The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1894-08-23
RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNTY COW
WsS'OHERS FOR HONEST ELtC,
TONS.

Duriug ia" month Oi July I"E 'A'' /
SIAN received letters from s"ycrh different
countic- giving an account ol the 'le'''o''
of county commissioners So. on ISL MONDAY
in June. Thee cUu,~p ondchts say tiat
certain rn,n nave been turned down as com
nissioucr- who wcrc supposed to favor Il
fair election this year, and especially the
men who had So expressed themselves "'''
turned down by tie machine. We 90 ho'
wish 10 believe this and will not TIL "c
have some eyideuc" from the actions Ol the
commissioners. When the Registrars and
Judges Of election are appointed the people
can then Judge according to the character
of the men appointedJ where the coinmls-
sioners are III favor Of fair elections, ana
where they are simply tools OF the Simmons
Pou machine. There Is but one Registrar
for every precinct and OF course III nearly
every case lie will be Democrat. But every
one has i right to expect and demand that
only men OF character and sterling integrity
lie appointed to hi such an important Office
1t is true that the Registrar Is not required
to cake an oath to perform his duty as Reg
istrar. but We had rather trust an honest
man without being sworn than a machine
hcnchman who had taken a dozen Oa;hs.
If the latter kind Of man is appointed then
that is prIna face evidence that the com
missiOners selected him to commit fraud.
But the law provides that the commissioners
shall also appoint four judges Of election and
that two OF the judges, at least shall be Of a
different political party from the commits
IL. al. In.
the law be Democrats i'll every voting pre-
cinct and they should be men of unques
toned integrity-mcn who believe i'll hon
esty i'll politics as we'll as III business. There
are such men still left III the Democratic
party and where the commissioner are III
favor of fair play they will appoint such
men The other two judges should be
from the Peoples party where it is the only
other party organization. Where there are
as many as three other party organizations
then the commissioners should appoint only
the registrar and one judge of the election
from the Democratic party, and appoint one
Judge from each OF the other three parties
The same kind of men referred to above
should he selected for Judges to represent
the fdll1 anu ONl1l PtlAtg vi S0t'i4'E-'N
tons, for there is no more important Oh
sacred duty than to be intrusted with the re
ceiving and canvassng the sutfrages of ;
free and independent people. In order tina
there may be no doubt about the rights anC
interests of all parties being properly guard
cd, the commissioners should appoint sucl
men for judges to represent the People
4 /,
the commissioners, a. are recommended by
the executive committees of such parties
We are sure that us a rule the commission
ers will appoint such men, but when the.
do not, it is again prima facie evidence of in
tended fraud.
The old fashion honest way of holdin
elections, is to have the boxes in the brOa
open day light and where all can see. Their
is no need or excuse in North Carolina t
hold elections in bull pen" by candl
Light, and when it is done it is absolut
proof of fraud.
The sentiment in this State is CROWN
strong in all parties against manipulatin
votes and certifying to false returns an
other fraudulent methods. We have bee
assured by hundreds of Democrats tbs
such methods as were used i'll the last ele,
ton would never again be tolerated by tn
best element in the Democratic party. W
have entire confidence in the integrity an
sincerity.of these men. But we fear TIL;
the machine will not put these men o
guard. Besides we fear that the machiI
can find enough men in the party who al
willing to carry out the instructions {
the machine without regard to their oath
When such men are appointed and the Pc,
pies party and other parties are not represen
ed by men selected by their respective con
mittees it will be necessary for all men VIII
have manhood enough to protect the
rights to take proper action. But this wi
not be necessary where fair and hone
spirit is shown by the commissioners