Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-02-26

The following is the opinion of the registry
act by J. K. Weatherford in the oregonian.
Portland. Feb. 10.

The following is the opinion of the registry
act by J. K. Weatherford in the Oregonian
PORTLAND, Feb. I9.
To THE EDITOR OF THE OREGoNIAN:
As the time approaches for registration, the
people are beginning to examine into the law
with regard to it, that they may be able to act
accordingly. They are wise in this, as it is
composed of so many parts, demanding close
scrutiny unravel, analyze, and extract the true
meaning thereof. The registersof voters (who
are also judges Of election) meet in their re-
Spcctlve precincts, on the first Monday of
March, according TO page 48, laws of Oregon,
special session, which was passed subsequent
Ito, and repealed all acts, and part of acts in
consistent herewith they are in session but Z
days. An elector must appear before the
board OF his own precinct, during these three
days and receive his certificate for registration.
II during this time he is sick, or necessarily
absent from the precinct, he may at any time
until the IS of said month, apply to, and re-
| celve his certificate from the chairman of the
| board. But without this certificate he cannot
! vote. The number Of these registers Of voters
| throughout the state including the clerks would
be 2225.
Many in claiming against this law say ''that
although in Portland, Astoria and perhaps
The Dalles might receive benefit therefrom
IN more honest vote and count, yet the state
at large, being sparsely populated is in no
need oil SO crmberous and expensive law"
suppose this be true and that majority of the
members OF the legislature were fully aware of
IT., cannot we imagine that they felt that it was
| not discretiOnal with them, as the demand
for registration law was plank in each of the
party platforms upon which they were elected.
Some doubt the constitutionality Of the law.
Holding that under our state constitution,
section.2, article ?, every elector has right to
vote without presenting certificate OF regis
tration, rs ''the legislature cannot add to the
qualifications Of voters" l don't suppose
however, that any one viii attempt to test
this question, fearing to lose his vote. II has
been said that to carry this law into effect will
cost Jackson and Marion counties each $Io,o
and the state at large some 5000, 900. This is
mistake. The extra expense to each pre-
cinct with the registers and clerks, including
the cost of books, paper, printing, publishing
notices, sheriffs fees and mileage, county
clerk fees, transporting registers to the coun-
ty seat, rooms, pen, ink, fuel, county board
OF registration, ,etc. Then, there are extra bal
lot boxes and more expensive poll books re-
qulred, which In toto would amount to at least
500 precinct, and as there are 445 precincts
in the state, the whole expense for registration
alone would be some $4o,o5o.
Now, to tighten the expense to many of the
younger and throw greater portion upon the
more wealthy and populous counties, the law
was passed at the special session: (page IS.
THAT the board of county commissioners OF
each county shall, Immediately after any gen
eral election, audit and allow all amounts paid
by their respective counties to the Judges and
clerks OF elections while sitting as a board to
register voters, which amounts, when SO aud
tied and allowed, shall be deducted from the
amount OF state taxes next thereafter falling
due from snch counties respectively; and they
shall be entitled to have the same credited up
on the amount of the state taxes charged to
them respectively" This, at S4s a precinct,
amounts to some SEC, 1000, that provision must
be made for, out of state tax, which is nothing
more or less than bill for raising revenue, |
and should have originated in the house Of
representatives,, under our constitution, when in |
reality it originated in the senate. But
whether the law is expensive or constitutional, |
we must now abide by it, and it is TO be hoped |
that no elector will fail to register. Let us |
give it fair trial, looking forward to an hon
est vote and fair count.