The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-06-07
The Greatest Radical Outrage
An Act TO EnsIave the White People

The act to enforce the 18th amend
ment is worthy the attention of every
one, who observes the progress of om
institutions towards that fatal termina
ton which events forebode. We think
it of so much importance, that we give
a synopsis of its provisions, in that part
of our newspaper in which we think il
will attract most attention.
The following synopsis gives us the
sense of the most important provisions
of the above named law in a clear and
ineligible shape:
First section enacts that all persons
qualified to vote shall he allowed to do
so.
Second section enacts that if there be
any prerequisite for voting, the persons
appointed shall give to all persons equal
opportunities to perform such prerequi,
site. Penalty 500 to the party az
grieved and $500 to the government
and imprisonment not less than one
month, nor more than one year, or both
at the discretion of the court
Third section enacts that tie ofcr Ia
perform such prerequisite shall be held
to be performance, if it fail by reason
of the wrongful act or omission of the
party entrusted with the duty Of receiv.
ing or permitting such performance, and
subjects the person wrongfully refusing,
or emitting to receive, count, certify,
register or report the vote to the punish.
ment prescribed.
Fourth section enacts that any per,
son, or combination Of persons, who, by
force, bribery, threat, "or other unlaw.
full means" shall hinder, delay, prevent,
or obstruct any person from voting, shall
he punished as prescribed in the second
section.
Fifth section enacts that any one who
shall prevent, or attempt to prevent
hinder, control or intimidate persons
from or in exercising the right of suf
fragc, hy bribery, threats of discharging
from employment, ejecting from prem
ises, &c, shall be guilty of misdemea
nor. Penalty, fine $500 or imprison
ment, or both.
Sixth section enacts that any COM
bination Of persons who shall cOnsplrt
together or 90 in disguise upon the
public highway, or upon the premises
of another for the purpose OF violating
any of the provisions of this act, shall
he guilty of a felony Penalty, fine not
exceeding $1,000 and Imprisonment not
exceeding ten years. and iHeligibility to
office
Seventh section enacts that IT, in VIOLA
ting the act. any crime be committed, il
shall be punished as the State laws pre-
scribe
Eighth section gives the United States
District court exclusive cOgnizance Of
the crimes, and with the Circuit court
concurrent jurisdiction Of the civil
causes arising under this act.
Ninth section enacts that the district
attorneys, marshals, deputy marshals
commissioners and every other oWce'
specially empowered By the President
shall be authorized at the expense OF
the United States" institute proceedings
against any person who shallviolate the
provisions of this act, and cause him tc
he arrested, imprisoned, or bailed for
trial, &c; and the Circuit court can ap
point any number of commissioners II
pleases.
Tenth section enacts that any person
who shall knowingly obstruct an officer
or person assisting him from making al
arrest, or shall rescue, or attempt tc
rescue, the person arrested, or shal!
aid and abet such an attempt, or shall
knowingly harbor and conceal person
from arrest, shall be guilty of a misde
meanor. Penalty, fine Sl0OOor imprls
onment for six months, or both.
The remaining clauses relate to the
officers and processes of the court anC
congressional elections.