The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1871-02-24
lcoNnRrssroNAL IMpRRIALIsM.

mucn OF the LNelllu seCAIOH az re-
quired the military authorities to
obey a cali made by United States
Marshal or his deputy, was gagged
through by strictly party vote
This bill is an advance step towards
consolidation and ultimate Imperial
ism. Underits operation, if sub
mitted to by the people, it will be
an easy matter for Grant or who
ever may be designated by tho Rad
ical Congressional Junta as his sue
cessor, to have himself declared
Dictator, King, or Emperor, as suits
his taste, by a popular l'IeblSclte, in
imitation of that great champion Of
universal manhood suffrage, Napo-
leon III.
The bill creates in every Judicial
district in the United States an of.
fee Of great Importance and Of a
novel mixture Of functions. The
official is called the "Chief Super
visor of Elections" and is to derive
his compensation from fees. He is
to have the ordinary powers and
emoluments Of commissioner Of the
Circuit Court of tho United States.
He does not report for instruction to
the Department of Justice, or to the
Executive at all. His powers and
discretions are very great, but he is
not to have any superior officer
He reports only to the House of
Representatives, through its Clerk.
In his capacity as a Commissioner
of the Court he is made practically
independent of judicial restraint, be-
cause it is expressly provided that
this officer shall discharge his duties
$50 long as faithful and capable"
the House being of course, the only
| Judge of his fidelity and competel
cy. This officer is, therefore, in
substance, outside Of every depart
ment, and, consequently, of the Gov
ernment itself, unless he is an officer
of the House of Representatives.
His powers extend to tho virtual
control Of the marshals and deputy
marshals, as we'll as thai of his reg
ular subordinates. These are "su-
pervisors of election" of whom two
may be appointed for every voting
precinct. The Chief Supervisor is
to prepare all instructions for their
direction.
Elaborate powers are given to the
inspectors to inspect at all times on
the day of election the way the vot-
ing is done, and the way the regis
try tally books and lists arc kept,
and to personally scrutinize, count,
and canvass every ballot, whatever
may be the endorsement on said bal
lot, or in whatever box it may be
placed or found, and to forward
their report to chief supervisor
! provided by this act for each Judic-
ial District. Provision is made for
the United States Marshal and a
number OF deputies to protect and
assist the inspectors, and arrest with
out any warrant any one who inter-
feres with the voting or registration
under color of even State or munich
pal law, or who commits any Of the
offences prescribed by this act; no
person, however, is to be arrested |
without process for any offence not |
committed5in the presence of the
marshal or his deputies, or without
process for any offence committed
on the day of registration. But all
those who attempt to interfere in
any way under color Of State or mu-
nicipal authority, shall be deemed
guilty Of a misdemeanor, and pun
ishod by a fine of three thousand dol
lars and Imprisonment of not more
than two years. 1t is further pro-
vided whosever shall, during the
progress of any verification of any
list of the persons who may have
registered or voted, and which shall
be had or made under any of the
provisions of this act, refuse to ans
wer, orrefrain from answering, or
answering, shall give false informa-
ton in respect to any inquiry law
fully made, such person is made La
bic to arrest and Imprisonment as for
a misdemeanor.
Arrests may be made for an infn-
lite variety Of causes, covered by |
general phrases, such as meddling
"by solicitation or otherwise" Gin
manner Interfere , othreaten. or at