Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-02

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Mr.. Lang has introduced bill into the
Ohio Senate providing for the elective
franchise being extended to the soldiers of
the State. The justice of such measure
cannot we'll be questioned. These men are
doing the honorable work of fighting the
enemies Of their country; why should they
be refused the privilege-nay, the right Of
having voice in the administration of the
State, for whose welfare they are suffering.
When the work of war is done, they are
to return to their homes and their domes-
tic svocations. What justice is there in
denying to them the right to express
choice as to the men whom they shall find
in official station when they return7
The tendency to frauds in elections held
in camps has been one of the objections to
allowing soldiers to vote. This is, in a
great measure, obviated by the provisions
Of Mr. Lang's bill. In the synopsis before
US there is one important omission, which
we trust is not left unattended to in the
original bill mo provision is made as to
the time when these ballots shall be for
warded, while it IS stipulated that the bal
lots shall be forwarded by the Clerks of
Counties to election judges on election
day. In the case of regiments far distant
from the State, it may beimpossible to send
the ballots In time after hearing of the
nominations made by the different parties.
Some confusion will be likely to result
from this. The bill provides that the bal
lot Of each volunteer shall be enclosed in
an envelope, directed to the Clerk of the
County in which the election district where
such volunteer has his residence, is stu
ate, and the words "so1dier vote, with
the name of the township, ward or election
precinct, written on the outside Of the en-
velope, and the name Of the soldier shall
be written on the back or margin of the
ballot.
at shall be the duty of the Clerks OF
counties carefully to preserve all such let
1 IeTS TeCelNeQs anu lOThdIO lllcul1 uuDEoAGu
by him, before II o'clock NJ. on the day Of
such general election to the judges Of the
election Of the respective townships, wsrdE
or election districts to which the same are
directed, by person to be appointed for
the purpose by such Clerk. The ballots SC
sent shall be sealed up in package, ac-
companied by certificate from the Clerk
to the Judge Of election stating the num-
ber of votes received by him for each town
ship. The messenger appointed to trans
nit the votes shall take an oath faithfully
to perform his duty.
"The Clerks shall, within ten days after
the election, deliver the Auditor of theiI
respective counties complete list Of the
names of such persons appointed, number
of miles travelled, etc, who shall be paid
by the County Commissioners for theil
services.
1.-THE judges shall open the ballots, and
if the voter shall be found to possess the
requisite qualifications Of an elector, his
ballot shall be deposited in tho box and
his name entered upon the pOll-boOk.
"For opening, altering, destroying, OF
in any wise defacing such ballots, fine
Of not more than 81 900, or imprisonment
in the penitentiary for not less than one
year, or both, shall bo imposed.
each ballot shall be accompanied by
an affidavit sworn to and subscribed by
such volunteer, to the effect that he is o
citizen of the United States, Of the State
Of Ohio, and qualified voter of the town.
ship, the names in the county specified, sc
This oath shall be administered by any
commissioned officer in the army"