The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-12-01
CORRESPONDENTS.
Sub. Division Of the Election Districts.

larger election districts of Hartford county
must be evident to all who give the subject
moments reflection. In the Golden
time" when the present districts were di-
vided as they now are; when the popula-
ton was sparse in comparison with to-day,
and when " the man and the brother was
not regarded by the owners of the country
to be sufficiently qualified either by his
intelligence or his property interest in the
State to be entitled to exercise controll-
ing influence over other peoples property,
through the right of franchise, the places
for voting then were sufficiently numerous.
Since those days the number of white vot-
ers has largely increased, and the votes of
the blacks en-, maSSe, superadded. We ven
ture to say that there were few, if any, of
those who stood in the long line before the
judges window at Dublin, at the election
which has just taken place, that would
not vote yea on the question of sub divi-
sion, if an opportunity was offered them.
1t is exceedingly unpleasant, not to speak
of the loss of time, which is an important
item with some, to be compelled to stand
for one or two hours, perhaps in the rain,
in the line to the polls, being rudely ,jostled
all the time possibly with a negro in front
and another in the rear. The newly en-
franchised "brother" does not consider
that he gets half of his vote, or exercises
the half of his privileges, if he does not
display some rude manifestation of his self
importance and of his recently acquired
authority. Therefore it seems but proper
that the number of places of voting in our
county should be increased sufficiently to
accommodate this Unsuitable demand for
space on the part of those, particularly, who
vote for heavy taxation, though they them
selves possess no taxable property.
We understand that it lies in the power
of the County Commissioners, by recent
act Of the Legislature, to divide the pres
ent election districts if they can see the
necessity for it. 1t is to be hoped that
they will take the matter into consdera-
ton. 1t is patent to the writer, and to
quite o number of voters with whom he
has conversed upon the subject, that Dub
lin, Ohe 5th) district, should at least be di-
vided into two, if not three election pre-
cincts. At present great many of the
voters have to travel long distances to the
polls, and some on foot, and after reaching
their destination are compelled, as before
stated, to stand for hours in the line "
before they can deposit their ballot. We
simply throw out these suggestions at
present for the consideration of those in
terested. If deemed necessary, they may
be elaborated at future day.
Before closing this letter it seems appro-
pirate that we should add remark upon
point closely connected with the text, viz
The voters, after the long suffering and
patient, or impatient endurance in reach
ing the ballot box, are frequently compell-
ed to stand for considerable time, to the
great annoyance of those behind, for the
clerks to find has name on the poll book. They
apparently have to, or at least take the
time to look from one end of the alphabet
to the other in nearly every case while
with a better arrangement of the list, half
a dozen could vote while, as it now is, they
are looking for single name. BY all
means, hereafter, the lists of voters for the
use of the judges and clerks on the day
ofthe election should 5eprinted; and should
Gus manner that any name could be found
at glance. 1t is niggardly economy
that has hitherto governed those in au.
thority, in conducting elections without
the important aid Of a printed list. The
additional cost, we imagine, would scarce
ly amount to penny apiece to each voter,
while in some cases, perhaps dollars might
be saved.
In conclusion, let us insist, Mr.. Editor,
that we keep pace, in small way, at least,
with the march of improvement, by begin
mig the second century of our existence as
an independent government, with an in
crease in the number of election precincts,
and printed list of the voters for the use
of the clerks and judges.
p. S.-Since the foregoing was in manu-
script, a very timely and sensible editori-
al note on the necessity for additional
election facilities in the county, appeared
in the Hartford Democrat, of November 10th.
AS an evidence of how similar circum-
stances induce the flow of ideas in identi-
cal channels, we quote the following para
graph from the democrat;
"In this district, (Bel AiD there were
over one hundred men in line nearly the
whole day. This meant standing on your
feet and being squeezed front and rear for
about two hours While in this predica-
ment, the maledictons that descend on the
heads of our county fathers grated harshly
on friendly ears. The same thing occur
red in Dublin, and many good men, after
reaching the polling place, refused to un-
dergo the ordeal and went home without
voting"
Whenever the honorable Commissioners,
Mr.. Editor, indicate their readiness to take
action in the premises, toward the sub-di-
vision of the districts, doubtless there are
citizens who would be willing to lend their
aid, if desired, in furnishing suggestions
bearing upon the details.
WIS. r.
Darlington, Noe. 10, 1876.
Taachars, Salaries