New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-10-25

osnvassing and registration, % it seems to
leeid0ately appertain 10 1t.
It the Democfatie party has not scrutin-
ised, end that very thoroughly, the work
Of registration, or obtained AL desired lists
Of eraaures, I am convinced that II nust
visors Of election United 6tates) rather
than against any 0d3cial of the State. The
tletructiopo from th;e ollice have been 20
direct and explicit that NO officer could fail
In bis duty through ignorance, aud tho ab.
sence Of any compleint from the proper
parties leads me u believe that the taeili
ties legally due the Uaited States fficers
have not been refused them. II the facii
ties duo them, and Afforded by the State.
the Democratic party has made an .irjd.
dfcious selection of officers charged with
che protection Of its interests, / respect-
fully submit that neither myself nor the su-
per visors aud assistant supervisors Of reg
istration should be held responsible there
for. g r3s
Please excuse the length of this commu-
nioation. The subjects discussed are of
great importance, and the dignity and
Mr.. Burke and other members of his com
mittee in the various delicste and c0mpil-
cated mAtters constantly arising in this
campalgH, make il proper that his oommu-
nicatiOn, evidently prepared with great
care, should receive full and respectful
attention. e-.t
am, your exec llency, your obedient ser
want, t-5 MICHAEL HAHN,
- State Registrar Of Voters.
PROPOSED JOINT CANVASS or ALPHABETICAL
POLLING PLACES.
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Executive Department. 7
New Orieans, October, %, 1876
Hon. z. A. Burfe, chsirman Democratic AID Con.
servstise Registration Conmittet:
SIR-Your communication of October l8,
sugges,iog Q joint canvass of the reeistra-
ten lists, and making . proposition for the
location of polling places, etc.. in the parish
of Orleans, has beon referred to the State
Registrar of Voters, who 10 specially charged
By Law with thess duties. He has made
report to me, which I hereW with inslose.
concur with him In regarding the propo
sition for joint canvass Of the registration
lists - proper subject for confederation
and arranRement BY your COMMITTEES and
iiOsn party. Tho officers Of registration
will afford all proper facilities for this pur.
pose, but arc neither empowered nor can
they be Eoasonsbly expeeted to 1ndertake
this labor themselves In tho manner prc-
posed. -,....,s-e-.-,,,.,.,a.f-,.,
The suggestions made by your committee,
with regard to an alphabetical or territorial
dis7ibution Of polling placse, ere almost
identical with similar propositioDe which
election of 1874. and ware then decided to
be impracticsble and illegal. The sections
Of tho law which are quoted by tho State
Registrar in his report constitute each ward
Of the city an election precinct, and dis
tinctly give to every voter the right to cast
ais vote, and require the commissioners of
election to receive that vote, 1t any poll in
that precinct. Tho attempt to restrict the
voter BY territorial limitations within his
of the ward by alphabetical sections would
not only be illegal, but would be provoca-
tive Of inextricable confusion. Tho State
Registrar, In his report, explains the pre-
cautions which have becn taken to prevent
repeating, and with proper vigilance on the
part Of the commissioners representing each
political party, l believe this ofense can be
in great measure prevented.
am very anxious that there should be Q
fair registration and election. and will do
all in my power to secure this result
suggest that by amicable arrangement the
two political parties might do mnch to pre-
serve public order on tho day Of election,
and to facilitate the conduct Of tho electios.
A mutual agreement might be entered into
as to the number and class of persons to
be admitted into the polling booths during
the time of voting, and who should remain
to witness the count and verify the list of
votes made out, 90 that every citizen.
after casting his ballot. may feel satis-
fed that his vote viii be counted
as cast. All unnecessary csoWding
round the polls should be discouraged.
Citizens Of both parties should be requested
after seeing their their ballots safely de-
posted to quietly depart to their reepee-
tive avocati0ns. An agreement of this kind
made In such shape that tho officers of cleo
tion could consistently conform to it under
the Law would, think. conduce greatly to
tho fairnesa and freedom Of the election by
all pretexts tor charges Of fraud,
intimidation or violence.
mako this suggestion in the interests of
peace and . fair election. Very respect.
fully, your obedient servant,
WIN. p. KELLOGG.