Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-09-24
. J. q. Akgs VIII
Not AAow Anyone
to K7oqv Who Has
Registered or Look
OVer His Books.

Mr.. j. s. Hall. the precinct chair
man OF the Fifth ward. applied to
Mr.. J. T. Akers, the registrar of
that ward. for permission to look
over his registration list this morn
ing, in order that he might ascer-
tain who had registered. MIR. Akers
refused on the ground that he was
busy and didn't have the time. Mr..
Hall told him that he would look
over them at time when he was
not using them and find out who
had registered Then MIR. Akers
announced that he would not let
either side see the books until the
10th OF October. when he would al
low Fboth sides to see them for the
purpose OF correcting them.
The fact that Mr. Akers refuses
carries with ii in the minds of many
a grave suspicion. We should think
that any man could Ill afford to
take this stand. The books are
public records and should be open
for the inspection of the public.
Unless the books are. open to the
public there is little use OF setting
day for their correction. No one
can ascertain whether they are cor
rect or not until that day, and then
the time will be too short to secure
the proper evidence to make correc-
committee tO\see the books but are
why any official should be unwfl-
ling TO allow any one to see pub
lie records.
The most of the registrars have
shown a Willingness TO allow the
Democratic committeeman to in
spect their books. One or two of
them refuses to let the Democratic
stances as the books can't be seen.
willing to tell whether any individ-
ual which Is inquired about is reg
istered. or course If there were
fictitious Aames there would be no
way of finding this out. in such in
stancs as the books can't be seen.
But five out of eight are willing to
let any one inspect their books.
A few days ago one OF the DEM
ccrat1d committeeman called upon
the registrar of the third ward, Mr..
G. A. Reid, who was very willing
for the committee to look over his
books and said that he considered
the books public property and that
he had no objections. The commit
tee was told by him the next day
that there was some objection to
allowing an inspection of the books,
and upon being asked who made
the objection, replied that it was
by Mr.. Andy Hearn, and that Mr..
Hearn advised him not to allow any
one to see the books.
Mr.. Hearn was approached upon
this matter, and said that he did
not think the registrars ought 10
allow any one to see the books. and
remarked that II he were a regis
trar he would absolutely refuse TO
permit any one so see his books, and
we think he would. He was asked
by what authority he gave this ad-
vice, and replied that IL was his own
opinion. Some of the registrars
were told to go to Mr.. Hearn for in
structions. Mr.. Reid has since re-
cons. dered the matter and refused
TO let the Democrats see his list, be-
cause he says they object" On
being asked who they are, he re-
fused to say Probably Mr.. Hearn
under the instructions Of the coun-
ty Republican committee.
We do not believe that any reg
istrar who has the spirit OF fairness
would refuse to allow any one to
see his books. The registrars have
always permitted this heretofore.
But we are glad that the instruc-
tiOns OF one man win not obtain
with all the registrars, and that
there are registrars who are willing
to show the spirit OF fairness and
permit any one to inspect their
books. All honor TO these.
s