The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-02-16
SuppycmeutaI Election Law.

The determination Of the Republicans
in Congress to force through supple
mental enforcement act was shown by
vote in the House on the 18th inst,
fixing upon Wednesday, the 18th, for
the passage OF the till under party whip
and spur, after allowing but four hours
debate thereon. The Democrats de-
manded greater latitude tor discus
sion, but were unable to secure more
time The bill comprises eighteen
sections. but it may be briefly summed
ND as a measure making the federal
election law of last session more string
cut in almost every respect, by,imposing
penalties Of fine and Imprisonment re-
gariing the registration of voters, eX-
tending its operations TO all cities whose
population exceeds twenty thousand in
habi,ants, provided two citizens shall
apply to the Judge Of the United States
Circuit Court in whose circuit the town
or city may be located, that they desire
the law to I've enforced in said place,
and requiring said court to provide for
the appointment OF federal inspectors
and supervisors OF elections to attend
all registration OF voters and elections
for Representative or Delegate to Con-
gress, and TO remain in session while
the act is being enforced to transact bus
mess under it. Elaborate powers are
given TO the inspectors to inspect at all
times on the day OF election the way
the voting is done, AM the way the reg
istry, tally-books and lists are kept, and
to personally scrutinize, count and can
vass 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 a
chief supervisor provided by this act
for each judicial district. Provision is
made for the United States Marshal
and a number of deputies TO protect and
assist the inspectors, and to arrest with
out any warrant any person who at
tempts to commit any act prohibited 10y
this supplemental act No one is 10 lie
arrested, however, for any offence not
committed within the presence Of the
Marshal or his deputies. Any State or
local officer who interferes is liable to
arrest, with punishment not exceeding
thousand dollars fine and two years
Imprisonment. Amy person who gives
false information about the verificatlon
of a vote or a registry lis, shall be held
for misdemeanor. The 18th section
gives the Marshal power to call on the
military or naval forces of the United
States to enable him to enforce the law.
1t is made the duty Of the commanding
officers of these United States forces to
obey the requisition tor troops and YES,
sells OF war without delay. Provision
is made for the transfer Of any suit
brought by an aggrieved citizen against
a Federal officer from State court to
the United States Circuit Court, and to
render the Judgment Of a State court
in such a case null and void. Section J
and 6 of the act of last session to amend
the naturalization laws and to punish
crime against the the same, are repeal
ed by this bill, though such repeal Is
not to affect pending suits. 1t will b
noticed that this supplemental measure
is more stringent in its details and fines
| and penalties than the enforcement ac'
or federal election law Of last session