Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-04-20

YORKVILLE. 8. c.:
THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 30, 1882
REGISTRATION.


ers to the Registration Act, published Oh the
fourth page of this issue. The reading and
studying of the Act as it stands on the Statute
book will give all a clear idea of their duties
in the premises. In general terms, and for
the information of those who may be inditfer-
ent upon the subject, it may be proper to say
/. That registration is absolutely essential
to enttle any person to vote. In the next
general election, or any subsequent election,
until the repeal of the law, no matter how
long he may have been citizen of the county,
what his age, color or previous condition, no
man will be allowed to vote if he is unable to
produce his certificate of registration. The
opinion voter may entertain of the LAW, or his
conclusion that he will be permitted to vote,
any way, when the time comes, will avail him
nothing. The certificate of registration is pre-
requisite to his voting, and without his certifi-
cate his voice at the ballot-box will be sienced.
2. There is no fee to be paid by the voter
for registering. Such impression prevails with
some, but it is entirely erroneous. Registra-
tion will cost She voter nothing, except the
time devoted to attending the Registers ap-
pointment at the voters own precinct.
3. There are number of persons, middle
aged and elderly men, who may regard this
law as unneces ary and oppressive-a blow at
their constitutional rights and privileges as
freemen-and decide that they will not regis
ter, but will abide the consequences of fall
ure or neglect to do so. To such tits but prop
er to say that that this law was not aimed at
them, nor should they construe any of>its re-
quirements as degrading to them. The object
of the law is to secure fair elections, which, it
is claimed, can be had only by registration,
and all classes must come alike under the
operation of the law.
Of the expediency or the propriety of the
law, it is now OF no avail to discuss. Like all
legislative enactments, it has its advocates
and likewise it's opponents; and to this latter
class especially is this article directed. We
wish to impress upon them the absolute I'M
portance of registering, and at theproper time,
whether the law meets their approval or not.
The law emanates as Democratic measure :;
but we warn all apathetic Democrats that
every Republican voter in the State will be
on hand promptly and in due time to register
1t is not their privilege alone, but, as free men
and citizens, their duty. So it is no less the
duty of the white voters-the DemocratS-to
comply with the provisions of a law, not de-
grading nor oppressive, but enacted to secure
fair election by permitting only qualified
voters to exercise the right of franchise and to
prevent repeating at the polls by a class of
voters so aptly described by the Chester Re-
porter as being as nearly alike as so many black
peas in basket. If none voted except those
having the right to vote, or if a number of vo-
ters would he content by the casting of simply
one ballot, instead of voting ''early and often,"
as it is alleged they do, there would have
seemed no necessity for the enactment of this
law; but in the present condition of affairs
it has been regarded by the General Assembly
as wise and proper, and it behooves all citizens
to strictly comply with its requirements.
AS will be seen, Col. w. II. McCorkle, Su-
pervisor of Registration for York, publishes
his appointments for meeting the voters Of the
county at their respective precincts, and we
say to all, Be prompt to register!