From The United States Gazette.
{"newspaper_name": "Delaware journal.", "edition": "01", "page": "p3", "byline": ""}
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To the County Comm issioners and Inspectors OF the


General Election.


1t has been asserted that within short time, i'm
mediatey prior to the late Ward Election, num-
Der of individuals we're assessed by the Commas
sioners of this County and by means of this assess
ment were admitted to vote. The American Senti-
mel of Tuesday admits the fact and nsties the prac-
tice as perfectly legal. 1t is presumed that the per-
sons so assessed will attempt TO vote at the coming ell
ection, and will offer in support of their claim the
receipts for taxesgiven by the Commissioners Such
assessments wholly Illegal, ard such receipts
give no right whatever to vote. The point has been
solemnly decided by the Supreme Court, and it may
not be amss to call the attention ofthe inspectors to
the danger which will occur to them itthey attempt
to disturb principle in our eactionlaw which has
been SO long settled. In the vt Catlin V. Smith,
lie Sergeant and kawle, 167) the Court unanimous
ly decided that assessment and payment of taxes.
within six months ofthe election did not give rig
TO vote on the goth Oct. 1912. Catln. the plain
jtf had caused himself to be assessed for county
tax which had been laid by the county, hut not as
lsessed upon him six months before the election. On
the 3Oth of the same month he offered to vote. The
vote was refused by the Inspector, and on this ac-
count the action was brought. The Chief Justice
in giving his opinion used the following decided Ian
euage after stating the numerous evils to result from



revived.


s.These were the evils to be prevented, and they
will be prevented, if no person is allowed TO vote
unless the tax was assessed apon him six months be-
fore the election. Our system of taxation has been
altered in some respects since the adoption OF the
Constitution but the alteration is by no means OPP
posed to nv construction. The commissioners are
to canse transcripts of the to be trans
mtled to the assessors collectors before the
I'd Monday in April each year, SO that the assess
ment being thts closed, it has not been shown by
what authority an assessor has afterwards exercised
the right of assessing individuals who have applied
to him near the time of election. My opinion, how
ever. is not founded the irregularty of the pro
ceeding," Gas TO the power OF the assessor) II
would have made no difference if the plaintiff ha,
been assessed by the JOINT authority OF the assessors
and commissioners. The assessment not having
been laid on him sr months before The election, an
of opinion he had not the right Of Suffrage.
The two other Judges fully concnrred with the
Chief Justice and such therefore Is the law OF Penn
|syIvania.


(t5- From the above case. (onr laws on the sub
iect being sma) worthy and Judges vii
discover now late that they have been the nea"
subec,ng number of persons to the ,isque OF heav
fnes-and perhaps they themselves may suffer some pecu
mary Inconvenience too. We yet in land OF laws
Il JOURNAL.