1879-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 we could have conscientiously subscribed to the re- turns. We were considered by some, in our refusals, as exercising a dictatorial spirit, and that our interpre- tation of the law was unnecessary, for the town was to be reimbursed by the State for all amounts expended. Probably no act of a Legislature, designed for a char- itable or benevolent purpose, has been so perverted as this one has been during its short existence. It was intended to meet only about one hundred and seventy cases, where soldiers and seamen were inmates of alms- houses in the State ; yet four thousand have been paid sums varying from a few dollars up to more than twelve hundred, The construction we placed upon the intention of the act, has been sustained by the State Authorities. The act is now repealed. In the payment of State Aid,. the custom has been in past years, for the town in April to make an appropriation, sufficient to meet the amount required during the year; in the following Jan- uary, the Selectmen return to the State Board of Charities the amount paid the past year;. near the lat- ter part of the year, there is received from the State such an amount as they choose to return. The returns are obliged to be made with much care and explicitness,. and also their correctness certified to, under oath. By an examination for several years past, it was ascertain- ed, that the whole amount paid out, was not always returned. The amount received back in 1878 for that which was paid the previous year was fifty-four dollars Less. Upon enquiry as to the reason,why the full amount paid out was not returned, we were informed that fifty - 10 four dollars was paid where not entitled. As it is diffi- cult to know, when those receiving aid, are deprived of it by the provisions of law, the town is constantly liable to pay out more than will be received back. REGISTRATION OF VOTERS. At the last State Election a misapprehension in rela- tion to the requirements of voters, prevented several persons from exercising that privilege. We uninten- tionally omitted to allude in the report of t878, to the law of 1877 in regard to the Registration of Voters. There seems to be a misconception of what the law requires of voters, and its importance as a preventive against fraudulent voting, also its furnishing an invalu- able record, for future reference as evidence of citizen- ship. The law makes it compulsory on the part of the Selectmen, to put several questions to the applicant and require him to read and write in their presence; when not understood, this has the appearance of being arbitrary, but there is no reservation or discretionary power given to the Selectmen. The law requires every name, before being placed upon the voting list, to be registered in a book designed and kept especially for that purpose, containing the name of the voter, his occupation, name and number of the street on which he resides; whenever any name is stricken from the voting list, the reason, whether for non-payment of taxes, removal from town, death, or whatever cause, must be recorded against the name in the Registry. If any name stricken from the list, should be desired