Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-04-21

10 prerent frauds on The Election Laos,
Passed March &c, 1912

I
werRrAs IL il represented TO the General As
emily that pun,erou. frauds have been perpetras.
ed r,o the Elective Franchise by The execution Of
deeds. no, bona fde pnrpo.ing 70 convey interests
!, zeal estate when in fact snch deeds without
av good or valuable consider alton; and understood
between the psEties thereto. not intended vest
in The grantees any ben fetal interest 10 the proper.
~ which they purport to convey, but that the sole
purpose of executing them is to enable the pretend
ed grantees mentioned in them, vote, 10 deroga-
lion OF the Constitution and laws Ct this Common
wealth For remedy Whereof
l. Be il enacted by the General Assembly, That
as often any person shall hereafter cast vote,
or ofsr 10 vote in any election be held in tins
Commonwealth, Gin hich only such persons are
authorised 10 execute the :, hit Of suffrage, under
and BY yrtne ofthe present Constitution Of Virginia
lswfuly yo,e) by virtue OF any interest, pre-
tended interest in real estate, whether the same
shall pu.port TO be freehold, or only chattel
real, ander pursuant TO any such deed, deeds
as aforesaid, knowing the character Of the same.
such person and his aiders. abeitors and advisers,
shall be held and deemed TO have been guilty. 81 q
msdemeanor. ard shall be subject 10 fine Of not
less than len nor more Than one hundred dollars,
to be received with full costs, by Indictment, in
formation before any Court Of record of this Com
nonweaith for the county or coFpofation, in which
said offence shall be committed--end shall more
subject to confinement ia the Jail Of said county
the discretion Of the Court before whom said iadict
ment or my Information shall be tried, provided
that said Of imprisonment shall in no case ex-
coed three months.
.. Be il also enacted That II any person or per-
sons shall hereafter execute any deed OF the char
acter above mentioned, ell the parties thereto.
knowing the character thereof and conserving TO
the same their aiders and advisers shall be held
I -, ,,.tf. F. nla md he
bject therefor the payment Of ae Of not less
than FIFTY DOLLARS, to be recovered with foil
costs, by indictment information in any court OF
record for that county corporation 10 which the
real estate or chattel real interest mentioned in
said deed OF deeds, shall be situated: And shall
moreover, conviction thereof by the verdict OF
iury be subject confinement in the Jail of that
cosnty corporation, ia which said offence shall
be punishable. in the discretion Of the court before
whom the said Indictment or information sh,ll be
tried; providea, hopever, that in said term
of i'm prisonment shall exceed three months.
g. Be it fuiiher enacted That in addition to the
superintendents required by the foBy-sixth section
of the Act Concerning General Elections" pass
ed prl Cd, 1881 il shall be the duty OF the court
Of each county, whether a separate poll polls arc
authorised to be held therein OF not, to appoint FIVE
discreet and residents of said
county, who or any two more Of whom may act,
to superntend the election at the court house ii
said county; and the persons so appointed shall
take the same oath and perform the same duties
which are prescribed in the said act. And the same
proceedings shall be had in Of death, removal,
resignation or refusal 10 act therein prescrb
ed And moreover, in the election Of Senators, 10
the State Legislature, of Representatives to the
Congress of the United States, no clector shall be
emitted TO vote, any interest in land, unless
said land lie in the county, town city, in which
SAID elector Offers to vote.
A. Be il further enacted, That this act shall be
constantly given in charge to the Grand jules in
The several courts Of this Commonwealth.