The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-02-21
The Radical Election Law,


The provisions OF the Congressional
election law, which authorizes the en-
ployment Of troops at State elections,
will be made more stringent by the pres
ent Congress.
The bill now pending in the House
comprises eighteen sections, but it may
be briefly summed up as a measure max
ing tue Fc,lcral Election Law Of last
session more stringent in most every re-
spect. by imposing penalties of fine and
Imprisonment regarding the registration
of voters; extending its operations to
all cities whose population exceeds
twenty thousand inhabitants, provided
two citizens shaI. apply to the Judge Of
the United States Circuit Court in whose
circuit the town or city may be located,
that they dosire the law to he enforced
in said place,and requiring said Court to
provide for the appointment of Federal
Inspectors and Supervisors of Elections
to attenl at all registration Of voters
and elections for Representative or Del
gate in Congress, and to remain in scs,
sion while the act is being enforced to
transact business under it.
Elaborate powers are given to the In
spectors to inspect, at all times. on the
day of election, the way the voting is
done and the way the register, tally books
and lists are kept,aud to personally scru-
ftlnize, count aud canvass every ballot,
whatever may be the Endorsement on
said ballot. or in whatever box it may
be placed or found, and to forward their
report to Chief Supervisor provided
By this act for each judicial District.
Procision Is made for the United
States Marshal and a number Of Depu.
ties to protect and assist the Inspectors
and to arrest, without any ,carrant, dns
one ,cao iatelferes ,oith the coting or reg.
istration, uadsr color Of euea State o.
mani cipGl lac, or ,cho commits any Of tht
ofenses prescribed by this act
No person, however is to be arrested
without process for any offense not com
mitted in the presence of the Marshal Oh
his Deputies, or without process for any
offense committed on the day of regis
tration, but all those tcho attempt to in
teyJcre IN any ,cay, under cslor Of Stat,
or municipal authority, shall be deemed
guilty Of misdemeaaor, and puaishee
| 5ya fine Of $4,000 and taprisoameatf foi
not more than tVo gears.
1t is further provided that whoeve
shall, during the progress Of any verii
cation of any list of the persons who
may have registered or voted, and whicl
shall be had or made under any of th,
provisions of this act, refuse to answe
or refrain from answering. or shall Civ
false information in respect to any inqui
Try lawfully made, such person is mad
liable to arrest and Imprisonment as fo
a misdemeanor.
The Marshals are authorized and re
quired, in case of necessity, to call th
commanding officer of the nearest Uni
tied States military or naval force to en-
Fable the Marshal or his deputies to dis
charge their duties under this act ant
old LAW, and it is made the duty of sucl
commanding officer upon such requisi
tion to obey it without delay, and forth
With to detail and employ the milltar.
or naval force of the United States.
/ IT is providod further; Mat!f an az
gtered citizen sues one Of the officers IN
/ der this act, the lattermay transfer til
case 10 the United States Circuit Cour
and the judgment of a State Court 1
such a case shaltJc null and roid
Sections 5 and of the act of las
session to amend the naturalization law
and to punish crime against the same ar
repealed by this bill, though such repe'
is not to affect pending suits This bi
will, of course. pass the House an
! probably the Senate.
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