The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-29
PROHIBITION OF FEDERAL INTER-
FERENCE IN POPULAR ELEC-
TIQNl.

TIoNs.
| Many thanks are due to Mr.. CRiTrEsDEN, of KY,
Tor coming forward with bill to prevent the off,
GERS Of the Federal Government from interfering
in popular elections. Such bill Is calculated TO
promote more than any other the important
Republican measure Of diminution Of Executive
patronage. Since public Offices are infested with
brawling partizans selected in most cases, for
their brutality and venality, than their integrity OF
character or mental qualifications, and who in con-
sideraion Of their bread, their party first be-
fore their country, it becomes matter of the great
est moment for the statesman, TO consider well whe-
ther the abuses arising in consequence not sap
ping the foundations of public liberty We have
seen the patronage of the Federal Government
brought directly into conflict with the freedom of
elections-w have seen Cabinet officer pointingout
candidates for whole constiluency-we have seen
collectors ofthe Customs leaving their duties and
going about haranguing the people-we have seen
receivers and postmasers bullying electors and brow
beating voler-we see some seduced by official
patronage and others nmdated BY threats Of official
vengeance-in fine, we have seen these executive
officers like the lictors who infested Italy under the
Roman Sub Treasury system, every where manag-
ing, caucussing, debating getting up mock meetiags,
manufacturing public opinion, palmng of resolu-
tons and addresses, bullying, brow beating, seduc-
ing, threatening, and bringing all the means and APP
pliances they devise, their party furnish into
confctwith the elective right. Their efforts are TO
be deprecated because they disinterested.
They are unfit advisers Of the people, because they
labor for their Offices and bread and not for the
country It is altogether anti Republican, and the
same selfish motives which induces an officer to
electioneer, may also induce him to plumber the
people or prostitute his Office whenever opportu-
nifty tempts ambition" 1t is against good sense
against experience, against liberty TO tolerate it. 1t
Is not permitted " in other Countries to which our
President refers us for many eminent examples on
another point, and England the statute orbids the
officers ofthe crown meddling with elections under
heavy penalties Is our Executive or his friends,
more tenacious Of his patronage and power than the
English crown, that he or they should not permit the
people to be thus free
As this is one of our cardinal measures OF Re-
publican reform, we shall recur again 10 the subject
Meantime, the following Is copy of Mr.. Critteil-
den's Bill, introduced by him, in Senate, December
81 and referred to The Committee on the Judiciary:
BILL
To prevent the interference OF certain Federal
officers in elections.
To the end that the great powers given to the Off
GERS Of the Federal Government and other per-
sons employed in its service, may not be used Tor
the influencing of elections, which ought 10 be
free and incorfupt-
Bel enaetedby The Senate and House of Represen-
tatiues of the United States of AnieTtca in Congress
assembled, That from and after the first day OF April,
in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty
nine, no marshal or deputy marshal, no postmaster
or deputy postmaster, no receiver or register of
land Office or any Of !hsi5 aspgtiss Or serkS Ee
deputies or assistants collector surveyor, naval
omcert weigher, guager, appraiser, or other officer
or person whatsoever concerned or employed IN the
charging, collecting, levying or managing the Gus
TOMS or any branch or part thereof, no engineer,
officer, agent employed or concerned in the exc
cution or superintendent Of any OF the public
works, SHALL by word message, or writing, or in
any Other manner whatsoever, epdeavor 10 persuade
any elector 10 give or dissuade any elector from Civ
ing his vote for the choice Of any person to be cleo
tor OF President and Vice President of these United
States, or for the choice of any person to be SEN
ator or Representative in the Congress of the said
United States, or for the choice Of any person to be
Governor or Lieutenant Governor OF any State, or
oil any person to be representative or member in
me Legislative Department Of any State Of this
Union, or for the choice Of any person to serve in
any public Office established BY The law of any of
said States; nor shall any such officer or person in
termedde in any OF the elections above mentioned,
or use any means with intent TO influence control
the same, otherwise than by giving his own vote
and every person offending therein shall forfeit the
sum OF five hundred dollars one moiety thereof TO
the iniormer, and the other moiety thereof TO the
United States aforesaid 10 be recovered, with costs
OF suit by any person that shall for the same by
action OF debt, BILL paint in any of the district
circuit courts Of the United States and every per-
son convict, on any such suit, of the said offence
shall thereby become disabled and incapable of ever
bearing or executing any Office place Of trust
whatsoever under the said United States.