Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1863-05-29
AN ACT TO SECURE THE FREEDOM OF
ELEGIInNS In TLIIS srATE


WHEREAS the Constitution Of this state declares that
" all elections shall be free aud equal and whereas the
freedom of elections sud the ee enioy cut Of the right
Of suffrage, according TO the Constitution and laws of the
State, essential Ia the enjoyment public lihelty
and whereas evil disposed persons did armed sol
ders To be brought into a state and to bu present at
different voting places in tho State the day the last
general election and irea election thereby prevent
eds aud whereas IL is proper hat eps un Of grave
offence against the peace and dignity o the state shall
he prevented Therefore,
sRcrioS /, ne i enacted 5y HE Senate ant Hgtte nt
Representatives et he State u bclicarc In Gperdi As
Ssalby met That II any person being czen nhai-
tan Of this State shalt send or cause to n sent bring or
cause to be brought into this State shall aid abet
procure a vise COUNSEL IN manner assist sou-
lug bilnsn ino this state any armed soldier sol
disrs to lie present any voting place this state
within five miles theeo The day u any general, spa-
ca other election hereafter to be- holden Ia this State
shall aid abt procure, advise, counsel, in any
soldier soldiers at any such voting place, within
five miles thereof on any such election day. every ers
Offending shall be guilty Of felony, and upn conviction
thereof by INDICTMENT shall forfeit and pay tine state
fine Of not less than thousand dollars and moro
than ten Thousand dollars aud shall be IMPRISONED lur
term not less than more thtn i've years, aud
shall forever thereafter be incapable Of exercising the
right OF suffrage in this State.
sgcrloS . Bs FURTHER enacted as aforesaid That II
any person, being citizen inhablnt Of this state,
shall aid, aet procure advise, counsel in any
assist, or be guilty of military Interference in any manner
with the freedom Of any election Ia this State every per-
SON 40 offending shall be guilty felony aud upnn con.
vicou thereof by i4demen shall forfeit and pay to the
state fms OF not less than thousand dollar, nor
more than ten thousand dollars and shall be Imprisoned
for term not less than than v0 years. aud
shall thereafter be incapable Of exercising tbs
right Of suffrage in this state
sEcrloa 81 And be it further cHacledas aforesaid That
II any Inspector, presiding officer judge OF any eec-
ton In this state any other person, shall administer
or cause to be administered any legal u this State
any oath or affirmation not authorized by the Conslu
on or laws Of this state for That purpose pr,equ
site condition Of voting at any election in this state
except when such oath affirmation shall be- administer
ed In order to satisfy such lhsp ctor presiding officer
judge that such vote Is aega vote according TO the Con-
stuton and laws OF this state such Inspector presiding
officer judge other person so offending shall he guilty
Of misdeneanor anu upon conviction thereof, by u
icment shall for every such offence forfeit aud pa to
the state line OF not less than five hundred dollars AID
not more than thousand dollars and ehHll te i'm
prisoned for term OF ten days.