Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1870-03-19
The Ma mon IIorscbacI<.

AN ACT TO ENFORCE NEGRO SUFFRAGE
AT THE POINT OF THE BAYoNET.
The following is published in the
New York papers as the text Of the
bill 10 enforce the amendments to
the Constitution, which was recent.
~ passed in the lower House of
Congress:
"An Act 10 enforce the Fifteenth Amend
nent to the Constitution"
Section l. Be it enacted by the
Senate and House Of Representatives
Of the United States of America, in
congress assembled, That it shall be
the duty Of tho Secretary of the
Interior to appoint, or cause to be
appointed, three Commissioners for
each election district of tho several
Congressional districts ofthe United
States. to enforce tho provisions Of
the Fifteenth Amendment to the
Constitution. Tho said Commits.
+,oners for such purpose shall have
she sole right to decide on tho
qualifications Of all voters who
shall offer to vote for members of
Congress or electors for President
and Vice. President, and the exclu.
sive authority to receive the ballots
cast at any such election.
Sec. 9. 1t shall be the duty of
Commissioners to certify tho result
Of the election in their districts re-
spcctfully, duly sealed, to the said
Secretary of the Interior.
Sec. 3. The Secretary of the Into
rior shall certify under his hand
and seal the names Of the persons
who appear to him by the aforesaid
returns to be elected members of
Congress- or electors for President
and Vice. President, and the persons
who shall receive such certificate of
election shall hold the Office or ex-
crcise the authority therein dcsig-
mated, subject to the sixth section Of
this net.
Sec. 4. 1t shall be the duty of the
United States Marshals in their re-
spective districts to sustain the
commissioners Of Election herein
provided for in the performance Of
their duties. and shall detail suffi-
Gent force Of deputies to secure or
der ut the elections herein provided
for; and in the event of the force of
any such Marshal proving made
nuatc. tho Marshal shall have the
right to call on the nearest COM
handing officer Of troops of the
United States to aid such Marshal
TO preserve order.
Sec. s. II shall be tho duty of the
Secretary of War TO so station the
troops Of the United States, imme-
.,iiatcly preceding any election here
in provided for, at convenient points
adjacent to the principal polling
places of the several Congressional
districts, and in the principal cities
n commanding force of such troops
shall be encamped in the parks or
other suitable places of such cities,
at and preceding any election as
aforesaid. :.
Sec. G. All questions in regard to
tho regularity and fairness OF the
election of members of Congress,
shall DO referred to the Secretary oil
the Interior, to tho House of Rep.
s.esentatives, who shall have exclu'
sive jurisdiction thereof; and in
like manner all questions relating
40 the election Of electors for Presi-
dent and Vice President, shall be
referred to tho President, who'shall
appoint a committee of not less
Than three suitable persons, to cx
anime and decide all such questions
and whose decision shall be hnaI
and conclusive.
Sec. z. This subject shall 60 into
effect when Congress shall, by reso
luton. only declare that three,
fyurths Of the States have ratified
the proposed Fifieehth Amendment
and have dccrccd that the Constitu'
ton is amended accordingly.