Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-07-25


that in another county the Wing Com
missioners of election refused, in the
election of 1910, to admit challenges.
and put the contested voter to the oath.
we hope we may be excused for calling
your attention to the following sugges-
tons:
L. We advise the Delegates of the
Convention to investigate the move
ments in their respective counties, and
bring with them a statement of the
number of spurious votes, if any, which
may have been created In those coun-
ties:
2. To confer at home upon the best
and most respectful mode Of enforcing
the rigorous execution Of the Election
Laws-and Of pledgihg themselves tc
the enforcement of their penalties.
The laws relative to the duties o.
Commissioners in the Presidential cleo
ton, and their responsibilities, require
them, in the first place, to take an oath
before entering upon the discharge OF
their duties TO execute faithfully and
truly, according to the law of the office
of Commissioner, and they swear that
they will, to the best of their skill and
judgment, admit all persons to cote, en-
titled to do so, who may apply; and
reject all not 50 entiNed-and that they
will make fair and true return of the
persons voted for as Electors, and of
the number of votes given for each
The law also provides, .tthat nothing
in this or any other act shall be so con-
strued as to authorize or require the
Commissioners to permit any person
to vote unless they shall decide, that
such person is entitled to vote; and for
the purpose Of better enabling them to
decide upon cases of doubtful votes,
they are hereby empowered to swear
any person, (whose right to vote may
be questioned, to answer such ques-
tons and make such statements in re-
lation to his right to vote as they may
deem proper" It then imposes the fol-
lowing penalty on the Commissioners:
cor if any Commissioner shall fail to
attend, or refuse to take the poll, being
to do SO by a candidate or per-
son qualified to vote, or shall take 1t
contrary to laao; or shall make or sign
a false return, or shall falsify the polls
or tickets by erasure, alteration or 9TH
erwise, he or they 50 offending shall,
for every such offence, forfeit and pay
the sum Of three hundred dollars, to be
recovered with costs in an action of
debt, before any Court of record in this
Commonwealth, by any person who
will sue for the same"
The law of 4841-'42, prohibits any
one from voting, or offering TO vote, in
any election by virtue Of any interest
Or pretended interest, in real estate,
the same shall purport to be a
freehold or only chattelreaI, under or
to any deed, when such deed
is without any good or valuable con-
and understood between the
parties thereto as not intended to vest
in the grantees any beneficial interest
in the property which they purport to
convey, but for the purpose merely Of
them to vote; and declares
such person, his aiders, abetters and
advisers, to be guilty of a misdemean-
Or, and subjects them to fine Of not
less than ten nor more than one hun
lred dollars, to be recovered with costs
by indictment Or information before a.
ny Court Of Record for the County or
Corporation in which the offence shall
be committed; and subjects them more
over to confinement in the county jail
for term not exceeding three months.
This law also prohibits the execu-
lion of such fraudulent deeds, and sub
ectS the offender to a fine of not less
than fifty dollars, and to confinement
in Jail for not more than three months.
The act Of last session prohibits any
person voting more than once, voting
BY reason Of his own procurement false
y to be assessed with a part of the
'evenue, and subjects the offender to a
inc of one hundred dollars therefore, re-
coverable by mere motion.
The act of 1922, prohibits cleo
ors who offer to vote as housekeepers,
ak payers and heads of families, from
7oting out of the county, city, town or
borough wherethey live; and those who
offer to vote upon landed interest, from
voting except where the land lies.
The act of 1S30'31 provides, that
he officer conducting the election,
shall not enter on the poll the vote of
my person who may offer TO vote, I'M
ess he believes such person to be quail
fed to vote, or unless such person
shall swear to his right.
The same act contains this clause;
'Any officer failing to perform any du.
y by this act required, for falling to
perform which, no specific penalty hath
oeen herein before prescribed BY this