The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-23
THE REGISTRY LAW.

FROM the Harrisburg Patriot.
Yesterday morning Senator Dechert called
up the amendments to the Registry law so far
as it relates to the city of Philadelphia They
were passed with the opposition of every Re-
publican member of the Senate, and now 90
to the House for concurrence. The unani-
nous opposition of the Republican Senators
caused some surprise, as two or three of them
had expressed themselves strongly in regardto
the injustice of the present law. But the
radical ring, who hope to carry the elections
by fraud in Philadelphia, have too, deep
an interest in the question, and
they found means to silence the
consciences OF Senators. Senator
White had the hardihood to defend the pre-
sent law, and with disgusting cant called it
''benefcent" measure. Bum and the rest of
the ballot-box suffers and repeaters of Phila-
delphia will thank him for this word to sane
tify one of the greatest wrongs ever CON-
mitted in the Legislature. But what better
could emanate from the source whence pro-
ceeded that fraudulent list of Indiana county
taxables? 1t would be strange enough if an
unjust election law which was enacted for
the purpose of facilitating fraud would not
find ready apologist in that quarter.
The entire people of the State are familiar
with the villainous nature of the law which
was passed for Philadelphia in 1869 to enable
William B. Mann to count himself into the
Office of District Attorney, and no plea OF
party necessity can reconcile honest Republl-
cans to its continuance. That law gave the
appointment of all election officers in Phila-
delphia to the radical aldermen. 1t virtually
withdrew all protection from the ballot-box.
Under cover of the law repeaters have been
organized into guild in Philadelphia, secure
from detection and punishment There are
none to watch the ballot-box suffer when
| OlviOo his frada To this anaptmaDt RuQQ.
the perjurer and peculator, owes his election
to the Office of Register of Wills
of Philadelphia. Sheriff Leeds and his gang
thank its iniquitous provisions for their own
success William b. Mann, its unscrupu-
lous author needs it to maintain his evil
| power, and secure the possession of the office
of District Attorney. The Quay Mackey ring
| have no hope of maintaining control OF the
treasury except through the opportunity for
the commission of fraud which it affords. 1t
is this law which holds the honest Republl-
cans of Philadelphia at the mercy of Mann,
Leeds, and Bum, and their gangs of repeat
ers and rufians. Such are the considerations
which render the law odious to every honor
able man in the Commonwealth, but pecull-
rrly acceptable to all those who seek to
defraud the people of their rights.
The amendments OF Colonel Dechert
merely seek to protect the ballot-box from
corrupt manipulation. One amendment pro-
vides simply that the Democratic inspectors
of elections shall be appointed by the Demo
cratic aldermen, and not by the radical alder
men. The object of the present law is that
the radical aldermen shall select nominal
Democrats who are actually in the service OF
the ring and ready to connive at its fraudu-
lent operations. 1t deprives the ballot-box
Of all protection, and prevents the detection
OF all who tamper with the returns. William