The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-08
A CARD FROM THE REGISTRAR OF
VOTERS.
OFFICE OF REGISTRAR OF VOTERS,
New Orleans, March s. 1879.


New Orleans, March s. 1879.
Application having been made to me. as Re-
gistrar of Voters. to appoint canvassers and to
superintend the examining into cases Of fraud
ulent registration. have declined so to do. for
the reason that under the law my duties are
confined in this particular to the striking of Of
theinEmes of persons traudulently registered
or of those who have died or removed from the
parish since the last election OF are otherwise
disqualified, upon due pro- being made as re-
uured 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-
tirely inadequate to the proper performances Of
the work. Regarding the canvass contemplated
as one which must in some measure assume the
character Of a partisan work. which am glad
to be relieved from the performance OF any
such duties which might tend to affect the I'M
biased and unprejudiced position which my
Office imposes. 1 deem 1t only proper to convey
at this time salutary cautions and instructions
to any persons engaged In such canvass. My
decisions in such cases l regard as In a
sense, quasi judicial In Determining whether
sufficient proof under the law has been fur
nshed and the statute properly COMPLIED with
In order to secure the erasure OF a name. The
affdavits Of two reputable citizens will be re-
quired as condition precedent to striking off.
and the deposition must clearly specify the
cause for erasure In 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 affilavlts must
also state that said residents were at the time
OF the registration complained of domiciliated
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 absence Of this there must be
proof of on-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 az accurately specified as the 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,
afffdayits must be clear. uneuuivocal, and detail
from whom the information was received.
The right OF franchise being essentially a
sacred one guaranteed to every qualified voter.
and a deprivation of his vote to any eleetor,
however humble, being grieyous 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 all doubtful cases.
where the proof is not such as. In the opinion
OF the Registrar il required by the strict letter
Of the law. he conceives it his duty to give the
benefit of the doubt to the voter or person claim
Ing registration.
These instructions are published for the oene-
fit of canvassers in order to save vast amount
Of unnecessary labor which must inevitably re-
suit from a careless or negligent execution OF
the work and a disregard Of these essentials.
CHARLES CAVANAC.
Registrar of Voters. Parish of Orleans.
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