New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-10-05
REGISTRATION FRAUDS IN ARKANSAS.

CLAYTONs REGISTRARS AT WORK DIsFRAN-
CHIsING WHITE CITIZENs-HOw MEN ARE
ROBBED OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: 1t may interest many of your readers
10 know how registration is managed in this downrod-
den State and how every is brought to bear to
make the State cast vote for Grant and his represen-
tatye capetbaggers at the ensuing election. Regstra
ton in this county commenced last week. and the writer
being appointed United States Supervisor of Election,
attended the registration at the two voting places in his
township was appointed to represent the interests Of
the Conservatives and the 18th attended the registry
held at my own place of residence. To say that was
surprised at what was done would express in respect
my feelings. had idea that fraud would be so
unbushngly practiced and that question after Ques-
tOn for of which there any authority of law,
would be asked OF men who would either have to peIure
themselves be denied the dearest right Of freemen
The questions, as well as 1 recollect, as follows
l. Did you ever hold any civil Office before the war,
such magistrate road Overseer, captain or PATROL Gel
q Did yoa ever belong to an organization known as
Z" The knights of the White Camelia," or to the Ku-
g. Did Won vote for or against the ordinance Of Sc
Did you voluntarily furnish supplies, arms, or am
munition 10 the COnfederacy
g. Did YOU vote for or against the ratification OF the
Constitution of 1867
G. Did you, during the Rebellion, belong 10 any indie
pendent military commands
The TO all these question had to be satisfactory
20 the registrar the applicant was denied registration
In consequence OF the made to the first question
many Of our best citizens not allowed TO register
for every Of that lived in the State before the
and that was of any standing in society, filed
OF the numerous Offices mentioned above. Road
seer is particularly grevous, for it unthankful
office and which could not be declined except by the
payment Of a heavy fne The answers TO the second
question disranchsed more than those 10 the first
for in this section The Knights of the White Camea"
had large lodge. What the organization was, know
not but, Judging from the men that belonged 10
it-for its existence ceased several years ago-I do
not think that it could have tended" in the language
Of the registrar subversion Of law and order"
The answers to the remaining questions were by no
means explicit Men could not remember and. as one
OF them said {" / have no memoranda 70 refresh my
are very much eDraged yet they are lawabidng peO
pe and Will not do anything that may be construed into
violation OF the law OF the lana. we suner enough
day after day, IN seeing the corruption ana plundeTlng
that openly carried but when election approaches
and see little carpetbagger sent around among us
One that has no Interest IN common win tne people
and at his arbitrary will best citizens are refused
registration the load becomes almost TOO heavy To bear
Two years ago. IN the adjoining county, ienoW OF me
same stamp sent around as registrar and when the
law about - take hold OF him under the provisions
Of the Enforce lent act ne paekeu Hs caIpeack anu
left for parts unknown. IL looks as II the same game
to be played in this county Tor those appointed ns as
registrars, having property IN the county not easily con-
vertbie into cash, prevailed on c. q. Woodford, the
present registrar, 10 undertake the duty.
Those whose right 10 vote in our opinion Is undoubted
Will vote affdayits under the late act OF Congress-
and hope by that means We may be able 10 change
the state Of affairs and compel some OF the
dres to at the bar OF justice Tor their frauds
AT our precinct Of 81 whites, 10 denied regis
raton al the adjoining precinct out Of 122 whites, 81
were refused In conclusion, representing the peO
ple for have been requested 10 write you, that
look TO the sound common sense conservatism OF the
North for help. We can do nothing OF ourselves
mt accepug the Issue OF the and the amendments
10 The Constitution IN good faith, only demand
equal rights liberties TO all before the law"
even if they unfortunate as to have formerly
been Rebels. W. NJ
Union County Ark, Sept 20, 1872.