Middletown transcript., 1871-02-25
riss Hnw sAyosnr nlncrsen Law.

PSVVssous VI tne new Dill uessGucu 10 sup-
plcmcnt the Legislation Of last session pla-
cling all elections for Representatives in
Congress under the control Of United
States marshals and their deputies. The
bill. which bears the deceptive title Of
=" An act to enforce the rights Of citizens
10 vote in the several States Of the Union"
and which contains nineteen long. cum
brous and complicated sections. is the most
alarming stride in the direction Of abso-
lutte ccn.ralisa,ion and the complete sub.
jugation Of all State rights and State laws
beneath the foot Of federal power. which
has been attempted 10 the history Of the
country. What heretofore has only been
sought to be accomplished by gradual np-
proach and stealthy and measured steps.
this bill proposes to effect at single
hound. by tho first section Of the new
bill the federal government takes full and
absolute possession Of the registry Of vo-
tcrs provided for by the laws Of any State,
and control Of all State officers OF regis
trntion. Any violation Of the State Law
y u
gainst the United States. to be taken cog
nixancc Of in federal courts. Not relying,
however. upon the faithful performance Of
their duties by the State registers, inspcc-
tors and judges Of election, the bill next
provides for the appointment by the Uni
ted states Circuit Judges Of two federal
Supervisors Of elections in every election
district in cities and tows having 900
inhabitants. BY the fourth section Of the
net, these supervisors nre to attend at all
times aud places fixed for the registration
of voters. and personally inspect and scru-
tinize the registry. by the fifth section.
they are TO attend ut all times and places
for holding elections for Representatives
in Congress, aud for counting the votes
east. aud to remain with the ballot. box
until the last vote is counted. by the
sixth section. these supervisors, on the
days Of registration aud Of election, are
authorized to take, occupy and remain in
such position or positions at the place Of
registration or election as they may see
fit, before or behind the ballot boxes, as
their judgement may dictate. and when
the poll shall be closed they may place
themselves in such position with reference
to the ballot-boxcs as they may choose,
for the purpose Of canvassing the votes.
All this they may do practically TO the en-
tire exclusion Of the State officers. regis
tcrs, judges and inspectors. And the pcu-
atty for any interference with the superv-
sors, or of refusing to aid them when call
cd upon, is imprisonment for not less than
one year and iinc Of from $1,000 to $4,000
or both.
Nor is this half Of the machinery Of in.
timidaton and oppression provided for by
the bill under the pretcxt Of enforcing the
rights Of citizens 10 vote. BY the eighth
section every marshal of the United States
is empowered, aud it is made his duty, to
appoint, upon the application Of two cit-
zens. Especial deputies" to assis. in the
enforcement Of the law. These are to at
tend, not as heretofore. IN election days
only, but at all time and places specified
for the attendance Of the supervisors hat
is, through the whole period Of rcgistre-
tion, Of voting and of counting Of ballots.
They may arrest. with or wi,hou. process
any person who shall commit or attcmp,
to commit any Of the things prohibited by
the act, or by the act Of last session. or
who shall commit any ofIense against any
law Of the United States and if these
deputy marshals should themselves violate
the lnws-if they should be drunk or dis.
orderly aud interfere with the freedom and
good order Of the election, voc be to the
State officer, magistrate or policeman who
should venture to lay n hand upon them.
by the tenth section, the same penalties
as in the case Of any interference with the
supervisors are denounced against any per-
son who shall dare attempt to " interfere
with. remove or eject them from any such
place Of registration or poll Of election"
Finally. the crown Of all the montrosi-
;ties Of this most nlonstrous BILL by the
18th section each and all Of these func-
tionarics, big aud little. supervisors and
deputy marshals, has the array and navy
of the United States at his beck and call
He may summons Dpsse commitatus Of
the by ISLANDERS, or call upon the ncares,
military officer for aid, and, in the Ian
guagc Of tho bill. lit shall be the duty oil
such commanding officer, upon such re-
QUESTION being made. to abcy it without
delay" Then TO stimulate the seal ol
this army Of officials. clothed with powers
moro terrible than those Of Russian po.
lice. the bill provides that each aud every
supervisor or deputy marshall receive
compensation at the rate Of five dollars per
AW FOR each and every day be shall &C.
,tually have been on duty, not exceeding
ten days"
Who san .yapder. in view Of tho use
proposed to be made Of tho army BY thi.
bill. and Of what has already taken place
under the previous act, that Mr.. Brooks
Of New York, declared in the House las,
week, when the army appropriation bill
was under discussion. that, so help him
God, he would never vote one dollar for
the pay Of the army while the bayone'
election Law remained upon tho statute
book. Better far would il be to disband
the army tomorrow, to dismantle every