The Messenger. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1858-18??, 1863-04-15
m " ACT TO SECURE TIE
FREEDOM OF ELECTIONS
FM IN THIS STATE.

this State declares that call elections
shall be free and equal" and whereas
shs freedom of elections and the free en-
joyment of tho right of suffrage, accord
ing to the Constitution and laws of the
State, are essential to the enjoyment of
public liberty; and whereas evil dispes-
cd persons did cause armed soldiers to
be brought into this State and to be pres
emit ut different voting places in the State
on the day of the last general election,
and a free election was thereby preysnt-
cd; and whereas it is proper that rep,
etition of so grave an offence against the
peace and dignity Of the State shall be
prevented: Therefore,
SECTION /. Be 1T enacted By the Sen
uct and House of Representatives of the
State'of Dsiasoars in General assembly
met, That if any person being citizen
or iuhab:tsnt of this State shall send or
cause to be sent, bring or cause to be
brought into this State, or shall aid,
sbet, procure, advise, counsel, or in any
manner assist III sending or bringing in
to this State any armed soldier or SOL
diers 10 be present at any voting place
Id this Slate or within Eve miles thoreef,
on the day Of any general, special, or
other election hereafter to be holden in
.iiis State, or shall aid, abet, procure,
advise, counsel, or in any manner arsist
the presence or attendance of any armed
soldier or soldiers at any such voting
place, or within FIVE miles thereof ON
any such election day, every person so
offending shall be guilty Of felony. and
upon conviction thereof, by indictment,
shall forfeit aud pay to the State fine
ofinot less than one thousand dollars
and not ,uoro than ten thousand dollars,
and shall be imprisoned for term not
less than oue nor more siisu five years,
and shall forever thereafter be iiicapa-
bile of exercising the right of suffrage in
this State.
SETON Q. b. it further enacted as
aforesaid, That if any per'on, beng a
citizen or inhabitant Of this State, shall
aid, abet, pressure, advise, counsel, or in
any manner assist, or be- guilty Of milf
tary interference ia any manner with
the Freedom of any electioa III Iais State,
every person SO offending shall he guilty
of felony aud upoa conviction thereof,
by Indictment, shall forfeit and pay tc
abe Sta'e fine If not less than one
thousand dollars nor more than ten tlious.
aud dolart, and shall be iInl risoned f,'I
term not less than one ror more thar
five years, and shall furever thereafter
he incapable Of exercising the right d
suffrage in this State.
SECTION 5. lind be Il further enact
ed as aforesaid, That if any Inspector
presiding officer orjudge of ANY election
10 this State, or-agy other person, shsi
administer, or cause TO pe administered
10 any legal voter ia sllis State any oa,l
or affirmation not authorized by the Con
stitnion or laws of this State for tina
purpose as q prerequisite or condition
of voting at any election in this State
except wher such oath or affirmation
shall be administered in order to sa.i1f,
such Inspector. presiding officer or judge
that s,iei, vote is legal vote according
to the Constitution aud laws of this State
sach Inspector, presiding officer, Judge
or other pcrscO so offending shall b
guilty of i nIsdemeanor, and upon con
viction thereof, by Indictment, shall: 70
every such offence, forfeit and pay t
sAe State fine of not less than fv
aiuxdred dollars aud not more than on
xhousand dollars and shall be iniprisone
for term of ten days.
-; -',
|, John b., Pennington, Clerk of ili
House of Representatives of the Sta,
of Delaware, being authorized By Res
ofution of said House to have the fore
going act, entitled san Act to secur
ahe Freedom of Elections ia this State,
published in "Ihe Journal and State
man," "The DeIaDarean," and ii
ssGsorgeioiUn .Mssssnger," for the perio
of two months, do hereby certify thi
the above and foregoing is a true COP
of said act, passed at Dover, March 25tl
1868.
In witness whereof, / have hercun
set my hand as Clerk of the House
Representatives, this 18th day of Marc
A. D., one thousand eight hundred an
+sixty-three. -
JOHN B. REMINGTON,
Clerk of the House of Representative