The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-01

those VINO signed this letter did not fully
consider the import OF the letter. and fur
Their, that this Is rather a late hour to bring
these charges. just on the eve OF election,
against the officers Of registration"
Mr.. MEINHARD's POSITION.
Mr.. Meinhard agreed with Col. Estill
fully with regard TO the matter Of the APP
pointment Of the clerk. He did not believe
there had been any frauds. He thought
the explanation contained In the statement
submitted by Mr.. Charlton should be ac-
cepted by the board as satisfactory. and
that the gentlemen should be allowed access
TO the books OF registration.
Mr.. Smart next took up the subject, and
said:
LAS l understand IL, the request Of these
| gentlemen contained in their letter is based
on the charge that there were many names
/ left of the list at the last registration that
should have been there. and that there were
names OF others on the list who had not
registered, aud that they were willing to
produce sworn evidence IN support OF this
statement"
Mr.. Charlton took the position that this
meant that the people who applied TO vote
and who we're found not to be registered
were willing then to produce sworn evil
dence Of their right to vote, and that this
was not meant to apply to the gentlemen
who had signed the letter.
MIR. Collins said the other day, u said Col.
Estill, "that he could produce the evidence
and he was given until to-day to produce
his Witnesses
NOT PROSECUTORS.
II don't care now what Mr.. Collins did
them" said Mr.. Charlton ave are not
going to be forced into the position OF prose-
cutors."
Capt Dillon stated his position 10 the
matter. After reading his paper he said:
ut would seem that the matter. is very easy
OF solution. These gentlemen say that they
do not charge any one with fraud, nor do
they intend to reflect on any person or off,
cial. ! would ask, however, as these
charges stand on record that a committee
from this board be appointed 20 investigate
them. We have the names Of the persons
whom they say can prove the charges and
we can summon them here. In the mean
time see no harm In giving the gentlemen
permission TO examine these books. / do
insist, however, that this investigation be
continued and that the persons whose names
they have given us be summoned here to
prove the Irregularities complained Of.
II think the disclaimer of any intention
to impugn the honor OF this board,n said
DIR. Read, sis sufficient. 1 should be in
favor of letting these gentlemen inspect the
books
Mr. Saussy was asked for an opinion of
the law upon this question. He said:
There is no provision in the law for an in
spection Of the books by anybody. The
law is that when the registration closes at
the expiration OF three months from
the first Monday in March the lists
must be printed, and these printed
lists must be exposed in certain public
places in order that every person registered
may have an opportunity to see that his
name Is on tue list, and IL his name Is not on
the list he has the right 90 complain to this
board. and 1t is their duty to examine into
the matter and. il the facts warrant 1t, to
put his name on the list"
THE Law ON THE sUBJRoT.
Mr. 5sussy read the following extract
from the law on the subject Of registration:
COUNTY REGIsTRATIoN-LAw APPROVED FEB. g.
1874.
The person 10 be registered shall give his
name, age occupation and residence that
when said commissioners and ex-offico judges
or supervisors OF elections shall discover that
any person, or persons, shall frauduently have
registered their name or names, who are non
residents in the county, under age or aliens.
said commissioners and ex-offlcio judges shall
be aud are hereby authorized to strike from
the registry such name, or names; but before
the registering the name of any person. or per-
sons, the said commissioners shall have the
power to compel such person to produce and
exhibit his receipt or receipts, for state and
county taxes for the year next preceding the
time Of application for registry,
Mr.. Saussy said there was no warrant In
law for any inspection OF the books of
registration by any one outside the county
commissioners neither was there anything
In the law TO prohibit it II the commissioners
desired TO permit 1t.
Mr. Msinhard moved that the four gentle
men named in the petition be allowed to In
spect the books IL they desired, that the
clerk OF the board and the clerk of registra-
ton be present and that inspection be under
the supervision Of the board.
TO CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION.
Col Estill added as an amendment that
the Investigation Of the charges made by
the gentlemen as to the Irregularities In the
registration at the last election DO
continued. The amendment was accepted,
but was nfterward embodied in separate
resolution. Both resolutions were passed.
Capt. Dillon was asked at what hour Mon
day morning he would be ready with the
books Of registration and replied at o'clock.
On motion Of Col. Estill the board decided
TO meet at 3 o'clock Monday afternoon to
proceed with the investigation OF the al
legged Irregularities OF the last registration.
The witnesses named by MIR. Charlton in
his statement will be summoned to appear
before the board, The commissioners are
not inclined to let the matter drop and will
sift the charges TO the bottom.
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