Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-06-10
The Enforcement Bill.

raoeoug in its provisions, unconstltntloha
in its soope and unrepublican IN its lnten
+fong. The Missouri Republican, while ad
hitting the difficulty of comprehending
savs. sit looks like a re-enactment of tn
cold fucitiye slave law, with the whole
"white race as its victims, the negroes 10
<PexcIusi7e benefciaries, and the arm!
"and navy Of the United States for It's ex
''ccutioners."
From the following brief synopsis, To-
Bhichwe are indebtedto the Norfolk VlTgt"
i'm, it will be seen that its provisions arr
very sweeping IN their scope, and ehec
m almost total change in the form OF oul
government. The rights and liberties o
the whole people are embraced IN It's en-
actmeuts, and the powers OF the Onlteo
States Courts are so enlarged ana the IN
reference OF the military SO explicitly
ordered, that in all electoral matters oul
State officials and State courts are power
legq. Under the operations OF this ac'
there is no longer even the shallow pre-
tence Of the rights OfStates over elections
within their borders. United States OH
cials, from Judges down to spies amt IN
formers land the latter seem to be 1mPor-
tant and indispensable appondageS OF our
modern Republican Govcrnment), have the
entire control over elections. They can
prosecute, try and give Judgment on
charges of evasion and infraction OF the
law. It encourages q dangerous system OF
espionage and fosters civil contests by CIV
ing informers one half the fines inflicted,
and by encouraging litigation in Federal
Courts over disputes ut the polls IN regard
to violations of the act. This law goes
far towards making our Fcderatlvo system
Of Governments centralized and military
dospotism.
FIRST section onncta that all persons
qualified to vote shall be allowed to DO 80.
Second section cnacts that If there be
any prerequisite for voting, the person
appointed shall give 10 all persons equal
opportunitics to perform such prerequis-
ito. Penalty five hundred dollars to the
party aggrieyed, five hundred dollars to
the Government and imprisonment not
less than one month, nor more than one
wear, or both at the discretion of the court.
Third section euacts that tie ?fer to per-
fo7.1s such prerequisite shall be held to be
a performance if it fail by reason OF 1.-THE
wrongful act or omission OF the party en-
trusted with the duty Of receiving or por-
uniting such performance, and subjects
the person wrongfully refusing, or omit
ting to receive, count, certify, rcGistor on
report the vote TO the punishment pre-
acribed.
Fourth section cnacts that any person,
or combination of persons who, by force
bribery, threat, cor other unlawful means,
shall hinder, delay, prevent, or obstruct
any person from voting, shall be punished
as prescribed in the second section.
Fifth section enacts that any one who
shall prevent, or attempt to prevent, him
der, control, or intimidato persons from,
or in, exercising the right Of suffrage, by
bribery, threats Of discharging from en-
pIoymeut, ojecting from premises, NC,
shall be guilty of q misdemeanor. Penal
ty, fine five hundred dollars or inprison-
ment, or both
Sixth section cnacts that any combina-
ton of persons who shall conspire togeth
er, or go IN disguise upon tie public high
way, or upon the premises Of another for
the purpose Of violating any OF the provi
sions of this act, shall be guilty of felo-
ny. Penalty, fine not exceeding five thou
sand dollars and imprisonment not exceed
ing ten years, and inellglblhty to office.
Seventh section enacts that if, in viola
ting the act, any cr:lno be committed, it
shall be punished as the State laws pre-
scribe.
Eighth section gives the United States
District Court exclusive cognizance of the !
crimes, and with tho Circuit Court concur
rent jurisdiction OF tho civil causes arising
under this act.
Ninth section cHacts that the district at
sorneys, marshals, deputy marshals, COM
missioners, and erery otler officer specially
empowered Jy he President, " shall be au-
thorized, at the expense of the United
States, toinstituto proceedings againstany |
person who shall violate the provisions of
Alb act, and cause him to be arrested, i'm
prisoned, or bailed for trial, &c; and the
Circuit Court can appoint any number of
commissioners it pleases.
Tenth section enActs that any person
Who shall knowingly obstruet any officer,
or person assisting him, from making an
arrest, or shall rescuo, OF attempt to res
Que, the person arrested, or shall aid and
Rbes such an attempt, or shall knowingly !
haxbor and conceal a person from arrest, |
shan be guilty Of q mi8demeanor. Penal |
by, fine one thousand dollars or innpRSsnn
EasnE six months OF both.
The remaining aLsEaes relate to the OH,