The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-02
NO Relaxation of Registration Requirements.


Wholly irrespective of the effect 1t may have
upon the result of the recent election in Lynch
burg. the question raised by contestants In their
petition to have the result of that election an
nulled seems to us one of such Importance that
IL should not be longer ignored. 1t Is asserted
by contestants, and SO far as we know Is not
denied by contestees or by any one else, that
many persons voted who were not properly
registered and who indeed have not registered
at all within the definition of that election func-
ton as outlined clearly and plainly in the Con-
stitution.
The constitution In defining who shall be en-
titled to register and vote after the first day
Of January, 1894. first defines the poll tax pre-
requisite and then adds the following addf-
tional requirements, which no registrar or
Judge of election Is authorized to waive. relax
ignore;
Second That, unless physically unable. he
make application to register in his own hand
writing. without aid, suggestion or memoran-
dunn in the presence OF the registration officers,
stating therein his name. age, date, and place
of BIRTH residence and occupation at tho time
and for the two years preceding, and whether
he has previously voted, and IL so, the state.
county and precinct In which he voted last:
and
Third. That he answer on oath any and all
questions affecting his qualifications an cleo
tor submitted to him by the officers of regis
traton. which questions and his answers there
to shall be reduced to writing, certified by the
said officers, and preserved as a part Of their
official records"
This language is mandatory. plain and I'M
mistakable. There is no room for doubt as to
Its meaning that 1t 10 absolute REQUIRE
ment in the process OF registering. which Is an
essential preparation precedent TO voting. To
ignore this provision would be to annul q vital
portion OF the organic law of the State. which
no official, not even the General Assembly IT.
self, Is authorized/to do to permit others
to do Inasmuch az the records of the regis
tration OF all persons since January l, 1904,
are required to be preserved. II should be easy
TO establish absolutely whether any specific per-
son or persons have failed to comply with these
requirements. 1t is equally susceptible of proof
that certain persons have or have not complied
with this requirement, and that such have
not done not entitled to vote.
The erect of any relaxation Of the registra-
ton requirements, which drawn for the
avowed purpose OF eliminating from the cleo
torate the ignorant and venal OF all races and
which, as anticipated. has had the effect OF
eliminating the mass of the negroes would in
eVltably be to restore tho negro political
factor in this State. and, worst OF ALL the ig-
norant negro. The intelligent and substantial
negro citizen Is already in many cases voter
on mis- merits having compiled with the regis
tration requirements II the registration OFF,
Gals are permitted to ignore the plain man
date of the organic law and wink at the regis
tration OF negroes whites otherwise than as
registration and should subject the registrars
to penalty.
We must have relaxation of registration
requirements whatever the purpose the cam
palgn in immediate prospect. negro once
registered Tor a local option election Is voter
In every other election. long as he pays his
poll taxes If the plain mandate of the Com
little time before the mass OF the negroes
becomes a political factor and holds the Val
ance Of power between the existing par
ties.-Danvtlle Register.