Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-10-29
nurAnN rar COMMITTEES .

Let the elective franchise he preserved in ell
il, purity. and We have no fears ior Virginia.
The following shur; law should be circulated
every where, in order Ia show with what severity
orr Legislators regard the lca>: violations OF tie
! Election Laws:
AIR .Ae, 10 grsrcm EtQuds on Tie Ebc,ioa Lort.
Passed March %, 1872
"Whereas il is represented TO The General y &
Scmblv, that numerous frauds have been pefpe-
trate,i upon the elective franchise b. the exccu-
ton of deeds not b0aa fGc purrorn9 10 convey
Interests in real estate when, in fact, such deed.
n,r wliJut an, good .aluatle consideration.
and understood between The parties theleio IS not
intended To vest in The granleeS any beneficial In
ere.r in the property whchth cy purpotto convey,
bui that the sole purpose Of cNecuin. them is 10
enable Tue pretended grantees mentioned in them,
To vote in derogalion ot the Constitution and laws
of the Commonwealth; far remedy whereof
Al. BE HcnaciedbgHe Gcscfat ASSml'H, That
as often as any person shall hereafter cast a
vote, or offer Ia vote in any election 10 be held in
this Commonwealth. Gin which only such per-
sons as are authorized IL exercise The right OF SUI
frase under and by virtue OF The present ConSiilu-
ton Of Virginia can legally rotc) hy virtue OF any
interest or pretended interest in real estate whether
the same shall purTon,o be freehold or only chat
tel real under o. pursuant oany such deed or deeds
as aforesaid knowing the character OF the same,
such person. and h.s aidegs, abe;ols. and adri-
.ers, shall be held AMI deemed 10 haze heen guilty
of 4 m>ticmeanor and shall .c subject therefor 10
a fine oil no, less than ten nor more than one hun
bred collars to be recovered wiih lul! costs ty in
dic,racnt or information before any Court Of lc-
cord Of this Commonwealth. for the cGanty OF
corporation in which said offence shall Inc com
mlc,:; and shall, moreover, upon conviction ~
the verdict ot lurv hc sGnJec, 10 confinement IN
tie lail of said county, al the discretion OF the
Court before whom said Indictment ar lnio'ma-
ion shall be tried provided that said term oil I'M
pr>onmeDt shall in no case exceed three months
~. Be II alS0 enactcd That il any person or
persons >ha hereafter execute any deed OF The
character above mentioned, al! tie parties there
10, knowing the character thereof ana cohschfihS
70 The same their aIdcr>, ateofS aud aaFi>cl>,
shall he held ami deemed 10 Ia Gully 81 inl>t.e-
mcanor. and he subject therefor 10 the payment o.
fine Of not less than fifty dollars 10 bc recovered
with iiil costs hy indictment ar information in
any Court OF record for tia, coany or corporation
in which the real estate or cha;te real interest,
mentioned in said decd deeds, shall Nc ituattd;
and shall moreover, on conviction thereof by Tie
verdict of Jury, be subject 10 confinement, in the
Jail o. that county or corporation in which said
offence shall I've punishable iii the discretion o! the
Court before whom said indictment or niulma-
ton shall be lried provided, however hat in no
case shall said term OF imprisonment, exceed three
months
~ The provision abou; ciolicuring votes in
the Electoral Law OF February last. is general,
81 that the privilege docS not appear 10 be confined
TO the Commissioners We should imagine, that
under the terms of lhe Law. any Voter may chal-
lense vote And as there is no mode OF purg-
ire The polls in the Election of Electors and as il
is desirable that as much vigilance as possible
should he exerted 10 arrest frauds and 10 prevent
dSsenslon, it is hoped that this privilege will be
freely awarded Enqnifer.