Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1901-10-24
The Constitutional Amendments.

Among the varied interests or the
State campaign, the proposed amend
ments to the Constitution must not be
overlooked. These will not be voted
upon in any column of the general bal
lot, but will call for a distinct express
sion of opinion from each voter 1t IS
| important, therefore, to keep them in
mind The adoption of the amendment
concerning registration is almost essen
tial to the making of any changes in the
existing laws. 1t will make possible
the enaction of such laws as the exper-
ience of other States has shown to be
desirable
1t could be shown from the debates in
the Constitutional convention. If not
from the Constitution itself, that the
trainers of the Constitution did not in
tend to exclude personal registration
when they provided that ''all laws re-
gulating the holding of elections by the
citizens or for the registration of cleo
tors shall be uniform throughout the
State" That was the original form OF
the section; but, having already defined
, the qualifications of voters, and wishing
to secure the rights of citizens against
the errors and omissions of incompetent
or dishonest officials. they added the pro-
visio that mo elector shall be deprived
of the privilege of voting by reason OF
his name not being registered. That
is. if his name were fraudulently or
negligently omitted, he still could es-
tablish his right to vote.
The section as it stands, while suffi-
GENTLY well adapted to country districts
excludes any law requiring any more
exact indentifcation of voters in the
large cities. which experience has shown
to be very necessary. The precise form
which a registration law should take is
matter for argument, but such laws
work smoot hlyand satisfactorily in New
York, Massachusetts and other States,
and they should be equally practicable
with us. The change that is proposed
in the Constitution is simply to substl-
tute for the proviso jnst quoted: But
laws regulating and requiring the regis
tration of electors may be enacted to
apply to cities only, provided that such
laws be uniform for cities of the same
class" and to add to the definition OF
the qualifications of electors the words:
Subject, however to such laws re-
quiring and regulating the registration
of electors as the General Assembly
may enact"
The change will not be mandatory,
but only permissive. Any laws requir-
ing personal registra ton must be enact
ed by the Legislature, and all that is
now proposed is to give the Legislature
the necessary power to bring our laws
up to the standard of modern require
ments. The other constitutional
amendment proposed at this time, to
enable the Legislature to adopt other
means of secret voting than the ballot,
is also only permissive. 1t does not re-
qnire the adoption of any mechanical
device for registering votes but under
the existing provision that 'all elections
shall be by ballot, the most perfect ap-
paratus could not be adopted or even
used experimentally, as has been done
in some States with satisfactory results.
1t is nota BILE that at the State conven-
ton of County Commissioners, lately
held at Bellefonte, the prevailing opin-
ion was in favor of this modern improve
ment, and resolution was adopted
urging the ratification of the proposed
amendment.
1t will be a great mistake and misfor-
tune if these amendments. shall not be
ratified They cannot do harm, as they
rsrnove- -ne--afesaard from the fran
chise, and they may prove an important
advantage in making possible the future
adoption Of real safeguards that will
effectively protect the freedom and hon
esty of our elections.