Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-10-30
a FAIR wARNlNGt


From the reports Of the registration
of voters on Tuesday, Il IL argued that
there Is very large number OF new
corners in this city. This conclusion Is
doubtless TO a great extent correct But
there are some features Of the Increase
that should be looked at closely, For
one thing the registration included adj
ditional names caused by the shifting
OF many residents from one srecnct TO
another. This should be offset by the
crossing out OF the names of such per-
sons from the registry lists OF the dis
tricts from which they removed
There are, no doubt, many newcom-
crs In the city. some OF whom were law
fully registered. And there are others
who We're never registered before, who
had legal right to take the registra-
tion oath. But It is certain from reli-
able testimony, that in several districts
persons took the oath and had their
names placed upon the lists, whom no.
body present az the time OF registration
over saw before This Is very sugges-
tive. though It may not be conclusive
of Illegal registration.
II may be that some Of those new
Corners were not familiar with the
election laws OF this city and state
IL is not sufficient that an applicant for
registration shall be citizen OF the
United States at the time OF registrar
ton. lie or she must have been citi-
zen for ninety days previous TO the cleo
ton, and be twenty-one years Of age
Further, bona Hide residence il re-
quired by law, Of one year In the state,
four months in the county, and sixty
days In the precinct prior to the cleo
ton.
A naturallzed citizen applying for
registration must, when required pro-
duce his papers in proof of his status,
or II they are mislaid or lost, must
make affidavit to that effect and ans
wer questions from the registrar as to
particulars, and false replies render
him liable to prosecution for perjury.
The laws are very stringent on these
points, being framed for the purpose
OF maintaining the purity OF elections.
Now, II any individual, either through
ignorance or by design, has been un-
lawfully registered. we earnestly adj
wise such persons not to attempt to
vote on Tuesday. And IL anyone has
advised or procured such unlawful reg
istration We suggest that II would be
well for him or them. not 20 push the
work further and induce the Illegally
registered person or persons to vote ON
election day. II may prove dangerous
for all the parties so concerned.
Every decent citizen should take a
stand for a fair election and an honest
count, and be willing to aid IN seour
ing both. We make no charges against
any individual or party. We are told
of many cases OF improper registration
and intended Illegal voting. We hope
they are not correct But we warn all
persons who may have attempted or
intend to attempt anything OF that
kind, that the great masses OF the citl.
zens OF Salt Lake are opposed to such
methods and that II any Of the elec-
tion or other officers are unwilling Ia
enforce the regulations duly enacted
for the preservation OF the rights OF
candidates and Of the municipality
means will be adopted for the punish
ment of the guilty official and other
wise, This Is no idle talk or passing
opinion, 1t is fair and serious warn
lngl