The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-06-01


Major Richards yesterday issued the following
order. directed 10 the lieutensnts Of the several
police precincts. II will be seen that every pre-
caution has been taken to prevent the appear
ance Of disorder:
DEPARTMENT or METROPOLITAN PoLicE,)
0FYIcE OF SUPRRISTRHDExr, }
WAsHiNdroN, May 81, 1867
LIRurENANr The annual election Of NUM-.
eipal officers for the city Of Washington takes
place on Monday next, the Sd proximo.
The Superintendent 10 determined to leave
nothing undone that will tend TO insure order and
protect all voters In the exercise Of their rights
as citizens on that occasion; and with this object
In view, you will observe and cause to be oh.
served tho following rules, viz:
| LIST. No member Of the force must take any
part In the election further than to deposit bis
own vote; and any member found distributing
tickets, soliciting votes for any candidate, or
doing any other act indicating a bias toward one
or other Of the parties to the election contest
which may have any tendency to influence tho
result will be treated as having violated the
rules and regulations.
I'd. When tho receivers Of votes shall have
given their decision 10 any case, that decision,
so far a' the police are concerned, 10 final, and
they will take immediate care that no obstacle
Is offered to other person, desiring TO vote. When
citizen has deposited his vote, or It has been de.
oided that ho Is not entitled to vote, the police
officer will require him to move on, and no bick-
ering or quarrsling In tho polling places must be
for an instant tolerated. The receivers Of votes
must in all cases DO protected from insult.
3d. The line Of voters will be kept always free
from distractions, and any attempt to break the
line will be met at any hazard BY the prompt
arrect Of the party parties making tho attempt.
4th. Drunken and disorderly persons must be
promptly taken to the station. house.
5th. Persons having concealed weapons must
be arrested and dealt with according to law.
9th. You will immediately report any out
break to headquarters.
It'll Tho men placed on reserve must remain
In the station house ready for duty, and any alb
,encs therefrom without an order, or permission
to leave, will be reported q violation Of duty
9Th. No threats, taunts jeers, or insults will be
tolerated for Q moment towards any voter, aud
persons guilty Of such conduct must be immsdi'
ately arrested.
|, 9th. Your attention IL specially called to sec
tion Of an act entitled An act to regulate th,
Q elective franchise In the District Of Columbia,
which reads as follows, viz:
"dRd be t. further enacted, That II any person
or persons shall wifully interrupt or disturb an!
such elector In the exercise Of such franchise h
or they shall be deemed guilty Of q misdemeanor
i and on conviction thereof shall be hued in an.
. sum not to exceed one thousand dollars, or b
n imprisoned In the Jail In said District for perio
= not to exceed thirty days or both, at the dsor'
,, ton of the COURT
ID Persons who ''interrupt or disturb any elector
by challenging his vote at the polls II they shA
. persist in so doing, you will arrest as havin
violated the provisions Of the sbove.named SET
ton.
10 1t is deemed hardly necessary to remind OIL
hcers that 1t Is their duty to be polite, cool, an
q prompt, to forbear as long rs the ciroumstanct
N Of the case will warrant, and then to act In sue
O. q way as to demonstrate that they are neiths
70 triang themselves nor to DO triaed with.
~ Under ordinary circumstances, an election da
| al oil and aett n
n part Of police officers, but on tho Approachir
ID election in the city Of Washington a large nun
IN Der of newly enfranohsed persons, against who
exercise Of the elective franchise strong pref
dice and opposition exist in the minds Of man
= will demand Of you and the officers Of your cot
nd mand tho exercise of tho utmost watchiulne,
n tact, and discretion. You will remind the Of
u. GERS Of your command that the same authori
that created the force Of which they arc mel
or bers has also made It their duty to see that I
q the laws Of Congress applicable to the local a
oh fairs Of this District are duly enforced.
II Any officer who cannot discharge this duty d
'ly terminedly and with alacrity, without carpin
or the use Of acrimonious language, should INN
nd diately resign his Office. Manifestations Of d
Is lection by police officers will tend to create
ite trust in the community, and perhaps yiole
m demonstrations on the part OF the already dis
III fected.
his The entire force will be so arranged and
his tailed that II can BIO concentrated at any POI
his In few minutes, should events require 1t.
md The Superintendent would remind you Il
bis not only will the eyes Of this community be uT
MI you on Monday next, but the whole country '
note your manner Of exercising the trust repoi
hat In you.
mi. Discard all prejudces and predictions on Il
by day, being mindful only Of your duty, aud J
oil shall win the esteem Of oil lovers of law Z
order. A. Q. RICHARDS,
5 to Major aud Superintendent