The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-08-23
FOURTH EDITION.
Explaining the Reglstratioa Law.

Attorney. General John Il. Nlchol-
son came to Wilmington yesterday
afternoon for the purpose OF explain
ing the new election law to the regis
Itrars in the rural hundreds. There are
thirty registrars, oil good Democrats
appointed by John L. Dickey and me
to Governor Reynolds. A meeting
was held In the rooms OF the Young
Mems Democratic Club, and while it
was not publicly announced, 1t was
fairly well attended.
He explained the registration OF a
voter by having one OF the registrars
to personate voter. MIR. Nicholson
then asked him the questions allowed
by law.
Tho questions relative to the pay
ment OF a tax, tho possession of natur-
Ializatlon papers, IL foreigner, and the
date OF the payment OF q Tax were
'iasked, and the registrars were then
'lshown how to make proper entry. OF
registration of u voter in their books,
Mr.. Nicholson then told the regis
trars In the event of a man stating
that he had paid tax but did not have
II satisfied with his statement, reg
lister him and place his name In
the column headed MAY be Quail
Ililed." II not satisfied they could
refuse to register the man until the
following Saturday, when the applica-
ton Is made on the first day that ths
registrars are to sit. In case q for
eigner has not his naturalization
papers with him the register may, il
satisfied that he has such papers, regis.
ter him, or they may. II 1t is OH the
first day of registration, refuse to
Register him ard let him produce the
4 ina n hn Etsnt - a
| Ii mnn has all the qualifications
for an elector except having plid taN
AMI his name of course appearing
upon tho assessment list the reg lstrars
'lsh Ill register him and place his mann
in tho column May be qualified. The
same Is to DO done in case Il man has
mot been u native of the State for u
Sufficient length OF time to eutitle him
to vote at tho time of the registration,
'Ibut will become qualified in regard to
residence before tho election Is held
In case man has not boon a citizen of
the country long enough to secure
naturalization papers, but Will secure
them before the election Is held, such
a man is to be registered In the col.
Iumu headed, May be Qualified" In
i nses where there is not time for q
] man to produce his tax receipt OF NJ
naturalization papers when he has for
gotten to bring them. such Us on tn
last day OF registration, the registrar
have judicial power and must judg
4 Tor themselves and be guided by til
law as they understand il. Ii they al
mot satisfied with the statement o
the man then they mood not registe
him. This Is In cases whare ali lega
qualifications are not pro 3entDd,
Mr.. Nicholson also instructed til
registrars in their powers under til
law. These powers, no said, are sim
lar to those OF a Justice OF tho peace
i II man attempts to reglster Illegal.
they have tho power to order his al
rest Mt once on that charge. In ca
disorder Is committed about the plac
OF registration the registrar has til
power to order the arrest OF the offend
ling person.
j Tho explanation of the regi5tratlo
laws by Mr.. Nicholson were so plan
that lots Of poor, weII-meaning voter
who are unable to read will be cheate
out of their franchise The law wa
fframed with this particular idea Ii
J view, and another thing the new
patent Delaware voting disfranchiZim
j booths will add a pretty penny for ouI
people to foot Mt the meeting OF tn.
: next Legislature