The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-06
SUPT. GEO. v. MOUGAN'SREPORT
CAUSE or TINE REDU CED TOTAL
VOTE IN THIS CITY.
lie says II Il Due to Decrease In Floating
and Lodging House Vote Complete
Gard index OF N0t ers In This City

lie says II Is Due to Decrease In Floating
and Lodging House Vote Complete
Gard index Of Voters In This City
Amendment 10 the Election Law.
ALBANY. Jan. 5.-Despite the fact that
the population on Manhattan Island has
been increasing yearly, George W. Morgan,
Superintendent OF Elections for the metro
polHan district, in his report Of the opera
tions Of his department during the last year,
and especially for some weeks previous to
last falls election, says that the number Of
votes cast in Manhattan aud Bronx boroughs
was 5000 less than might have been ex-
| pected, as compared with the increased
registration and vote in those boroughs
during the two previous presidential cleo
| tions. This reduction, Mr.. Morgan says,
/ was brought about chiefly by large decreases
| III the registration of the downtown dis
tricts Of Manhattan, which contain a large
Heating and lodging house population and
/ on which most OF the work Of his office was
concentrated on the days Of registration
and on election day.
The report deyotes much space to natur-
alization frauds and declares that this State,
10y proper legislation. should aid in their
prevention. 1t is pointed out that during
the four months the investigation was in
progress 400 holders of naturalization
certificates were examined special atten-
ton being paid to the Italian vote. The
result OF this investigation was 2S2 arrests
and the cancellation Of papers in 407 other
cases. In all $3.50 certificates out or 1900
were found to he fraudulent. Dunng TINS
year there were jo2 indictments for crimes
against the Naturalization laws in the
United States Circuit Court for the South
ern District of New York. or these 23s
pleaded guilty and sentence was suspended
on the surrender OF their certificate, 81
were deported, SO imprisoned. II are in
dicted and awaiting trial. seven were con-
vioted and are awaiting sentence and SIX
were acquitted.
Concerning Gov. Odells efforts TO get a
complete card index Of New York city. Mr.
Morgan sud: The most valuable asset
which this Office has gained as the fruit OF
the work OF the past year Is complete
card catalogue. arranged alphabetically
by assembly and election districts of the
6ss, 5o4 voters Of the city Of New York who
registered for the general election OF 1904.
The preparation Of this catalogue was
begun on the night Of the first day OF
registration. One card was devoted to each
voter his name, age, residence, district /
and other facts noted by the board OF
registry being written thereon. To this f.
record were then added all the facts which !
had been CLEANED by this Office in its in
vestigation of the right Of the person con-
cerned TO vote. Whenever any fact concern /,
ing any voter shall be learned during the |
coming year IL will lie entered upon the /
appropriate card. When the registration {
books are opened next fall therefore, 1
this Office will have its entire stock Of in !
formation regarding these hundreds of (
thousands OF voters arranged in the most |
compact form for instant reference
MIR Morgan recommends legislation which |
will give him fifty special deputies who |
will have power TO administer oaths and /
conduct examinations the same as the Super
intendent, This IL Chairman Odel's idea.
Mr.. Morgan also asks for n registrar OF
records and two deputy clerks
An amendment to the Election law is
suggested which will require a person who
registers TO state the year in which he last
registered or voted Mr.. Morgan also
recommends that the last day of registry
be further removed from election day 20
as TO permit ample time TO scan the registry
list and for subsequent court proceedings.
lie also recommends that the thirty day
residential period now required for qualii-
cation OF electors in election districts be
extended though such a change would
require a constitutional amendment
The most important recommendation is
that the Election law be amended 50 az 10
provide for the personal signature of each
applicant for registration in the registry
book and his personal signature to the poll
book on election day. In case Of the in
ability of the applicant to sign his name,
he recommends that he be required 10 make
an oath to that effect and make his mark
Such a requirement he says, would
prove q very effective check TO the activity
Of the professional impersonator on election
day. Supplementing such an amendment
the metropolitan election law should pro-
vide for the personal signature upon the
hotel and lodging house reports Of every
person claiming a voting residence upon
such premises. which report should then
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