Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-13
Mr.. Holland Admits That Names
Should be Stricken Off.
he Gan Point Them out-Mr. Cannon Also
believes the Lists Detective Mr.. walk
er Says His Books AreNot Open to Pub
lilo Inspection.

the Virginian-Pilot yesterday called on
eight of the eleven Registrars
The reporter submitted to each Regis
trar the following statement, with the
request to append his signature If he
concurred with it:
lnasmuch as a large number of the
voters of the city of Norfolk seem to
think that the registration books of
TINS city contain many names of
persons who have died, or left the city,
and that the said books need purginE.
we, the Registrars, desire to express
ourselves as perfectly willing and de-
sirous OF assisting the citizens of Nor
1oik In every legal way to erase any
names which. for any cause, are retain
ed improperly on the Registration
books.
The law on the subject, section 81 of
the Code of Virginia. provides that the
Registration books shall at all times be
open to public inspection of citizens.
ihis Will afford opportunity for any
i've go qualified voters to secure the
names of voters of their precinct and
canvass them. and post the names of
those to be erased, in three or more
public places in their precinct, fifteen
days previous to regular day of regis
tration, in conformity with section Sc
of the Code of Virginia.
MR. WALKER INTERVIEWED
Mr.. George ]. Walker Registrar for
the First precinct of the Second Ward,
was the first one seen. After reading
the statement above prepared for the
signatures of the Registrars he refused
to sign it. He said, however. that he
would comply with the law regarding
registration.
In regard to inspection Of the books
In his possession as Registrar, Mr..
r. he lo,x
he construed 1t. He stated that HIS
BOOKS WE'RE NOT OPEN TO GEN
ERAL PUBLIC INSPECTION That
II they were he might be kept busy
showing them tospersons. AS to the
securing of names on his books by
he supposed these parties would have
to come with an order from some court
or the official heads of some political
party.
MR.. HARRISON VISITED.
The Virginian-Pilot reporter next
called on Mr.. William II. Harrison,
registrar of the First PrecInt OF the
Third Ward. at the Office of the City
Treasurer. Mr.. Harrison said he did
not wish to be the first to sign the doc
ument, but signified his Willingness to
do so If other registrars signatures
were first obtained.
HIGH CONSTABLE PETTTS.
The reporter next sought the office
of High Constable Pettis and presented
the copy that had been prepared for
submission to the registrars. Mr. Pettis
is registrar for the Second Precinct of
the First Ward.
He read 1t carefully and stated that
hehadno objection whatever to signing
|. IL 1t correctly expressed the law as
1t now stands. He stated that since the
last publication Of the Virginia Code
some amendments had been made
to the registration laws, and he desired
to read over the newer law on the sub
ject.
HIS BOOK ALWAYS OPEN.
Asked as to his position as to inspec-
ton OF the books of any registrar, he
said his books were always open for the
inspection of any citizen, had always
been, and his construction of the law
Is that any citizen has the right to In
spect the books Of registrar on de-
mand.
METHOD OF REGISTRATION.
AS to registration, Mr.. Pettis stated
that he has been active of late in going
from house to house in his precinct and
registering Democratic voters. He had
not sought out Republican voters, but
he had registered such Republican vo-
ters as, applied to him for registration.
In the case of colored voters he said
that he had frequently declined to reg
lister them until he had satisfied him
self as to the legal requirements.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE NOT
NECESSARY.
Mr.. Pettis stated that in his opinion.
he has right to register the names of
persons presented to him on slips con-
tanning the signed oath required to be
administered, IL the names to the re-
QUircd questions are furnished him with
the slips.
These slips. he states, he accepts
when presented by persons whom he
believes to be reliable, except that. he
states. he does not receive such slips
from candidates.
This means that the voter need not
personally appear before him, but said
voter or voters may send in their sign
ed oaths and the required data by some
person who vouches for them, who is
not a candidate, and who Is acceptable
to him.
MIR. w. D. WALTERS.
Mr.. w. D. Walters, registrar of the
First Precinct OF the Fifth Ward, said
when the article was shown him. ''That
that there had been a law requiring the
Clerk of the Courts to furnish TO the
registrars of the city at each registra-
ton list of all persons in their
district who had died, been convicted
of bribery in any election, embezzle-
ment of public funds, treason, felony or
petit larceny since the last registration.
that he had been a registrar for four
years. and the Clerk of the Courts had
never furnished him such 81 list.
He stated that he understood the law
had been repealed two years ago.
Mr.. Walters declined to sign the ar
ticle.. but said of course the registrars
could be compelled to purge names i'm
properly on the registration book by
certain methods prescribed by law.
MIR. THOS. THOMPSON.
next called at the office
of the City Sergeant and interviewed
Mr.. Thos. Thompson, registrar of the