The Portland daily press., 1891-11-16
OPEN LETTER
To the Hon. william r. HaInes, Au.
thor Of the Registration Law.

My dear sir-The following clipping,
taken from the Advertiser Of this city, Is
undoubtedly correct report Of what you
said:
Senator Haines of Waterville, the author OF
tne registration law, Is quoted as saying: "The
object OF the law is to get as near perfect lis,
as possible, and these IN en- ON the board, repre-
sentlng both political parties. have got TO be re-
they are given the widest discrimination with
regard to preparing the first list. The statute
says that they are to make the list OF such per-
voters. As to how they shall determine who
appears TO be legally qualified voters, there are
many ways, and l think sufficient time and
tically correct. Now they can start with the
old check lists and from those add to and
strike from as they see 1T. They can hold as
sonal interviews with the voters and give notice
70 appear before them; In short, they can do
an that appears to be necessary TO ascertain
VINO are and who are not legal voters and it Is
their duty to do this. The matter of expense
should be taken into consideration. To require
personal registration Of such men as to wnom
there Is no question Is inexpedient."
Now. sir, there is several statements in
this report Of your sayings that wish to
discuss
First-As to the object of the law, we are
all agreed, viz: To get as near perfect list
as possible.
Second-The Board of Registrars have
got to be responsible for 1t. Under Sec. s
they are given the widest discrimination In
preparing the first list. The statute says
they are to make the list Of such persons
as may appear to them legally qualified
voters. Now, then. how are they to de-
termine who are legally qualified to go up-
on said list.
You say there are many ways" II, as
you assert, there are many ways, how hap
pens 1t that some one of the way was not
incorporated into the law and thereby re-
lieye the Board of Registrars ofithe several
cities Of so great responsibility as is
thrust upon them. 1t seems to me you are
stopped at this late day In advising as TO
the "medus operandf" of making the first
| list, otherwise you should have made it a
condition In the organic act.
Third-You say. ito require personal
| registration of such men as to whom there
Is no question Is inexpedient."
| This plan Is not only not feasible In car
rying it into practical operation, but would
work unequally inasmuch as 1t would create
a favored class" The requirement of the
law in making up the voting list to print
the street and number as we'll as the name
of the voter Is an important factor. The
board might know some Of the prominent
men (the number would be comparatively
smalD OF the city, but as to their street and
number there might be doubt. This plan
was put to test and abandoned. The
name OF man we'll known to all citizens.
who holds prominent official position was
submitted, and by unanimous consent his
name was to be recorded on the voting list.
To hnd his street and number the city di.
rectory was resorted to, and the record
there was considered as correct. BY mere
accident 1t was learned that he mad
changed his domicile.
Inc name OF well known citizen, known
personally TO the board would have re-
ceived favorable consideration had 1t been
presented, and placed upon the list under
this plan. as he has been an alderman and
nas iVe9 and voted here for more tnar
twenty-five years. When, however, he
came before the board and made applIca
ZION 70 90 registered In person, the fact
was disclosed that he had not complied
Win the requirements of law making hin
sa sa AUG ssu9pLed cltizen, although he supposed
ne nad done so. The name Of another citi
en- well known by the board, Of whom nC
,ion cedo1 would W. have b en- raised, upon appll
cation 10 pc registered as voter. upon AZ
animation showed that his papers were de
iective, In that he was. naturalized unde,
the name of William - whila ha hss
peen known and has been taxed as John
| w. - N~ - ON-
l submit it to you to say II you think
tnat good way to obtain, as near as posi-.
t,, pie, perfect list, which Is to be founda-
IouI utterances are source Of great en-
oarrassment TO the registrars in getting as
near as possible perfect list.
allow me TO say respectfully. 10 conclu'
sion, tnat the persons composing the boards
Oh REGISTRARS are fully as competent, and
possess greater facilities Of judging what