The mountain Democrat., 1865-06-10
THE NoUNTATN DEROCRAT.

FRRRDoN OF ELECTIONS. following
are the provisions Of the bill recently
passed BY Congress to prevent officers Of
the army and navy, and other persons
engaged in the military and naval service
Of the Unitei States, from interfering 10
elections In the States
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
Of Representatives of the United States Of
Americs in Congress assembled, That 1t
shall not be lawful fur any military or
naval officer Of the Uni'ed States, or 9th
Ct persons engaged in the civil, military.
or naval service Of the United States, to
order. bring, keep. or have under his AL.
thotily or SONaTUl, any troops or armed
men at the place where any general or
special election is held in any State of
the United States Of America, unless il
shall be Necessary, to repcl the armed IN
emies OF the United States, or to keep the
peace at the polls And that il shall not
be lawful for any officer of the army or
navy Of the United States to prescribe or
fix BY proclamation. order. or otherwise,
the qualifications for voters in any State
Of the United States OF America, or in anv
manner TO interfere with the frcelUln Of
any election Of any State, or with the ex
ercise of the free right of xuffi age in anv
SIste Of the United States. ANY officer
Of the army or navy Of tho United States.
Or other persons engaged in the civil mil.
iiarv, or naval service of the Umiied
States, who violates this section Of this
act, shall, for every such Offence, be liable
81 indictment as fnr a mi<drmranOr, in
any Court Of the United States having
Jurisdiction TO hear. try. and determine
cases Of mi>demrnnor, and on conviction
thereof shall pay u fine not exceeding five
thousand dollars, and suffer imp, iSOnmcnt
in the pen itentiary not less than three
months nor more than Ave years. ut the
discretion Of the Court trying the same
aad any person convicted aS aforesaid
Shall. moreover, be disqualified from hold
ing any Office Of honor, profit or trust.
under the United States; Providid. Tl.al
nothing herein contained Shall lie ~ con.
Hlrued ~ to prevent any Officers. >ul,Iiers,
sailors, or marines, from exercising the
right Of Suff age in any election district
TO which he Inay belong. il otherwise
qualified, according to the laws of the
State in which he shall of, r to vote.
SEC 9. And be it further enacted,
That any officer or person in the military
or naval service Of the United States, who
shall order or advise, or " no shall direct
ly or indirectlv.hy force. threat or menace,
Intimidation or otherwise. prevent or at
tempt to prevent. any qualified voter Of
any State Of the United States Of America
from freely exercising the night Of suffrage
at any general or special election in any
State Of the Cnitel States, or who shall
in like manner compel, or attempt to
compel, any officer of any election in any
State to receive a vote from person not
legally qualified TO vote or shall inpu>"
or attempt 70 impose, any rules or rcgula
ti"nS Tor conducting Snch election ditfrr
Cnt from those prescribed by law. or in
trI ferv in any manner With any officer of
said election in the discharge Of his du.
ties. shall for any such Offence be liable
o. indictment a. for a ni<fvmcanor. in
any Court Of the United States having
jurisdiction Ia hear, tiv. and determine
cases ri miSdcmrannr, and on cnnvicIion
thereof shall pay II fine nf pot exceeding
five Thousand dDli1rs, and : Itftr inpriSon
ment in the pcniicntarv not Exceeding
five years, at the discretion of the Court
trying the same. aud any person convict.
ed sS aforesaid shall, moreover, lie dis.
qualified from holding any office "t honor,
profit. or trust, under the govrrnmtn mt oi
the United States.
Approved Feb. 25. 1865.