The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-02-17
A NEW REGISTRATIONS
Books Will be Opened Thirty
Days Before the Election.

NOW tnat the new clJy cnarIer mas
gone into effecs and the fact that there
are i've wards in the city, with now divi-
sions and additions, the question has
arisen, How will the registration Of
voters be effected?
The matter seemed to be shrouded in
mystery yesterday morning when
TIMES reporter began to make inquiries
Hardly city official knew what would
be done, and some doubted whether or
not now registration would be neces-
sary. Some thought that q special act
of the legislature was necessary to call
a new registration. Had bill been in
troduced? Some had heard Of it. But
when was it? Such tumble and mix
ture of affairs! No records, no facts, no
nothing. Where was that electoral
board? Thore was no record to show
that such a board existed, but the NOM
bers were found, and now the matter is
ready to be put in shape.
j. o. Hanes, S. G. Evans and John
Carr compose the electoral board of
the city. They were elected by the
legislature of 18S9-9O, and hold office
for four years. They have power to
order new registra lion when necessary
or create new precincts. The full con-
duct of the election is in their hands.
They appoint the judges, clerks and
registrars.
The election will take place on
Thursday, May 90. Thirty days before
this date the books for new and COM
plete registration must be opened.
There are five wards and it necessarily
follows that there must be at least five
precincts. The old registrars can hold
over if they are in the ward to which
rifrir oil NO Jlnt
must be two new registrars appointed.
and judges and clerks for the additional
precincts.
-Four new polling places must be
established under different heads. One
for tho First. Second, Fourth and Fifth
wards. The Third ward polling place
is the only one which is not affected,
and this may be changed at the dis
erection of tho beard. The old First
ward precinct is now in the Second, and
the old Second ward precinct is now in
the Fourth ward.
Judge Robertson said yesterday that
new registration was necessary, and
the matter should be looked into. He
was under the impression that a bill
should be introduced in the legislature
providing for special registration. If
this was not done it was within the
jurisdiction of the court to order spe-
cial registration.
But it seems that tho amended bill
introduced in the legislature at the
session of 1SS9-00 gives the electoral
board the power to order new regis
tration. as we'll as to create new pre-.
cincts. This matter is definitely settled,
so far as that part of the work in start
ing the now government is concerned.
Col. Brooke, clerk of the Hastings
Court, said yesterday that the cleo toral
board had held few meetings hereto
fore, and doubted if any record could be
found. 1t was body independent and
possessed considerable power and priv
ileges and its work should always be
on record.
The present board met just before the
new registration was ordered and per-
fected the whole election machinery.
Since that time it has made some
changes in the officers of election, but
has not held meeting since. The
members will probably get together at
no distant date, and make such appoint
ments and locate such new precincts as
may be necessary.
1t will be the duty of the City Council,
after the board has located the new pre-
cincts, to provide suitable building, or
room, in which to hold the election
The electoral board is creature OF the
Malone legislature. Prior to the pas
sage of that act the judges of the county
and Hastings Courts appointed the cleo
tion officers.