment makes it imperative on you to
"pass such laws as may be necessary
aud proper to prevent intimidation,
disorder or violence at the polls, and
corruption and fraud in voting"
The experience Of other States seems
to establish tho fact that the most GER
tain method of doing this, is thorough
and impartial registration of the legal
voters, Immediately preceding tho time
of holding elections.
This much is certain: that the highest
interests of the State are best promoted;
a mors ready obedience to the laws
secured, and a better spirit inspired
among the people, when all the citizens,
without distinction of party, are pro.
tected in the peaceful and lawful exer-
ciso of THAR right to vote; and when
the purity of the ballot-boz is most
vigilantly guarded.
REMOVAL OF DISABILITIES.
The subject of removing legal disa-
bilities placed upon persons within the
State, who gave voluntary aid to the
rebellion, has been for some time agita.
ting the public mind; and as you will,
no doubt, have the whole matter before
you, l bespeak for it full and de.ibsrat?
consideration.
These restrictive measures were adopt
ed during time of great public peril;
they were prompted by that instinct Of
self preservation which impels every
community TO shield itself from present
or impending danger. The General
Government had just passed through a
protracted and sanguiDary struggle
with a portion of its citizens who had
taken up arms against its lawful au-
thority; our own State was yet in its
infancy; much of its territory had been
laid waste by the war; its constitutional
existence was disputed, aud its extinc-
tion threatened.
Under such circumstances, prompt
AQu utClSlNc ulCdSuLCo
" demanded, and those intrusted with
authority did not hesitate to resort to
them. These disabilities were not,
however, intended TO be perpetual, but
only to remain in force until all danger
to the public peace was past; until
those upon whom they were imposed
gave evidence that they accepted, in
good faith, the result of the war, and
until the permsnensy of the State was
fixed beyond all question.
These restrictions did not originate
in a vindietive spirit, nor have they
been adhered to by any considerable
number Of persons for unworthy pur
poses. The people of the State have
not required Of those who either openly
or covertly resisted its authority, or
gave assistance TO the rebellion, any
reparation for the past; bat they had a
right to expect that before these re-
strictious should be removed, such per
4