The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-06
ARE FINDING TROUBLE
The New Registry Agents All
Studying the Law.
THEY WANT INSTRUCTIONS
Mr.. stapleton WIN Explain the Law to
them To-Day-Term for Registration
Reduced From Twenty to
Six Days.

The registry agents appointed for the
county are finding a good deal of trou-
BILE in familiarizing themselves with
the new registration law. which differs
in several important particulars from
the law i'm force at the general regis
tration two years ago. and a number
of agents called on the county attor-
ney and commissioners yesterday for
Instructions. Mr.. Stapleton stated that
he would be in his office all day to-day
and will give up his time to explaining
the law to agents who need II.
One of the most important changes
in the law is that the time for regis
tration is reduced from 20 to six days.
and does not provide for any additions
during the time the books are open for
corrections just prior to the election.
Formerly a man who was sick or alb
sent from the county during the regu-
lar registration days could make afi-
davit to the fact and have his name
added to the list on the day when the
books are opened for corrections. In
the opinion of those who have exam
ined the new law this cannot be done
now.
Another important change is that
providing for a general registration
Oniy once III elsUt years. 1ndt Is an
elector who registers this fall and con-
tinues to reside in the same district
does not need to register again in eight
years. There will be registration for
each %elector, however. the same as in
the past. to accommodate new corners
and new voters. The section of the law
on this point reads as follows:
1T is the duty of the registry agent
at any time when called on TO do so. at
shAf- rAannasvo ANA.. .- -
where, between the hours of 3 a. ~
and 8 p. M, on all legal days. frcm Q
a. m. OF the third Monday prior to any
general election to 3 p. m. of the fol-
lowing Saturday, to receive and regis
ter the names OF all persons legally
qualified and entitled to vote at such
election. OIL who, (being otherwise
qualifed) will have legally acquired "a
residence at the date of election, and
who have a right to vote at such en-
suing election. according to The pro-
visions of the law under which said
election may be held. in each election
precinct within their respective district.
Provided that except I'm registration dis
tricts included I'm an Incorporated town
or city containing. at the last preced-
ing state election. over 1000 registered
voters. such general registration of all
voters shall only be required every
- 80 $3.50 'h'th NV th' NtdA
1898. and any person who has been reg
istered in any district. except as above
noted. at any time within said eight
year periods. and who has been a con-
tinuous resident of such district since
such registration shall he entitled to
vote. III otherwise qualified. without
further registration. II at any time IL
shall be made to appear. by the afi-
davis of two credible and responsible
electors of the district that any regis
tered person has died or permanently
removed from the district, the registry
agent shall place such afidavits on file
and shall cancel tn" entry with rcd
ink, n shall enter the date and cause
of such cancellation in the column pro-
vided for the purpose. and such can
celled name shall not appear in the
printed list. copies of the official regis
ters and check lists herein provided
for"
Some of the agents who sought for
Information yesterday wanted to know
IL a man was not ineligible for regis
tration VI he could not write his own
name, but they were informed an edu-
cational qualification had not yet been
established i'm this state.
All registry agents were instructed
that they would be required to select
their own offices.
A petition was receiN ed from w. A.
.Ralston and nine other electors of pre-
cinct As. at Ralston and French guIch.
asking that precinct a.. which takes in
McCune's wood camp. % abolished.
They represented that there remained
only six voters in McCune's precinct
and that they could go to Ralston II
vote without N Inconvenience. The
commissioners made the order. and pre-
cinct No. A. is abolished.