Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-02-07
From Washington.

presenting about % aUsJition memorials they
all met the usual fate being laid either upon
or under the table. II is stated in the Boston
Ccntine that, during the debate of Monday,
Mr.. A. declared that he was opposed TO the
prayer Of these petitions, Notwithstanding his
perseverance in presenting them. From the
proceedings of the House on Wednesday,
(25th) we extract the following;
Tho Hon. Mr.. Herod, [Whig,j member of
Indiana, in the place of Fl on. Mr. Kinnard, de-
ceased, appeared, was qualified, and took bis
seat.
FREEDOM OF ELECTIONS.
The State OF Tennessee having been called
for resolutions,
Mr. Bell rose TO submit the motion, Of which
he had heretofore given repeated notices, for
leave to bring in bill TO secure the freedom
Of Elections.
Mr.. Vanderpool cnquired if motion for
leave was debateubc.
The Speaker said, he thought it was. A
member had right 10 state the object and
character of the bill
Mr.. Bell said, he would move, If in order,
that the bill be read for information so that
the members of the House might the better
understand The remarks he was about to make.
The House agreed TO the motion and the
bill was read. is as follows:
A Bill to secure the freedom Of elections.
Whereas complaints are made that officers
OF tho United States, or persons holding Off
ces and empoyments under the authority of
the same other than the Heads OF the chef Ex-
ecutiye Departments or such officers as stand
in the relation of constitutional advisers of the
President, have been removed from Office or
dismissed from their en- ploymeni upon polit.
~al Crnunds nr fnr conianis sakp.
And whereas such practice is manifestly
violation Of the freedom Of elections, an at
tack upon the public liberty and high misio.
meanoUr:
And whereas complaints are also made that
officers Of the U. S. or persons holding offices
or cmployments under the authority of the
same, are in the habit of intcrmeddling in cleo
lions, both state and federal, otherwise than by
giving their votos
And whereas such practice is a violation of
the freedom Of elections and a gross abuse
which ought to be discountenanced by the ap-
pointing power and prohibited by law;
And whereas complaints are also made that,
pending the late election of President and Vice
President of the U. S., officers and employ
mcnts were distributed and conferred, in many
instances, under circumstances affordng a
strong presumption of corruption, or that they
were conferred, az the inducements, or tho re.
ward of influence employed, or to be employ
ed in said elcction:
And whereas, such practice in the admin
islraion Of the patronage Of tho government,
will speedily dc troy the purity and freedom Of
the elective franchise, and undermine the free
system of government, now happily establish
ed in these United States:
Therefore, To prevent the recurrence Of any
practices which may give rise TO similar com.
plants in future,
SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and
House Of Representatives Of the United States
OF America in Congress assembled, That
from and after the fourth day of March, 1887,
no officer, agent, or contractor, or other per-
ron holding any office or employment Of trust
or profit under the Constitution and Laws Of
the United States, shall, by the contribution Of
money or other valuable thing, or by the use
of the ranking privilege, or the abuse Of any
other official privilege or function, rby threats
and mcnaccs, or in any other manner, inter-
NEEDLE with the election of any member or
membcrs of either house of Congress, or oil
the President or Vice President Of the United
States or Of the Governor or other officer oil
any state, or Of any member or members OF the
legislature of any state and every such officer
or other person offending therein, shall be held
10 be guilty Of high misdemcanor, and upon
conslciion in any court OF the United States
having jurisdiction thereof, shall pay Inc not
exceeding $1,000; and any officer other than
the President, Vice President and Judges Of
any Of the courts of the United States, so con-
victed, shall be thereupon removed from office,
and shall be, ever after, incapable OF holding
any office or place of trust under the authority
OF the United States-provided that nothing
herein contained shall be SO construed as to
interfere with the right of suffrage as secured
by the constitution; and provided further, that
nothing herein contained shall so operate as 10
prevent the President or the head oil any dc.
partment who is invested by law with the pow
err Of appointing inferior officers, from remo-
wing from office at any time, any incumbent
whom the President or head OF department,
as the case may be, shall be satisfied has in
iermeddled in any election, state or federal.
SEC. 2. And be il further enacted, That
from and after the fourth day Of March, 1887,
no officer, who, by the Constitution and laws
OF the U. S. is authorised to appoint or nonl-
mate and appoint any officer or agent OF the
Government, SHALL by himself or by any other
person or persons in his behalf, give, or pro.
cure to be given, or promise TO give, or procure
TO be given, any office, place, or employment
to any person or persons whatsoever with IN
tent to corrupt or bride him or them, or, upon
any agreement, that such person or persons tt
whom or for whose use, or, on whose behal
such gift or promise shall be made, shall cAer
his or their influence in any election, or by
himsel 'or themselves, or by any other pelsor
OF persons, at his or their solicitation, cndeav
or 10 secure the election OF any person or per
sons to repr eseni any State or any District IL
any State in Congress, or OF any person TO b'
President or Vice President oil the United
States, or of any person to be Governor, o.
other officer of any State, or Of any person o
persons 10 be a member or members of thu
Legislature of any state; and every such off
Ger ohe nding therein, shall be held to be guilt.
ofah Oh misdemeanor, and upon conviction
in any Court of the United States, having ju
rishirlinn Ihernnf shnll nav inc not eXcee