The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-28
THE NEW CITY ELECTION LAW.
sIIPLIFIEs THE MACHINERY AND
REDUCES EXPENSES.


anu the strikers and HeeIers ELM
inated-Mnnagers Must BE Free
holders Owning 81 500 of Property
Returned for TnxatiOn-Candi-
dates Must Print Their own Bal
lots.
A bill will be introduced in the legisla.
ture this week by one of the Savannah
representatives. providing a new election
law for the city Of Savannah.
As has already been stated in the Morn
ing News, the bill greatly simplifes the
machinery of the city elections. The ex-
ira registration for the city election is
done away with and the county registra-
ton Is made to do service for the city
as we'll as state and county elections. This
relieves the city of considerable expense,
including the publication of registration
lists, the printing of ballots, the hire of
numerous registration and voting PAGES
and the pay of a number of registrars and
managers of elections.
All that is necessary to be a qualified
voter for the next city election under
the proposed law is being male resident
of the city p years of age, to be regis
tered for the previous county election and
90 have this years taxes paid. Those own
ing city property must pay city taxes mp
to and including the third quarter.
The county tax collector is required to
furnish to the managers of the election
lists Of the registered voters of each dis
trict resident in the city, showing place of
residence and other information required
by the country registration. If the voter
mas paid all taxes up to and including this
years he is eligible to vote. If he has paid
al except this year this Is indicated on the
list and he is eligible to vote upon presen-
tatiOn Of evidence of the payment of this
years taxes, in other words his tax re-
ceipts. If he is in arrears on his city
taxes the fact and amounts are also noted
on he list aud evidence of payment in the
shape of the city treasurers tax receipts
must be submitted in order to entitle the
applicant to vote. For this purpose the
city treasurer is required to furnish the
tax collector with a list of the city tax
deNnquents.
All the voting will be done at the court
house, two places being allowed the First,
Third and Fourth districts, and only
one to the second as the smallest district.
The tax collector is required to furnish
alphabetical lists, equally divided as far
as possible. as to the First, Third and
Fourth districts.
It is claimed for the bill that while il
does away with the unnecessary, cum
bersome and expensive features of the Os-
borne Australian ballot law, it preserves
all the desirable features of that law, and
provides additional features that viii COM
mend themselves at once 10 all we'll
thinking citizens.
The judges of the Superior City and Or
dinary's Courts wil stiI constitute the
board having the appointment of the man
ayers of elections Two managers shall be
appointed to each box, one for each candl-
dale, says the bill, and if there are more
than two candidates the managers shall
be so divided as to give representation to
all. An interesting feature is that defining
the qualifications of those who may
serve as managers. Only freeholders, hav-
ing property assessed for taxation on the
books of the city of not less than $1,000,
are eligible as managers and the proof
of ownership TO property must have ex-
listed at least six months prior to election.
This is done 10 prevent the manufacture
of freeholders for the purpose, as has
been done at previous elections, and to
shut out a disreputable class of managers
who have done much to discredit elections
| in the past.
The city paid forty registrars S. a day
for four days. and forty managers of cleo
ton IS each fer one day, or $l000 for the
registration and election under the pres
ent law. Under the proposed law there
VIII be only eight managers, and they are
allowed The very neat compensation of ST. so
a day each. Each manager is allowed a
clerk or list keeper, who is allowed 50
per day. This means eight managers at
$3.50 per day. $50, and eight clerks, at
So per day, &i, total of $S4 for
the days work. There will be some Incl
dental expenses in the way of stationery,
which the clerk of Council is required to
furnish, and the tax collector is allowed
cents for each name on the lists furnish
ed by him.
The most interesting features of the bill,
perhaps, are those which restrict the
crowds around the ballot boxes and pro-
tect the voter, at the same time prevent
ing to large degree the dealing in pur-
chasabe votes. 1t is claimed as one of
the chief merits of the bill that the striker
and heeler are eliminated. No challengers
are allowed at the boxes and no voter
is allowed in ten feet of the polls except
the one depositing his ballot No persons
are allowed within fifty feet of the
polling place except those in the line of
voters and the bin makes it misdemean-
or for anyone to interfere with any person
in the line of voters or even 10 speak to
MN on the SUBJECT OF the elections. Even
The managers are not allowed to speak to
each other or to other persons upon the
subject of the election, except in the dis
charge of their duties.
The police force is placed under the con
troll of the Mayor during the day for the
purpose of preserving order.
1t is claimed in behalf of the bill that
while il greatly simplifies the city election
! system it throws every safeguard around
| the sanctity of the ballot 1t is pointed out
! that The payment of all taxes is the chief
/ requisite under the present law and The
! same thing Is required under the new law
| except that the voter, provided his name
! is on the regis tration lists, can pay his
| taxes up to and on the very day of election
/ If he so chooses.
OFFICES WILL BE VACANT.
| Council VIII Have 10 Elect when