Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-04-28
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF REGIS
TRATIOE,

The mixed condition of affairs in this
State at the present time is such as to
confuse the public mind on the changes
that are or about being made in the laws
and Constitution in force. Our abnormal
existence renders it exceedingly hard to
harmonic the conflicting parts Of the
machinery of government and in con-
sequence are often left to conjecture
what really will be our exact status
another day The question which now
comes up is in regard TO the Office
Of Commissioner of Registration, which
is generally supported to be virtu-
ally abolished by the provisions Of
the new Constitution, that must soon be
declared in force. Ii may witt truth be
said that the new fundamental law fails
to mention this Office; but il does by inn
plication when, in article ~, section !,
it states that there shall be no qualifca-
lion attached to the right Of suffrage, ex-
cept that each voter shall give to the
judges of election where he offers to vote
satisfactory evidence that he has paid the
poll-tax assessed against him for such
amount as the Legislature may prescribe,
and al such time as may be prescribed
by law, without which his vote cannot
be received And again, this Constitu-
ton, in another clause, fixes the amount
of poll-tax to be paid at not less than
fifty cents nor more than one dollar per
annum, 1t does away with all the obnox-
ious test-oaihs that have heretofore been
required ofvoters inthe State, and makes
one condition only to the right oil
suffrage We have plain sailing as to
that point, and need not live in dread
of being again subjected to disfran.
chisement for acts of alleged rebellion
that leaves no stain on the conscience.
Our people are free, thank heaven, TO
vote for such candidates as suit them.
1t is not required Of them TO swear falsely
before exercising the right Of the cleo
tive franchise. Every male person Of
the age Of twenty-one years, being a cit
izen of the United States and a resident
of this State for twelve months. and OF
the county wherein he may offer his vote
for six months next preceding the day
Of election, with the condition Of FIRST
paying a poll-tax, viii entitle the
individual 10 the free exercise Of suf
frage. Each voter shall give satisfactory
evidence to the judges Of election that
he has paid the poll-tax assessed against
him for the time prescribed BY the Legs
lature. The law may further require
how this evidence Of having paid the taA
shall be presented, and in what shape;
whether By taxreeeiptor the certificate o.
ihe Gem missioner Of Registration 10 in,
fact that the law has been compiled
with The passage Of an act on this
subject when the Legislature meets vii
be required, and will I'll the deficiency
But il BY no means necessitates the abo
lition Of the Office of Commissioner O
Registration, and there is no good reason
why il should not stand. The Law make,
it the duty Of this officer to hold al
county elections, and 70 be guided B,
the rules laid down for the government
Of sheTiffs heretofore conducting such
elections. He has the same powers that
he sherifIs had in holding elections
and nothing more and the ofics
viii continue anti The law Great
ing il has been repealed BY an