The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1909-10-13

created by certain publications with
reference to Georgia's new registra-
ton law, under which voters must
register for the elections of 1910,
Attorney General John c. Hart has
prepared in phamphlet form letter
which he has just written to Tax Col
lector A P Stewart of Fulton county,
answering certain questions and clue
dating certain features of the law as
to which these publications have, no
doubt, caused considerable misunder-
standing
Copies Of this letter will be fur
nished to all tax collectors of the
state desiring it, and from it they
may gather some important infor-
nation relative to their duties in con-
rection with registration.
The information will also be of
value to the citizen who desires to
register and qualify himself for vot-
ing; for unless he is familiar with
the requirements of the law he is liza
bic to overlook some one of the kinks
IN it which would result in his dis
reimbursement
Must BE There Himself.
The registration books are to be
closed six months before the election,
and the state primary cannot be held
earlier than sixty days prior to the
regular state election.
The citizen who desires to qualify
himself for voting must present HIM
self in person before the tax collector
slnd subscribe to the voters oath and
sign his name in the voters book.
II will be apparent how these re-
gnirements are likely to result in the
disfranchisement of many white vot-
ers in Georgia, through carelessness, |
oversight or, now and then, as a re-
nit of prOvidential causes.
I When a citizen goes to the tax col
lector's office to pay his taxes he |
must register then and there and it !
s up to him 10 think about it and to
10 it, if he wishes to protect his
rlght.
This is equally applicable to the |
man who pays only poll tax and |
Who has been in the habit of paying |
It. often, when his attention is at
tracted to the matter as the result
Of an approaching election in order
that he might preserve the right of
franchise. Now he must go and pay
il six months in advance of the cleo
ton, or lose his right to vote
The Old and Young.
Provision is made for the registra-
ion of those. among others, who are
exempt from taxation by reason of
having reached the age limit, but
they, too, must present themselves
Tor compliance with the law six
months in advance.
No provision whatever appears to
nave been made for the exercise of
franchise by the young man who at
tains his majority between the time
Of the closing of the registration
books and the election, and it would
appear that. until the law is amend
ed, he is out of it altogether.
The News has. secured a copy of
Attorney General Harris letter and
Tor the information and benefit of the
voters of Terrell county it is printed
IN full. as follows:
Judge Harris Letter.
Replying to your letter relative
80 the duties of the tax collector in
connection with the act approved
August IS, 1908, providing for the
registration of voters in the state,
beg to answer your questions as fol-
lows:
4. Q. When should the registra-
ton books be opened and closed?
"A. The voters books should be
opened by the tax collector at the
time when he begins the collection
of taxes for each year, and he shall
close them in the year in which there
IS a general election six months be,
fore the date of said general cleo
sion
% O. Who is entitled to regis
Ter?
Those Who May Register.
"A. All persons who have honOra
oily served in the land and nava
forces of the United States in the
moe 20 &c