The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-09-28
PENNSYLVANIA, ONO AND IND1ANA.-

PENNSYLVANIA, OHIO AND INDIANA
It is already known that an extended
system for colopizing negroes in these
States, from Kentucky, Virginia, Mary
land and the District of Columbia. has
been. concocted by Morton, Cameron,
Chandler and the Grant committees.
These blacks have been moving towards
their different destinations during the
last three weeks, in charge Of Radical
agents, whose duty it is to distribute
them from various central points. The
concurrence OF testimony from towns on
the Ohio and from the railroads in
Pen nsylvania would be conclusive, if in
vestigation did not remove all doubt that
an enormous fraud has been projected,
and will be carried out unless steps are
promptly taken to arrest and punish the
rascals who are engaged in this business.
Another scheme is confined to Wash
ington for the voting material. which is
proposed to be smuggled into these
States, and fraudulently crowded into
the ballot-box. At tho election here last
year-April 20. 1871-for delegate to
Congress and the District Legislature, it
is estimated that between 5000 and
1000 clerks were required to vote the
Grant ticket. As they had been acous-
toned to vote in the States from which
they were respectively appointed, ques.
ton OF qualification arose. It was held
by the law officers that change OF
domioile by order of tho Government did
not deprive voter of his residence in
the Stute from which he hailed, unless
the voter, by his own act, acquired a
new residence elsewhere Under that
ruling, these clerks, elected to become
citizens of the District of Columbia, re-
nounced their former residence and
voted here, aa we have stated. Every
man Of them thus voluntarily relin-
quished his right of suffrage at home.
just as if he had removed to another
State, and thereby acquired all the bene.
fits Of citizenship here. There is plan
on foot to send these clerks to Pennsyl.
vania, Ohio and Indiana, with the de.
sign of voting them in those States.
while they are only legal voters in
Washington, and made 30 by their own
choice. They are disfranchised in every
State. TO vote elsewhere would be q
felony. which ought to be followed
by criminal prosecution on the spot.
They could only establish or renew q
right to vote in the States, by acquiring
new residence like any other citizen,
who removes from one State or Territory
to another.
It matters not. so fur as the legal right
is concerned. whether these clerks voted
in Washington within year or rot.
That quibble is too thin for service
Tho point is, that they changed resi-
dence to vote here in April. 1871, and
until another residence is acquired else.
where by legal methods, they are de.
prived of IL vote in any State. Nothing
is clearer. They cannot be qualified
voters in Pennsylvania. Ohio and In.
diana, as we'll as in the District of Co
lumbia, at the same time. A voting re-
sidence here is inconsistent with voting
residence elsewhere.
Now, we hope that the utmost vigi.
lance will be exercised in regard to this
intended fraud. The registry lists oi
this city contain the names of the clerks
who abandoned their State residence
and adopted the District. They are
known in all their localities, and it will
be safe, as rule, to challenge every
Washington official who may claim 10
vote in any State ut the ele ions on the
9th of October. - Washingtt Patriot.
DEATHS Mira Snowden ,,Onsork oF