Gloucester County Democrat., 1897-09-16

this important subject
The above article from the DEMOCRAT
OF August 26 last, has been the source of
considerable discussion, both by our read
ers, in our own columns, by the editor OF
the Constitution, and this week Mr.. Geo. E.
Pierson, chairman of the County Board OF
Election, discusses the subject of our elec-
tiOns in his usually polite, though not can
did way.
We desire to say now, that after a care
full and Thoughtful reading, and after reading
in spirit of absolute fairness all that has
been written, we would not now change or
modify a word or line of the above quoted
article.
1t was conceived and written in the
kindliest spirit to every election officer of
the past and the present, and every and all
members of the County Board of Elections
We had in view, and desired, the public
expression that has been brought out, be-
cause we believe the practice of permitting
persons whose home is in another State to
vote here on less than continuous years
residence is coTrnpting our elections and
destructive of fair expression, but we fully
expected both the Consultation and Mr.
Pierson to treat the subject in the candid,
dignifed way it deserves.
1t is certainly in bad taste for Mr.. Pier
son himself to assert that he has "punctured
the DEMOCRATS tire and after chuckling
over his own smartness, challenge US to pub
lish his article, slang phrases, self-laudation
and all, in our own columns. Right here
we feel we should make some apology for
Mr.. PIerson. He is sick, and it was unkind
in the editor of the Constitution to drag him
from sick bed to pull him out of the
mire, but that is not our funeral, it is SIM
ply their misfortune.
To the corrupt, nothing is pure; to the
evil-minded, all is evil. Holy Writ has
been separated and disjointed by scoffers
ever since it was published to men, and
those who desire can separate and disjoint
what we said on August 26. and turn it to
their own glorifcation if they enjoy that
and for these reasons -
Ever since the County Board of Elections
was created, election officers have com
planned to us of the very condition which
L. N. referred to in his letter of last week,
to wit:-That applicants for registry who
had been refused on the grounds of resid-
ence, appeared on election day armed with
certificates from the County Board of
Registration, and for this reason opposition
to registration of that class has been with
drawn, and officers rarely enter determined
opposition because of the decision of the
higher County Board.
Mr., Pierson kindly explains the process
of reasoning on which he has based his
action in registering voters, and which has
possibly been the basis of action by mai
ority of that Board. He says:
TN the case of Cadwalader vs Howell,
3 Harrison 138, this language was used /:
The residence required to entitle person
| anent home, and is not changed OF altered
by his occasional absence with or without
his family
Taking that decision just as it reads, has
person who comes from another State and
is employed in this county for period of
eight months acquired fixed domicile?n
is he permanent resident" within the
letter and spirit of the Constitution, which
requires a residence of one year in the
State and five months in the county? Eas
the man who goes home" to another State
on the afternoon of election day, after he
has UOted, "a fixed domicile" in Gloucester
| county, and has he permanent resid-
ence" in New jersey? 1t is Mr.. Persons
contention that he has, and it is because
majority of the County Board OF Elections
has SO ruled that, as L. N, says "few town.
ship boards care to assume the risk OF
incurring the penalty of heavy fine and
imprisonment for refusing registration to
persons legally entitled to be registered"
Mr.. Pierson cites the number of names
added by his Board each year as proof that
they have had mo considerable effect on
the votes polled in the county" In them
selves they have not, but as we stated
above, and as L N. states, they have been
precedents which have controlled the action
of the townshi Boards; hence the error of
the Boards action is more far reaching than
he processes to realize
Aside from his far-fetched discussion of
the real snhject, Mr. Person did considera-
bic graiuitOus talking in his article yester-
day. Why did he confue his sympa-
thy to L. n. ? who never asked for it
his orany other mans. Why didn't he be-
stow word Of regret on the old election
officers who Chairman Andrews did not re-
appoint and cry a little over their
non .reappointment?
Another word with Mr.. Pierson before
we close this hastily prepared reply. He
was well when another question, one
which reaches to the very core of healthy
municipal life, was before the people and
on which they wanted light; why didn't
he come to the aid of his friend, the editor
of the Constitution, when it became appa-
rent that he was too weak to handle it as
it deserved to be handled
We teel justified in asking the above
question since Mr.. Pierson has so yaliantly
flung himself on the altar of the public
service. We want honest government
just as seriously as we want honest cleo
tions, and Mr.. Pierson should enlist for
the war, not for one battle.
The absurdity Of the Dingley estimates
of revenue from the new tariff is shown by
the fact that he put the receipts from the
personal baggage duty on all in excess Of
$lOo at SlO,O00OOo. 1t is clear already
that the tax will not yield $4,000.
Have you tried Wenonahp Baking
/ T3<..,11 Tf .,<,t 100