The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-02-16
More Gag Law.
PARTISAN CRUCIAL TESTS FOR VOTERS.

PARTISAN CRUCIAL TESTS FOR VOTERS
A special dispatch from Washington, dated 1atl
inst, says:
The determination Of the republicans in Con
gress to force through g supplemental enforce
ment act was shown by vote in the House to-
day fixing upon Wednesday next for the passage
of the bill under party whip and spur, after al
lowing but four hours debate thereon. The dem
ocrats demanded greater latitude for discussion
but were unable to cure more time. The bill
comprises eighteen sections, but it may be briefly
summed up as a measure making the federal cleo
ton law OF last session more stringent in most ev
cry respect, by imposing penalties of fine and i'm
prisonment regarding the registration of voters
extending its operations to all cities whose popu-
lation exceeds twenty thousand Inhabitants pro
vided 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 be enforced in said place. and requiring
said court to provide for the appointment Of fed.
eral inspectors and supervisors of elections, to
attend all registration of voters and elections for
Representative OF Delegate to Congress, and 10
remain in session while the act is being enforced
to transact business 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,
and the way the registry, tally books and LIFTS are
kept, and t. personally scrutinize count and can
fass every ballot, or in whatever may be the en-
dorsement on said ballot or in whatever box it
may be placed or found and to forward their re
port to chief supervisor provided by this act for
each judicial district. Provision is made for the
U. S. marshal and number OF deputies to pro
teet and assist the inspectors, and to arrest with
out any warrant any pe-son who attempts o com
nit any act prohi bi.ud by this supplemental act
No one is to be arrested, however, for any offense
not committed within the presence of the marshal
or his deputies. Any State or local officer who
interferes is liahleto arrest, with punishment not
exceeding thousand dollars fine and two years
Imprisonment. Any person who gives false In.
formation about the veriGcation of q vote or q
registry list shall be held for msdemeaner-
The 18th section gives the marshal power to call
ion 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 fol
troops and vessels of war without delay. Prcvi
sion is made for the transfer of any suit brought
by an aggrieved citizen against Federal Office,
FROM STATE court TO the United States Circuit
Court and to render the Judgment of State
court in such case null and void. Sections {
and of the act of last session to amend the nat
uralization laws and to pun h crime against tn,
same, are repealed by this bill, though such re
peel is not to affect pending suits. 1t will be no
ticed that this supplemental measure is more
stringent in its details and fines and penalties
than the enforcement act or federal election law
of last session,