The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-07
WILLIAM FLEMING.
A CARD FROM THE REGISTRAR OF
VOTERS.
OFFICE OF REGISTRAR or VOTERS
Now Orleans, March &. 1879.

OFFICE OF REGISTRAR OF VOTERS
Now Orleans. March 8. 1879.
! Application having been made to me- as Re-
gistrar of Voters. to appoint canvassers and to
superlntend the examining into cases Of fraud
ulent registration have declined 50 to do for
the reason that under tho law my duties are
confined in this particular to the striking off Of
tho names Of persons traudulently registered
or of those who have died or removed from the
parish since the last election or are otherwise
disqualified upon duo proof being made as re-
uured by tho statute. | shall ut all times be-
| ready so far as the business Of the Office will
| admit, to furnish llsts OF voters. or other In
| formation. to citizens or parties necessary to n
! proper canvass, whom desired. Did the law au-
thorize my Undertaking this labor Of canvass-
| Ing the means placed Mt my disposal are on
ttrely inadequate to the proper performance of
tho work. Regarding the canvass contemplated
| Ms ono which must In some measure assume the
character Of a partisan work which | am glad
to be relieved from the performance. II any
such duties which might fond to affect tho I'M
biased and unprtjudIced position which my
Office imposes. | deem 1t only proper to convey
Mt this time salutEry cautions and Instructions
to any persons engaged In such canvass. My
decisions in such cases / regard as In a
sense. quasi judicial In determining whether
sufficient proof under the law has been fur
ntshed and tho statute properly com ied with
In order to secure he erasure Of u name. The
aifidaytts of two reputable citizens will be- re-
dured rs n condition precedent to striking of.
and the deposition must clearly specify the
cause for erasure In cases complained Of for
non residence 1t must be set forth that not only
due inquiry Of the inhabitants of tho residence
given has boon made, but tho affiiavtts must
also state that said residents were Mt that time
of the registration complaned of domiciliated
at the place. or In default thereof there should
be contained statements OF those who were at
the time residing 10 said house and since re-
moved. or in default thereof there must be
proof of non-residence of tho alleged fraudu-
lent voter by the landlord Of the premises or
persons at the time resident In the yicinage. or
other conclusive proof.
In all cases. names. dates, numbers and
streets must be az accurately specified rs cir
cumstances of the case will permit. In all
other instances where. for other causes than
non-residence. an erasure Is sought to be made
affidavits must be clear. unqualified. and detail
from whom the information was received.
The right of franchise being essentially
sacred one. guaranteed to every qualified voter
and deprivation of his vote to any eIector
however humble, being grievous wrong, the
utmost care must be observed in executing the
summary methods devised by the Legislature
TO protect the purity of the ballot and guarantee
the right OF the citizen. In ait doubtful cases.
where the proof is not such as In the opinion
OF the Registrar. Is required by the strict letter
OF the law. he conceives 1t his duty to give the
benefit Of the doubt to the voter or person claim
ing registration.
These instructions are published for the bene-
fit OF canvassers, in order to save vast amount
of unnecessary labor which must inevitably re-
suit from careless or negligent execution of
the work and a disregard to these essentials.
CHARLES CAVANAC
Registrar of Voters. Parish of Orleans.
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