The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-02
FRAGRANT VIOLATIONS
 OF ELECTION LAWS

 represent the most fragrant violations of our election laws.
 In order to check these challenges prop erly we were compelled dD to familarize ourselves with the election law, and while 1t may appear theoretically perfect, from the practical study of it which we were force dto make, we believe, there is much room for improvement. In our hum- ble opinion no voter should be permitted to cast his ballot whose name does not appear on the qualified list furnished by the judge of probate to the judges of elec- tion unless he shows his registration cer- ti1cate and poll tax receipt (unless ex- empt therefrom) to the judges of election at the time of voting.
 Most certainly we do not think that there should be more than one voting or rolling place in precinct, and that the county should be so sub-divided into pre- cincts that it would not be necessary to poll more than 400 ballots at any one poll ing place.
 We believe that by this system no voter could cast his ballot without having paid all of his poll taxes, if due, and would cer- tainly aid in the prevention of repeating or any other form of illegal voting.
 There appearing to be an uncertainty or lack of knowledge on the part of many voters as to the steps necessary for quali- ficaticn as a voter in this county, we
 
 the fact that they should be registered in the county in which they offer to vote.
 If holding a certificate in another coun- ty, that certificate should be recorded or registered in this county in order to legal ize his vote.
 Also that all poll taxes must be paid from and including 1901, except for such years as the voter was citizen of an- other state or was not of legal age or was legally exempt from such payment. In all cases of such exemption or other legal excuse, it is necessary that affidavit be made before the probate judge of Jeff ferson county of the fact, in order that tj1e voters name may be properly entered upon the qualified polling list.
 We believe further that each voter should consider 1t part of his duty to notify the judge of probate of any re- nioval to beat or precinct other than that in which he Is registered so that his name may be transferred to the proper list We feel 1t our duty furthermore to criticise the present method of registra- stion.
 We find that the poll lists of Jefferson county have not been properly purged for years and that names of men who have died or removed from the state years ago are still regularly carried on such fists. It appears to us that the compensa- ffon made the board of registrars is not sufficient to justify competent men giving sufficient time and attention to this work. LARGE NUMBER OF
 VOTERS DISQUALIFIED
 we furthermore submit the fact that there are 24.5O2 registered names in this county, of which 15,O09 are qualified voters and S493 are disqualified voters. We think e;,lg condition appalling. We furthermore hybmit the fact that during our irvestiga- fion 143 voters have paid back poll taxes to the amount of SAP; and this is one sum fhat passes directly to the credit of the nehool fund without any fees or other de- lluctions therefrom
 while we have had no direct evidence Of barter and sale of votes in this county ln the past, election, still there are several 1T6ications of lightly esteemed fran rffra end of too ready willingness or S6a part of some to vote on the urgency of Friends. even when they were them 0Sives doubtful of this right. and of q 0crnirjous activity on the part of over 86aYous workers of whatever faction. tc e1ree upon doubtful ones that they vote si3fh01,f taking the care or trouble to find &Sfher or not they had that right
 &xa we understand that no other grand 1tsfw has investigated the persistent ru. 2S,$S of illegal voting M past elections 3E{G r.rand jury has been disposed to be vSiv lenient indeed in disposing of these oSee1 though perhaps several hundred TlSxe technically guilty.
 41AN Who have come before us have beei v.,drned to legalize their votes before agai1 s.x6rclsing the franchise, and these voters v1rI3 hdve no excuse in the future to offe'