The age-herald., 1901-07-23
HON. RICHARD B. KELLEY
 ON REGISTRATION PLAN

the list of registered voters filed by the board of registrars. The plan as report ed has no such provision. Under it there is no way provided for getting name off the lists after it once gets on; nor is there way to revise a registration list at any time This, 1t seems to me to be absolutely necessary. It is true the plan provides for an appeal in favor of one who Is denied the right to register. There can be no reasonable objection to that provision. But an appeal should also be given to any citizen of the State who de- sires to contest the right of any voter to register. Means should be provided for purglng the lists of the names of dead men, and men removed. and those who become insane, and those convicted of crime, or otherwise disqualified. It seems to me that the necessity of some such provision as this would be so apparent as to render argument unnecessary. would suggest, therefore, the following amendments:
 l. 'Tnsert after the words qualified elec- tors" in line 2, on page 9, the following:
 Tor purging the registration lists of names illegally entered thereon, and of persons illegally registered, and of those who may die, become insane, convicted of crime or otherwise disqualified as an elector under the provisions of this Con- stitution; and for keeping in proper form list of male idiots and insane persons, and all males convicted of crime"
 Insert after the words of the board in 1fna "A nn F11
 Any citizen of the state may at any time have the lists of registered voters purged of any name or names illegally entered thereon or the name of any per- son who at the time of his registration is disqualified under tffe provision of this Constitution, or who afterwards becomes so disqualified; and H
 8. The third amendment Is intended to secure absolute fairness and accuracy in the registration. No citizen, ho honestly favors the purity of the ballot, can ob- ject to this amendment. And no regis trar. who intends honestly and faithfully to perform his duties will object. It does not in any way hamper the regis- trar in the honest discharge of his duty, nor seek to hold him liable in any way for any mistake of judgement on his in the honest discharge of his duty This amendment is as follows:
 Insert between lines 91 and i, on page B, new section to read as follows:
 Any elector who registers for another, or who registers more than once, and any registrar who enters the name of any elector on the list of registered voters without such elector makes application in person and under oath on a form pro- vided for that purpose to be registered as hereinbefore provided, or who knowingly registers any person more than once, or who knowingly enters upon the registra- ton list as a registered voter when no one of that name applied to register, shall be guilty of felony"
 Fourth-The fourth amendment requires that all applications and testimony off, fered before the board for or against the application to be returned by the board of registrars along with the list It will take two amendments to properly provide for this. I have prepared said amend ments as follows: t'As'n q
 1. Insert after the word ''person,"' in line 4. on page 13, the following:
 Together with all applications to regis- ter which were filed before them and all evidence introduced before them for or against each application
 2. Insert between lines 10 and Il, after the word ''originar' and before the word ''list," on page IS, the following:
 Applications for registrations and all papers relating thereto. and the.' sf
 It will be noticed that none of tho amendment which I suggest will in any way embarrass the registrars in the hon. est discharge of their duty. These amend- ments all seem. to me to be necessary in order to perfect the plan of registration proposed by the committee. If the suf- frage is to be regulated so as to secure honest election, and remove any excuse for pretext for fraud, on account of the presence of the large number of ignorant and vicious voters, we cannot be too careful in providing a system of registra- ton. If we would eliminate the class of voters in whose hands the right to vote Is menace to good government and good morals, proper safeguards must be placed around the plan of registration. and stringent penalties provided for the cor rupt registration of any voter. If the convention does that it's work will com mand the respect of patriotic and thought ful men everywhere. If 1t falls to do that. 1t will discredit itself before the people of the State. cannot believe that the in- telligent and patriotic members of the convention will object to any amendment or the plan proposed by the suffrage com mittee that will secure to the people of the State a full and honest registration of the qualified voters of the State.
 None of the amendments herein sug- gested are offered in the interest of any man or set of men, nor in the interest of any section. The only purpose sought to be accomplished is to provide safeguards around the plan of registration, affecting alike all the people of the State. which will result in the registration being had committee. Not being a member of the and there being but q very short time until the convention will begin the consideration of the suffrage plan as proposed by the committee, I am under the necessity of availing myself of this method of presenting these suggestions. If there is any merit in any of them. I feel very sure that they will receive the they deserve. With great respect, I am very truly, 4H ts.
 RICHARD B. KELLY.