The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-06-12
ACTS PASSED BY THE THIRTEENTH
LEGISLATURE

An ACT
To provide Tor the registration cf voters,
and TO repeal An act &c provide FOR q
special registration ~ voters preparatory
20 an election under the provisions ct an
act to suthorizc eoaaticS, ci.ics aud towns
10 aid in the construction % railroads and
other works 81 internal improvement.
approved May 81 1879
SFcTfnS L Bel enacted by lie LfgiSia-
turc Of the State OF Texas Kbat clerks e
the district courts 81 the counties in TINS
State shall be registrars for their respective
counties, any may act liz person, or by duly
qualified deputies. Ia case Of Vacancy in
the office Of districr clerk. At any time when
registration may be necessary. preceding an
election, the county or police court shall
assemble as early rs possible aud appoint
registrar for the time being, who, during
such vacancy. shall perform al tbs duties,
aud have all the powers hereinafter con-
ferrcd on district clerks or their deputies,
said temporary registrar shall appoint with
tho consent 81 the county court. as many
deputies as may be necessary 10 serve
through the days provided for general reg
istration, all Of whom, A.ilh the principal,
shall, before entering Upon the discharge Of
their duties, take the constitutional oath
provided Tor other officers
SIC. 8. Tint il shall be the duty Of the
district clerk, at any time, excepting on
Sundays or during the time Of election or
within three days Sunday exceptedl next
before any general election, 70 enter upon
the registration list Of each or any election
precinct within his county, the name Of any
person resident in such precinct and en-
titled to vote therein; and for wiIlfuliy or
corrupty refusing To register any person en-
titled TO register as herein provided or rs
hereinafter provided, for precinct registra-
ton. the officer SO refusing shall be deemed
guilty of misdemeanor, aud upon convic-
tion thereof be fined not less than ono ifcn-
dred dollars t$100) MOI more than five hun
dred dollars $500 for each oilense.
SEC. 3. That At least forty (40) days
Sundays excepted, before each general BIZ
enniA election hereafter 10 occur, tie dis
trict clerk. or other person performing the
duties Of registrar, shall give at least ten
days notice Of the time aud places. and the
numbers Of days during which he viii attend
in person. or BY legally constituted deputy,
at tho voting place fixed by the county.
court FOR each voting precinct in his county
for the purpose of registering the voters Of
such precincts; said notice, II there be a
newspaper published IN the county, shall'be
published in at least one such paper, and by a
least three written or printed-noticcs posted
in at least three public places in each cleo
ton precinct If there be no newspaper in
such county, then the written notices, as
aforesaid, shall be sufficient The books Of
registration shall be kept open IN each pre-
clnct for at least five days; provided, thai
in counties having less than five hundred
voters, the registering officer may close the
registration in any precinct at any time az
Ii al
returns, under his oath Of Office. that the
entire voting population then in such pre-
cinct, desiring or able to attend according
to the best Of his knowledge and belief,
had registered; provided, however, that the
first general registration under the provisions
this section, shall commence not less than
Of sixtynor more than ninety days from and
after the passage OF this act, to be conducted,
IN all respects, as to notice, duration Of fime
revision by the board Of revision and other
wise, according to the provisions Of this
section; provided, further, that the board
of revision for the first registration shall as
semblc for such revision on the second Mon
day after the commencement of the said
first registration
SEC. 4. That when a person applies for
registration, eitherin his own precinct, dur
ing the days of registration, or otherwise,
before the district clerk in his Office, II he
be known to the registration officer 10 pos
sess the constitutional qualifications re-
quircd Of electors, he shall enter lis name
rs 4 duly registered voter. Should be be
unknown to the officer. aud there be pres
cnt no qualified voter known to the officer
to yoUch for the applicants qualifications,
oF II the officer still cntertains any doubt
orif requested by any citizen present, be
registration. II he Sweafs or afiirins, that
he does possess the constitutional qualiica-
tons, they being explained TO him, his
name shall be registered. but otherwise bis
name shalt not be so registered.
SEC J. That the registering officer shall
be entitled to fec Of ten (l0) cents FOR
each name registered 81 rejected, - be
paid by The county, for which the County
Court shall issue the proper order.
SIC g. That the district clerk shall
procure suitrBi6 books, to be paid for BY
the county, in which to register the voteFs
or precincts separately. and one book
in which to enter the names Of the whole
number Of voters in his county by precincts,
and in which last named book he shall req
lister, in the list of the proper precinct, The
names Of all persons who may 10 registered
in his Office, Or who may be declared enfi-
tied to register by the boarl Of revision
hereinafter provided and he shall procure
All necessary blank forms and certificates ~
the expense Of the county.
SEC. q That general registrations slIall
commence at least thirty days Sundays ex-
cepted) before the day q general election
SEC. 8 That the Justices Of the peace
Of the county, on any thee d them, shall
constitute n board Of revision They shall
before any general election SUNDAYS ex-
ceptedl and remain in session i've b days
70 hear appeals BY persons who may have
been denied registration. or complaints
against the right 70 the registration ~ any
person who may have been registered and
70 register other persons entitled thereto
They shall lave full power % examine ap-
plicants and other persons under oath
touching tic qualifications 81 any person 50
denied registration, or claimed % haze i,een
improperly registered, and decide the rae
which decision shall be final ard shoaid
said board Of revision willfuliy Or conupflr
fail o. refuse - register any person. auihors
ized By law 70 .be registered ~ niiifullr On
coTGptly strike from the list any ieaalie
qualified voter. each mcinber lbcfeot Is 81.
Tending, shalt be guilty 81 a nisdeniean0r.
and Oh conviction shall BE- fined not less
flian one hundred 100 nor more chan i've
hundred i5o0l dollar foreach offcnse. Tie
district clerk shall enierupon flie Iiet 81 the
proper precinct IN presence u fhe hoard.
the names 81 I'll persons who mas 81 tins
declacd entitled % registration, end III
IKE manner, - presence 81 the iDari cl1
ont iae nanes ~ 81 pcrtons iIisis declared
Improperly fe1Isiere1 writing opposite
cari name scrascd ~ board 81 fefiaio
Al tic conclusion u ihcir labo1. ilic hoard
~ revision shall make and sien 5 ctrfifcale
immediately following the last nafac On t5ch
separate precinct rcri faiiu1 lssl- inci1d
iDe sl ille nefncg 5eI0afDe thereto. Hheli.ef
registered a. the general pfcriucl fefdslfa
zion. 81 - the dissrci clerk ID tacafion. b
placed iherc - order 81 tie board q nevis
Ion which clfii6caIc sh4E state lhsl ~