The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-02-07
The New Registration Bin.

The New Registration Bill.
We have received copy Of tho propos.
ed new registration law, and although we
have not given it careful consideration
throughout, VIC observed enough to CON
Clude that it is no improvement on the
present law and will be equally as expen-
siye.
1t provides for two registrations as now
--ono for registration and one for revision
the registrars to sit in September six
days in Baltimore city and three days in
the counties, and in October three days in
Baltimore and two days in the coun-
ties; and for general new registra-
tion in 1881. Registrars are to serve
when appointed, under penalty Of $500
finc, and there is to be one for each cleo
tion district in the counties and one for
each voting precinct in Baltimore and in
each municipality. Besides, there is to be
an alternate for each registrar, the alter
nate to serve in the stead of the registrar
when the registrar for good and sufficient
cause cannot act. The per diem Of regis
trars is left blank, but it is the idea of
Governor Hamilton, we belive, and some
others, to pay them two dollars day.
Tho Baltimore city registrars are to re-
ceivc an annual salary, which is also left
blank. In Baltimore city an attorney is
to be appointed at salary Of three hun
drea dollars year as counsel for the reg
istrars in appeal cases, and in the counties
the States attorneys are to perform that
duty.
The present law nor the proposed one
suits our view They arc both two expen-
sive aud contain two much. There is no
need Of swelling the number Of Office. hold
ers, as proposed by the new law, aud there
is no need of both a September aud an
October sitting, For the purpose of an,
nual registration and revision, two days in
the counties and three days in Baltimore
are ample with the present number Of reg
istrars, and such sittings should be in 0c-
tober. People can attend to the privilege
Of getting registered at one time just as
well as at another; and if registrars sat
the whole year, some would 90 at the
last momeat and some even would apply
too late. In no country district does it
require more than two days, aud three days
would suffice in Baltimore city.
In addition, as a matter of convenience
to voters, registrars should be permitted to
register voters and give transfers at any
time during the ten days previous to the
regular sitting, for which ten cents a name
might be allowed, the registrars to make
oath to the number so registered and trans
ferred.
The compulsory system, requiring regis
trars to serve under heavy penalty, as
proposed by the new law, does not meet
our appreciation, nor does the per diem of
two dollars. No man should be obliged to
take an Office against his will, especially
when there are so many who would gladly
fll it. The Office Of registrar is an impor-
tant one, aud has great responsibilities at
tached to il. The registrar is the judge
of the qualifications of voters, aud if he
rejects or strikes off name illegally, he is
liable to suit for damages. In this view
of the case registrars should be men of in
telligenee and men of some property, and
to obtain such good pay should be offered.
Five dollars day would not be two much,
and with such an inducOment good men
would accept the position.