The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-06
A CARD FROM THE REGISTRAR OF
VOTERS.
OFFICE OF REGISTRAR OF VOTERS, |
NSW Orleans. March &. 1879.


New Orleans, March g. 1879. !
Application having been made to me- as Re
gistrar of Voters. to appoint canvassers and to
superintend the examining into cases of fraud
uent registration. | have declined 80 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 iraudulently 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 rs re-
CURED 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 a
proper canvass. when desired. Did the law au-
thoriZe my undertaking this labor Of canvass
Ing. the means placed at my disposal are en-
tirey inadequate TO the proper performance of
the work. Regarding the canvass contemplated
as one which must In some measure assume the
character OF partisan work. which l am glad
to be relieved from the performance. If any
such duties which might tend to affect the un-
biased and unprejudieed position which my
office imposes. deem IL only proper to convey
at this time saluary cautions and Instructions
to any persons engaged In such canvass. My
decisions in such cases | regard as Ia a
sense. quasi judicial in Determining whether
sufficient proof under the law has been fur
nished and the statute properly complied with
in order to secure the erasure of a name The
affidavitS OF two reputable citizens will be re-
CURED as condition precedent to striking off
and the deposition must clearly specify the
cause for erasure. In cases complained of for
non residence IL must be set forth that not only
due inquiry of the inhabitants OF the residence
given has been made. but the aflidavlts must
also state that said residents we're at that 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 and since re-
moved. or In default thereof there must be
proof of non residence OF the alleged fraudu-
lent voter by the landlord of the premises or
persons at the time resident in the vicinage. or
other conclusive proof.
In all cases, names, dates. numbers and
streets must be "a accurately specified as 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,
affdavits 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 elector.
however humble, being grievous wrong. the
utmost care must be observed Ia executing the
summary methods devised by the Legislature
70 protect the purity of the ballot and guarantee
The right OF the citizen. In all doubtful cases.
Where the proof is not such as. in the opinion
Oh the Registrar is required by the strict letter
OF the law. he eonceives 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-
NJ Oh canvassers, in order to save a vast amount
o. unnecessary labor which must inevitably re-
suit from careless or negligent execution OF
uae work and disregard to these essentials.
CHARLES CAvANAC.
Registrar of Voters. Parish OF Orleans.