Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-23

few people that munlclpal election |
cannot be legally held. 1t has been |
learned from good authority on such |
matters that the city election law is
intact, Notwithstanding the changes |
recently made in election and regis
tration regulations, and the failure OF
the Legislature to pass q bill which |
was calculated to remove all doubt |
about some points will not operate in
the slightest degree so far as prevent
ing the holding of an election is con-
cerned.
Ex-Secretary of State j. Harvey
Whitemar, who prepared the bill re-
ferred to above, says it was drawn
simply as precautionary measure,
the object being to make the city and
general election laws conform. Under
the old law the sheriff was the custo-
dian of the books of registration, while
under the new law the clerk Of the
peace has the books The chief object
Of Mr.. Whiteman's bill was to make
specific provision for transferring the
books from the clerk of the peace to
the Department of Elections, the city
law requiring the use of the books
which were used at the preceding
State election, with such revision as
may be necessary. 1t is held, how
ever, that while there is no specific
provision for the transfer of the books
from the clerk of the peace to the De-
pertinent of Elections, there is pro-
vision by implication, and it is be-
lieved that if the question should ever
be raised the courts would SO decide.
Mr.. Whiteman's bill provided for
few minor changes in the Law, such as
changing the name by which the Off
uhA hold tha fcfr rot NV
known from inspectors to registrars, as
they are known in the general law.
On April 9Th. 1893, the General
Assembly passed law governing
municipal elections in Wilmington,
and as no subsequent legislation has
repealed it the election this year will
be under its provisions, the important
features being as follows:
From and after the passage of this
act, at all elections held in the city of
Wilmington, excepting for members of
the Board of Public Education in
Wilmington, the registration, election
and canvass of the vote cast thereat
shall in all respects be conducted in
conformity with the provisions of the
election and registration laws govern
ing general elections in the city Of
Wilmington, except as in this act
otherwise provided.
All duties imposed upon and all
powers vested in the Department of
! Elections created by an act entitled
"An act to amend an act entitled An
act to revise and consolidate the
mington, chapter 1874, Vol. XVIII,
Laws of Delaware, are hereby imposed
upon and vested in the Department of
Elections created by an act entitled
San act to provide for the registration
of voters in the city of Wilmington, -
chapter 80, Vol. XIX, Laws of Della
ware.
At all municipal elections, the
election districts shall be the same as
those designated by the Department
of Elections for the general election
next preceding.
On the second Saturday next pre-.
ceding the day of any municipal
election there shall be a revision Of
the general registration, which revision
shall be made in accordance with the
provisions of the aforesaid act entitled
"An act tc provide for the registration
of voters in the city of Wilmington. ,
To facilitate the transfer of names
from one book to another in case o
removals of all kinds, at least ont
member of the Department of Elections
shall SIT at the office of the Department
of Elections every day excepting Sun
day. of the two weeks preceding tn
last week in the month Of April uex
preceding said municipal election, be
tween the hours of 3 and . o'clock il
the afternoon, and during the las
week of the said month between tn
hours of and o'clock in the after
noon and and s o'clock in the even
ing, and do and perform the followin
acts, to wit: The member or member
of the Department of Elections, sittin
as aforesaid, may, in any case in whic
it is deemed necessary, administer I
an applicant who personally present
himself the oath prescribed by seetio
of chapter 80, Vol. XIX, Laws |
Delaware, and if, in the Judgment
said member or members OF the DE-
partment of Elections as aforesaid til
statements and representations mac
by the applicant are deemed to be trr
and correct, and if it appear from I'll
registration books that the applicai
was duly registered and had voted
the general election next precedin;
he or they shall, with the aid an
assistance Of the clerk Of the Depar
ment of Elections, if his assistance
in said registration books and publ
copies as are required to be done
the inspectors of election in SUE
cases, and act and conform in all r
spects by and in accordance with Il
provisions of section of the aforesa
act relative thereto; provided, hoy
ever, that the lines to be draw
through the names duly stricken fro
the registration books and pub!
copies and all entries made by sa
Department of Elections, or memb
sitting as aforesaid, in said books
any kind or nature shall be done
red ink. And said entries of remoy
in said books, when so made, shall
of the same legal force and effect
though made by the inspectors of elt
tion on the day set apart in this {
for the revision of the registration.
All acts required to be performed /
or duties imposed upon, the clerk
the peace or any other county offiC
by the election, registration or bal
laws governing the general elections
the city of Wilmington, shall, in
lation to municipal elections, devo
upon and be performed by the Depa
ment of Elections.
The Department Of Elections sh
have power to dismiss any elect
officer, clerk or assistant at any tin
and supply his place with anotl
person.
The Department Of Elections sh
cause to be printed the ballots used
municipal elections, in the same m;
ner and under the same laws as far
alof Us To-