The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-04-11
THE NEW REGISTRY LAW.


paper, but they want it to be at par with
coin, the money standard of the world.
THE NEW REGISTRY LAW.
The Baltimore Americans Annapolis
correspondent gives the following synopsis
of the changes in the registration law of
the State.
The change from the present Registra-
ton law made by the bill that recently
passed both Houses is not very great, and
principally relates to the mode of adver
Using and the payment of the Registers.
The old law en- oins the Officers of Regis
tration to begin their sitting upon the
third Monday in September The new
law makes the time for beginning the first
Monday in September. The law also adds
to those whose names the Registers shall
strike from the lists all persons "who may
not be resident of the ward or election
district or eutitled to vote therein" The
provision in regard to the publication of
lists is as follows: The officers shall
make two alphabetical lists, one of which
shall comprise the names which have been
stricken from the books, and the other the
names of the newly registered. In Balt-
more city the residence of every voter
shall be affixed opposite his name, and
these lists shall be once published in two
ne wspapers in the city of Baltimore. to be
designated by the Mayor and City Regis
ter, and one newspaper in each county,
and also by handbills posted in such places
as they may select in the several wards of
Baltimore city and the districts of the
several counties, one third of the handbills
in Baltimore city to be printed in the Ger
I nj ha Al l,, In
Registers began their sittings for the cor
rection of the lists on the fourth Wednes-
day in October. The new law makes it
the first Monday in October. An entire
new section is added in regard to qualii
cations as to time Of residence. 1t pro-
vides that no persons shall be entitled to
registration in any ward or election dis
trict unless lie shall have been a resident
of the State one year, and in the legisla-
tive district in which registration is claim
ed for six months preceding the next en-
suing election at which his registration
would confer the right to vote. Such resi-
dence must be an actual, 60hn tide resi-
dence, and shall be established upon the
oath or affirmation of competent witnesses.
'The neglect or refusal of any person
deeming himself aggrieved by the refusal
of any Officer of Registration, to register
his name, or by the striking off of his
( name from the list of qualified voters to
appeal, is provided for in the act. shall be
deemed and taken to be conclusive evi
dence that the said person was rightfully
refused registration or was stricken from
the list The residence herein referred
to shall be constructed SO as to require
that the party shall have spent majority
of the prescribed time in such ward or
district"
1t will be seen that the provisions in
regard to residence are very cumbrous,
and, according to the strict construction
of the last clause given above, it is difficult
to see how persons whose business keeps
them away from their residence the MAORI
ty of the time could obtain registration.
The old law gave the Officers of Regis
tration 81 per diem, and necessary ex-
penses for books, stationery, fuel and
office rent were chargeable to the County
Commissioners and City Council of Balti-
more. respectively. The rev law gives
the officers in Baltimore city $500 each per
annum, and no allowance is to be made
for books, stationery or any other expense.
When this bill was on its passage through
the Senate, Dr. Steiner offered an amend
Insnt that of the three officers in each
election district not more Than two should
be of any one political party, but this was
voted down.
1t is well to notice that all the features
by which the "ring" Of Democratic poll
ticians can cheat with so much facility
under the law are retained, and few I'M
important changes made. Prior to the
above change but one Register was appoint
ed in each district, but 1t would seem from
the above that places for three hungry
politicians are pro.ided.
Els-A history of the "Old Jail" print
ed on the first page will prove interest
ing. Soon nothing will be left to mark
the spot whore the rude and homely pile
did stern duly for eighty years.
Our Fort Scott, Kansas, correspondent
gives picture of Texas society not the
most inviting, and the reverse of those
which have been recently painted in rose
colors i'll Scrfjaer's, the Philadelphia Press
and Baltimore american. While the repre-
sentatives of these papers went to Texas
heralded as correspondents, whose opinions
were expected to have Influence over north
ern thought, and were consequently taken
proper care of by the chivalry, our cor
respondent travelled incog. and made his
observations when society appeared in its
every day clothes, so to speak, which gives
the opinion of such a critical observer, in
fiDitely more value than that of writers
who are captured by the ruling classes,
whose interest it is to have a favorable
report of themselves aud country publish
ed abroad
ss Maryland has two claimants for the
office of Adjutant- General of the State
General Bond and General McBlair. The
former is recognized by Governor Groome
as Adjutant- General. Both parties claimed