The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-09
A CARD FROM THE REGISTRAR OF
VOTERS.
OFFICE OF REGISTRAR OF VOTERS,
New Orleans, March 5, 1879.

New Orleans, Mhrch 3. 1879. }
Application having been made to mo- rs Re-
gstrar Of Voters, to appoint canvassers and to
superintend the examining into cases OF fraud
ulent registration. l have declined so to do. for
the reason that under the law my duties are
confined in this particular to the striking off OF
the names of persons fraudulently registered
or of those who have died or removed from the
parish since the last election or are otherwise
disqualified. upon due proof being made as re-
quired by the statute. shall at all times be
ready, so far as the business of the Office will
admit, to furnish lists Of voters. or other in
formation, to citizens or parties, necessary to
proper canvass when desired. Did the law au-
thorize my undertaking this labor OF CANVASS
ing. the means placed at my disposal are en-
tirely inadequate to the proper performance of
the work Regarding the CANVASS contemplated
as one which must In some measure assume the
character of q partisan work, which | am glad
| to be relieved from the performance of any
euch duties which might tend to affect the I'M
biased and unprejudiced position which my
| office imposes deem 1t only proper to convey
at this time sautary cautions and instructions
| to any persons engaged in such Canvass My
decisions in such eases | regard as In a
sense, quasi judicial in determining whether
| sufficient proof under the law has been fur
nished and the statute properly compled with
| in order to secure the erasure Of q name. Tho
| affldavits of two reputable citizens will be re-
CURED as d condition precedent to striking off.
| and the deposition must clearly specify the
| cause for erasure La cases complained Of for
non residence it must be set forth that not only
due inquiry of the inhabitants of the residence
/ given has been made, but the affidavits must
! also state that said residents were at the time
of the registration complained Of dOmiclliated
at the place. or In default thereof there should
| be- contained statements OF those who were at
the time residing in said house sad since re-
| moved. or in absence Of th&5 there must be
proof Of residence OF the alleged fraudu-
lent voter by tho landlord of the promises or
| persons at the time resident in the vieinage. or
other conclusive proof.
! In all cases. names. dates, numbers end
streets must baa7 accurately specified as the cir
| cumstances Cd the case viii permit. In all
other Instances where, for other canses than
non-residence. an erasure is sought to be made,
/ affdayits must be clear. uneduiTocal. and detail
| from whom the information was received.
The right of franchise being essentially a
| sacred one. guaranteed to every qualified voter
and deprivation OF his vote to any elector
however humble. being grievous wrong. thz
! utmost caro- must be observed in executing tbs
summary methods devised By the Legislature
10 protect che purity of the ballot and guarantee
the right of the cit zen. In al doubtful cases
where the proof is not such as. in the opinion
of the Registrar. . required by the strict Letter
of the law. he conoeives It mis- duty to giveth
benefit of the douI to the voter or person claim
ing registration.
These instructions are published for the bene
fit Of canvassers, In order to save a vast amour
of Unnecessary labor which must inevitably re
, suit from carsless or negligent execution c
the york and & disregard OF these essentials.
CHARLES CAVANAC,
Registrar of Voters. Parish Of Orleans.
| TahR