The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-08-11
Bishop M. E. church South.
Mobile, June 18th, 1865.

An ACT to Prevent Officers of the Army
and other persons engaged in Military and Ma
val service of the United States interfering in
the Elections in the States.
Be 1T enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives. Of he United States an Con-
greSs assembled That it shall not be lawful
for any military or naval officer of the United
States, or other persons engaged in the civil,
military or naval services of the United States,
to order, bring keep or have under his author
ity or control any troops or armed men at the
place where any general or special election is
held in any State of the United States of A
merica unless it shall be necessary to repel the
armed enemies of the United States or keep
the peace at the polls. And that it shall not be
lawful for any officer of the army or navy of
the United States, to prescribe or fix by proc
lamation, order or otherwise the qualifications
of voters in any State of the United States of
America, or in any manner to interfere with the
freedom of election in any State of the United
States. ANY officer of the army or navy of the
United States, or any other persons engaged in
the civil military service of the United States,
who violates this section of this act. shall for
every such offense be liable to Indictment as for
misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof,
shall pay fine not exceeding five thousand
dollars, and suffer imprisonment In the penlten-
tiary not less than three months nor more than
five years, at the discretion of Court trying the
same; and any person convicted as aforesaid
shall moreover be disqualified from holding any
office of honor, profit or trust under the Uni
ted States. Provided, that nothing herein con-
tanned shall be construed as to prevent any Of
ficers soldiers, sailors, or marines, from exeT-
cising the right of suffrage in any election dis
trict to which he may belong, if otherwise quail
fled according to the laws of the State IN which
| he shall offer to vote.
| Sec 2. And be it futher enacted, that any
officer or person in the military service of the
/ United States who shall order or advise, or who
shall directly or Indirectly by force, threat or
otherwise, prevent or attempt to prevent any
qualified voter of any State of the United
States of America, from freely exercising tho
right of suffrage at any general or special cleo
| ton in any State of the United States; or who
shall in like manner compel or attempt to COM
pei any officer Of an election in any such State
/ to receive a vote from person not legally quail
flied to vote, or who shall impose, or attempt
to impose, any rules or regulations for conduct
ing SAID election different from those prescribed
by law or interfere in any manner with any
officer of said election in the discharge of his
duties, shall for any such offence be liable to in
dictment as for misdemeanor, in any court of
the ULited States having jurisdiction to hear
and determine cases of misdemeanor, and on
conviction thereof, shall pay fine not exceed
ing FIVE thousand dollars, and suffer imprison-
ment in the penitentiary not exceeding fveyears,
at the discretion of the court trying the same;
and any person convicted as aforesaid, shall
moreover be disqualified from holding any office
of honor, profit or trust under the Government
of the United States.
] Approved, February 25, 1863