Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-10
The KegistrntLon act Tor savannsh.

Editor Morning Nel0S: At the Demo-
cratic mass meeting last fall the exist
ing registration acts received condem-
nation sufficiently severe to have satisfied
its authors of the miscarriage of their pet
scheme, and that the Democrats of this
city detested its unfairness and demanded
Justice. Now, / see that Col. Reilly has
introduced into the Legislature another
registration bill. dn all respect to our
legislators, think that any bill affecting
the liberties, privileges and property of
the citizen ought to be published in full,
and the citizen should at least be per-
mitted to have the sorrowful satisfaction
of knowing what kind of chains are TO be
clanking about these liberties and privi-
leges.
Legislators. both State and municipal,
not infrequently leQislate in a way in
tended 20 squeeze every body except them
selves and their immediate sympathizers,
and m nothing has this selfish policy been
more exhibited than in the embarrass-
ments and difficulties thrown around the
right TO the ballot.
take II tor granted that our Senator
and representatives desire to shield aud
protect the rights of every citizen, not
merely Democrat, but Temperance, Anti
Total Abstinence, Republican, Neutral
or any other party. At least all these
parties have right to a fair exercise OF
their liberties and privileges whether our
Senator and Representatives think 80 or
not.
Now, it is very well known that | was
the one lover of the rights OF the people Of
this city against any clique or ring who
mad the courage to face Democratic
audience and denOunce the wrOnX-d0ing
of those in high piaces-in nothing more
outTag eOusly than in the tricks of regis
tTatiOn. And yet, if any one of these
leaders has ever asked a suggestion as TO
what the people wanted, and not what
new trick would most completely fool
them, am yet to hear il. Certainly
neither Of them ever asked such infOrma-
ti0n from me.
propose, therefore, to make some pub
lie suggestions TO Col. Reilly and his as
sOciates:
First Your registration bill ought to
be published and let us see what il is
Second. 1t ought 20 put the registration
Of voters under the control of the educa-
ti0nal boards, to whom its funds belong
by constitutional provisions, aud who
would therefore have direct interest in
seeing that the voters paid their poll
taxes.
Ihirdly. NO Judge OF any court should
have anything 10 do with the political
machinery OF the state.
FouthlY. The name OF every male citi-
zen over 81 wears " age. who has paid
his taxes for the previous year. whether
on property and poll. or on poll il he owns
no property, should be placed on the
voters list Cor registration list IL you
prefer that name }, whether the individual
puts II there or not. When the citizen
pays his taxes he has done his duty 10 the
state, and no tricks or requirements Of
law should be made or provided which
deprive him of his right 10 vote.
Finally. The payment Of poll taxes for
the previous year should ontltle the citi-
zen to have his name on the voters list.
The trick gotten up 10 exclude him for
ever unless he pays up for series OF back
years for privileges never enjoyed is
harsh, unjust. and contrary 10 every prin-
ciple OF justife applicable in all other
matters.
| say again 10 Col. Reilly and his asso-
ciaies, publish your registration bin"
We are not ~ wise as solomon, but we
love liberty as we'll as you do: and we
want 10 know what kind Of chains are 70
clank about II. LOUIS A. FALLIGANT.