The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-14
IT IS INTERESTING THEM.
Judge SpeeT'S Decision and Its Appli-
cation to Congressional Elections.

The Committee Tryin to Agree on
Some Uniform Plan of Procedure for
the Elections Throughout the State.
The Decision Is Cutting Big Figure
in the Calculations A Democrat
Thinks the Situation Liable to Lead
to Election Contests in the National
House of Representatives This Dis
triot. However, Not Worried, as the
Registration Laws Have Not Been
Held Applicable to Congressional
Elections.
Judge Speer's decision on the Richmond
county registration law in connection
with federal or congressional elections
is giving the Democratic party no little
trouble in determining upon some plan of
uniform operation for the congressional
election, which takes place Nov. 6.
IF it is decided to disregard all county
registration laws in the coming congress
sional election" said a prominent demo-
crat yesterday, a contest is to be feared
equally as much as if all the county laws
on the subject were held of force. This
would be the case, especially if the re-
publicans gained control of the next
house, as they would be almost certain to
decide with the members of their own
party whether right or wrong"
This is the way the situation is viewed
by great many who have given II some
attention Judge Speer's decision is be-
ing taken into earnest consideration by
The representatives of the party who are
now in session in Atlanta for the pur-
pose of determining what course to pur-
sue in the coming elections. The purport
of that decision was that before the pas
sage of the registration law of Richmond
county there was a general law on the
subject covering all the counties in the
state. On this ground Judge Speer held
that the local law of Richmond county
was unconstitutional as the constitution
of 1877 provides that whenever a subject
is covered by general law no special
law on the subject can be passed apply
ing to any particular section.
This decision would affect the reRistrs
ton requirements in a great many
counties of the state which have special
laws on the subject, in so far as these
special and local laws apply to con-
gressional or federal elections OF course
II can have no effect upon the registration
for state elections. But the question is
whether the election could be inValidated
IN case any of these special laws were ad-
hered to in the coming congressional
elections
1t is required that the election shall he
held IN manner which shall be uniform,
throughout the state or district, and this
is what the Democratic party wants tn
arrange now to do. It has been held that
Judge Speer's decision will not hold an
phcable to the case now, as the federal
election laws, upon which a portion Of his
opinion and decision are based. have heep
repealed. How far this repeal affects
the case, however, remains to be
seen. 1t is question that Go
very much involved, and one which is
giving the candidates and politicians M
little trouble.
Ihefe Is now meeting being held in
Auanta or two representatives from each
OF the congressional districts and four
rom the state at large, which is also be-
ing participated in by several prominent
members of the party, to see If Some mi
Aofm arrangement for the congressional
e!ecuons IN all the districts cannot be pro
Ylded. Messrs. f.. G. duBignon and Ton,
OlVer or Screven are representing the
IsI uistrlct. Capt W. w. Starr was
one or the delegates selected bv the e,
ecutive committee of this district bn+ he
mas been unable to go on account Of
sIckhess- Col Rufus Z. Lester is also
In Atlanta watching the situation as he
win the other candidates for congress- 10
very much Interested in the action to he
taken. The meeting is working quietly
ana 1t Is said has refused to give out So
Har' what has been done. What Is
wanted is uniform manner, as well as
a legal one for holding the election in
al parts OF the state and that is the end
the politicians are working to.
80 far as this district is concerned A. e.
DeheYed there will be no difficulty. Chat
nam county has no registration law an
plcaole to federal or congressional cleo
tlons' and such is the case with most
Oh the other counties, if not all. in the
district. The state registration laws in
the counties in this section are NOT boIa
applicable TO the congressional or ma
tonal elections, and the method of proce-
oure has never been questioned. The
outcome of the meeting of this commit
Tee VIII be awaited with interest.