San Andreas independent., 1856-11-01


ities to examine the statutes, we publish such
Sections of the Election Law, as are more par
tcularly necessary to legally organize the Board,
and control the opening, closing and operation
OF the Polls; also, the legal qualification Of an
elector.
1t is q moral, as well as a political duty, for
every qualified voter to deposit his ballot. 1t
is, also, religious duty, to let no corruption of
any nature approach the sanctity of the Ballot
Box. When in doubt, about being qualified
voter, the elector should examine the law for
himself and if not fully convinced that he is
entitled to vote, he should refuse to do so, and
spurn the evil genius who may attempt to SUBJ
born fraudulent or illegal vote and thus will
sustain the purity of elective franchise, unawed
by fear or unbiased by gain. The law is plain.
and to the point; and if any adopted citizen is
certain that he is entitled, by the provisions of
the Tar, to cote, 1t is his privilege and bounden
duty to insist on the right, in the face of anv
opposition interposed by political trcksters-
Remember, also, that the man who stands by
and witnesses any illegal vote registered, is
equally culpable with the aggressor; therefore.
1t becomes not only the right but the sacred
duty OF every American citizen, native or adopt
ed, to challenge the fraudulent vote. and thus
assist in sustaining the purity of the Ballot
Box,-none but the fool or the kaape get an
CRY when his vote is challenged
On this subject, the Sacramento Union SAYS
thousands of men have SO blunted their
sensibilites in reference to elections, as to act
as II they considered everything fair at an cleo
t0R, and that, II you can double vote or get
few hundred half intoxicated fellows to swear
IN their votes, who are notoriously not entitled
to vote, they have done acts which entitle them
to the lasting gratitude of the party for which
they are laboring. Men do these things too
and reason themselves into the belief that it is
all right, who would scorn to do dishonorable
act in their relations and transactions with So
ciety as individuals. demonstrate with them
for being concerned in election frauds, and thew
will reply, with a laugh, 90, the other side
cheats as much as we de, and if we dent swindle
an some votes, we are sure to be beaten" Sue
cess, with this kind of politicians, justifes the
means, no matter how base they may be con-
Sidered in the eye of morality. The amount of
perjury committed on the day of a Presidential
election, throughout the Union, is fearful to
contemplate"
THE ELECTION LAW.
Extracts from an Act entitled, "An act to Req
aLdte Elections"
Section 10. Every white male citizen of the
United States, and every white male citizen of
Mexico who shall have elected to become cit
izen ofthe United States under the treaty ofpeace
exchanged and ratified at Quaretero, on the 3Oth
day ofMay, l84S, of the age of twenty-one years,
who shall have been a resident of the state
SIX months next preceding the election, and the
county or district in which he claims his vote
thirty days. shall be entitled to vote at all cleo
tions which are now or hereafter may be author
lied by law.
Sec. II. 1t shall be the duty of each inspec-
tor to be at the place where the polls are to be
opened in the precinct for which he is appoint
ed, from eight o'clock in the morning until sun
set on the day of the election Should such
inspector not appear at eight o'clock in the
morning, the electors present at the place where
the polls are to be opened, may appoint an in
spector for the precinct
Sec. Is. The board of inspectors for each
precinct shall, before the time of opening the
polls, appoint two suitable persons to act as
clerks.
Sec. 10. Before any election shall be opened |
the inspector, judges, and clerks shall each be-
fore any officer authorized to administer oaths |
take an oath that he will faithfully and impair |
tally discharge the duties assigned him by |
law. II there is no person present authorized |
to administer oaths, the inspector shall admin
lister the same to the judges and clerks, and
one of the judges shall then administer the |
oath to the Inspector.
Sec 20. The inspector shall be chairman of
the board and after its organization shall have
power to administer all necessary oaths which
may be required in the progress of the election.
He shall also have power to fill any vacancy
that may occur in the board of judges, or by
absence or refusal to serve of either of the
clerks, after the polls have been opened
Sec. p. At all elections the polls shall be
opened at eight o'clock in the morning, and
shall continue open until sunset, at which time
the judges shall close the polls: Provided, !
that the judges of the election may take re-
cess OF one hour at any time they may think
proper during the day. before three o'clock in
the afternoon.
Sec. o. Any person offering to vote may be |
challenged as unqulifed by the inspector, or
either of the judges, or by any legal voter, and
1t shall In all cases, be the duty of the inspector
and each of the judges to challenge any person
offering to vote whom he shall know or suspect |
not to be duly qualified as an elector.
Sec. 2S When any person offering to vote is |
challenged, it shall be the duty of the board of
Judges to declare to him the qualifications of an
elector
Sec. 70. Ii such person shall still insist that
he is entitled to vote and the challenge shall not
be withdrawn, the board of judges, in their dis
cretion, may administer an oath or affirmation
to the voter; You do swear Cor affirm) that
you are citizen of the United States that you
are of the age of twenty-one years, according
to the best of your information and belief; that
you have resided in this state six months next
preceding this election, and in this county Tor
district, or township, as the case may bel thirty
days, and that you have not before voted this
day."
Sec. 30 If the person thus challenged shall
take the oath as rendered to him by the board