Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1888-10-20
ANOTHER cLINCHER.
THE AUTHOR OF THE REGISTKA.
TlON LAW SPEAKS,
Registrars Dnties-Ex animation Only
Ono Sentiuel-Oth Must be Passed
on the Way to the Ballot. BOX.

We say to all-every officer con. !
nected with the baIlot-box in Cassia
county, every citizen who desires to
guard the rights of tho people and
keep the ballot-bo pure, to read the
able, logical and convincing argu-
ments in the following letter Of Hon.
James II. Beatty, author Of the Reg
istration Law:
HALEY, Idaho, Sept. 10.
Hon. J. E. Hsrroun. Albion, Idaho:
DEAR SlR:-Yours Of the 9th inst
asking my views Oh certain provisions
OF the "Registra,ion Laws" is just re-
ceved.
While, as you Suggest, introduced
this law, yet the signihcation which |
attached to it when framing it is not
y basis for its construction. What
the Legislature intended is the rule,
and this must be reached by a con-
.ideration of the law itself and the
circumstances attending its enactment.
| With this rule alone in view,I reply
to your favor:
l. Is the Registrar compelled to
register as voters all who offer to take
the electors oath? or
2. May he, i'll addition to the ad'
ministration Of such oath, examine
the applicant as to his qualifications?
3. What is the limit Of such ex
animation?
4. If he finds by such examina-
ton that the applicant is disqualified,
may he reject HIM, even if he offers
to take said oath?
1t is we'll known that large por.
ton of SAID oath was intended to en-
clude, as voters, those who believed
and practiscd the teachings Of the
Mormon sect. 1t is generally we'll
, known that those people are so we'd
led to their church and so obedien,
E to its fatal creed, which is not onl,
= antagonls.ic to our civil institutions
. hut to tile civilization of the world
that very many Of them, at least dc
= not regard the sanc,ity OF our laws OF
even the oath by them prescribed
The Legislature, knowing these facts
intend to make the law sea,chin:
). aud effective, and certainly did no
4 intend to leave it to the discretion O
these people to vote simply by tskipi
y an oath which they might regard a
y not binding their consciences or whic
& they might take with a mental rese'
walton.
If the Registrar is compelled t
registrar all who will take said oath, h
is then without any Judicial dscret'o
"a mere automaton, to do the bid
ding of applicants for registration an
=, any ordinary citizen might easily pei
ic form the duties of the office. Blu
y the law, by Section 5o2, is careful t
g. require that this officer shall be
d qualified voter, good citizen All
- when possible, Justice OF the Peace
0, The logical conclusion is that tn
I Legislature intended no should be
< judicial officer invested with power
s. determine, from the facts, the quail
j. 6catious of all applicants and refus
rs those disqualified. Had the desig
90 been that the mere taking OF the oat
q should entitle the applicant to regis
~ tra,ion If it was a simple declaratio
= for the Legislature to make. IT
law in no place so declares, but
does say many things directly antal
onistic to such theory. Section 81
IS Sub. Div. First, prescribes: "He I'll
in Regis,rar) may, at any time, examln
I'D under oath, any applicant, and
Is. must likewise examine, also perm
etc. = either WIN
%, %. such applicant IS not known to t
SIX Registrar to be qualified, etc
Mt. There is no doubling the intent
YER this clause. 1t is not merely dire
tory but mandatory upon the Reg
trar, and positively requires him VIII
he does not know, Of his own kno,
edge, that the applicant is qualih'
mas to examine HIM. Not only that,
his NAV 1T any time and must, on prop
hes request, allow another elector to
it'll anime any applicant, whether
hal knows or not the applicant is qu'
ath fed. What is the object Of such I
this aminations? 1t is not for mere FOL
not 1t must be to learn whether the
DR.. plicant is qualified or not. If IT
mp found he is not, it certainly cannot
talk claimed he must be registered, e,
and if he is willing to take the oath. !
lsly would make the examin alton PROVO
IT," for a mere farce and the Legislat
of which enacted the provisions, the
title thor of comedy instead Of solemn
What is the limit Of such examl
tion-what questions may be ask
Sections 500 and SOL prescribe
qualifications of voters and any
animation or questions are perth
which will tend to show whether
applicant is qualified or disquall
under the provisions of these
sections. 1t is also provided IN
5O4 that if any applicant refuses
answer all questions, etc he nus