The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1889-03-15
THE ELECTION LAW.
EHE &MESDMENTS BY THE LEG
I>i&FI ARE VERY SLIGHT.

II was Amended Only in Those Partic-
ular> " here Necessary TO Secure Free.
dom and Honesty III Elections.
The Republicans IN the Legislature and
tile Republican newspapers in the State
ave sought 10 mslead the people in re
gard to the changes made by the General
Assembly il he election laws. We charge
lpon Ill "a that they have tried to make
Il tt5>e i'm pc ssIon for partisan purposes
a tell them that the people are not
aud viii not be deceived by untrue
~.,emeutS.
ia understand the changes fully il is
va ta 90 back to the recent election The
l4srs of the CHRONICLE will remember
aar 10 Forsyth and other counties large
mher Of negroes registered and voted
ap hat 10 ,esal right The old law re
4a.rrd the Registrar upon the oath of an
e.ee qr and the testimony of one other
,-eytar to allow registration. This often
d fraud. The new law requires an
e-rar TO furnish Testimony under oath,
satisfactory to the Registrar This change
.la~ proposed in the CHRONICLE last No
sr-Aatl aAu = an important ana hetGed
change The other changes are that the
Registrar shall be appointed in September
instead OF october, and that the books
shall be closed on the second Saturday be
tore the election ms change VIII pre-
ven. e"jeHizatlon- Another provision Is
raat / a Judge OF Election refuses to serve,
ae other judges may appoint any discreet
Fsrs j IN his place This was made nee
e>NafH ~ haFes circulars OF last fah 10
which he advised republican polI-holders
no. TO serve. Now If Republicans appoint
et do not serve, the Democrats vii mold
The elections
The only three other changes are hr>t'
that the Judges OF election prefer the
polling places NAY BE RALLIED OFF Other
WISE the elections shalt be conducted as
heretofore. This provision will be valua-
p.e q large precincts, but VIII not be used
elsewhere II Is provided that the voting
for state and county officers NAY be Kept
parare from the vo'lng Tor Members OF
Congress aud Presidential Electors This
~ optional and viii not be needed or used
unless PRESIDENT HARRISON attempts 70
control elections in North Carolina. II he
does, then his National agents cannot spy
mo and control state eleelloI7. hls = d
preparation to 1orestall any hostile action
upon the part or the Republican Congress
If We are let alone, We Will not need to
separate the elections II there is ~ at
tempt At Federal interference we Will not
submit to any violations of our rights dc a
state
The last change is that the Board OF
Cauyassers will have judicial powers. They
exercised such powers under the Old law
until the supreme Court construed the law
not 70 grant judicial powers This change
merely gives in explicit language the pow
ers they have always exercised.
Now the above are plain explanations
Of the changes and the reasons that caused
them TO be made We submit that ali the
cIamor and .'hulIabaloo" raised about
them i mere cheap Republican clap trap
-ound and fury siguifying nothing 1t
viii make no impression upon sensible
r-opIe when there is a perfect understand
frg Of the changes. To prevent repeating,
~, na+ a stop TO colonization. to be ready
"A, ,....el,rna+e the Republican Congress, to
,.-o.ysd4. AGAINST a lu.b and intimidation
al the POLLS. and to give the Board OF Can
va..er, power TO pass upon returns all
these fhIngs demanded Slight changes in
og, election machinery. and they have
been made. and will be commended and
endorsed bv the faiI minded people of
both toIitjcal parties Indeed when the
rnarrer was under consideration III the
Hou.a Mn Thrill. Republican member
from Cherokee secured the adoption of
ami amendment providing that there should
he no crowiing around the polls, and then
left the House and would not vote against
t,A h4Ii
TIE threat made by some Of the Repub
leans that if the changes in the election
law were made the negroes would leave
The state was puerle- No changes except
hose needed were made and the legisla-
rgr- were not to be deferred from doing
rrasr dflty tn threats If the negroes are
unwilling 10 live under the election la"
amended they viii have to leave the
-,,.o. fC,r +b.ra i no fairer law in
4