The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-07-06

Further proceedings IN conducting the Elec-
tiOns, Closing the Polls, Counting the Bal
lots and Making the Returns and Certifi-
Gates thereof.
s 374. In all cities and populous districts,
the polls shall be kept open without adjourn
ment or interinissiOn; but In country or
other sparsely populated districts, when no
voters are waiting at the pol s, all intermis-
sion of one hour may ne had, at or near
noon, and the ballot-boX. locked, may, in
the interval, be left with and kept by one of
the inspectors or registrars, and the Key.
with another, to be retained securely in his
possession, without unlocking, or suffering
the same to be unlocked or interfered with,
until the meeting after the recess; and the
ballot-bOx shall, in no case, be unlocked,
but in the presence of the board OF registra-
ton. or the inspectors; and no hlndling or
tampering with the votes shall be permit
ted, until the same are being counted. No
tice, by proclamation, shall be given half
an hour prior to six O'Clock, r. M, that the
polls will be closed at that time.
5 375. After four O'Clock in the afterncDn
of the election, when no disturbance, or an
CRY or threatening demonstrations appear,
the registrars. or inspectors, may proceed TO
count the ballots, and the clerks 20 note
down, in a legible manner, the names of the
persons baIloted Tor, in a book or paper pre-
viOusly prepared for the purpose, with the
number of ballots received by each candi-
date, for any office open for balloting, check
ing each other in the count, so that no mis-
take shall be made. ANY votes given for
any officer, not at that election to b, ballot
ed for. shall not be counted. The polls shall
be closed by proclamation, at six O'Clock,
p. M.
376. The counting, examination and
testing of the votes will be continued, with
an hours intermissiOn, if necessary, for
usual refreshment until the whole shall be
counted, or until twelve O'Clock. when the
further counting shall be discontinued until
al OH a. NJ m in
all intervals, and any necessary recess, the
ballot box. and all the papers, shall be kept
locked and secure, in the charge, custody
and possession of one of the inspectors or
registrars. who shall not allow any person
to disturb the same (the key being left in
possession of another one of the registrars),
but be responsible for the safe keeping and
production thereof at the proper hour to
continue the counting of the votes; and the
votes shall all be counted on the second day.
377. When the counting shall have been
completed, with careful and accurate addi-
tions and examination, to determine and GER
THY that the result thereof is correct, signed
by said inspectors or registrars and clerks,
the inspectors shall select one of their num-
Der TO return the result with the ballots,
pOll-book and ballOt-boX, and the sheets of
paper upon which the result was.tallied and
computed, to the board of registration, at
the courthouse or county seat, on Thurs
day, or the second day after the election, by
twelve o'clock, noon, when the board ofreg
istration, with their. clerks, shall assemble
to examine and determine the-result of the
election in the county, by transcribing and
computing the returns from the several pre-
cincts or districts therein; and, upon ascer-
tanning. by careful examination and calcu-
latiOn of the proceedings and returns, the
result, it appearing that any candidate for
any Office from the county, or from any dis
trict therein, has plurality or largest num-
Der of votes therein, they shall proceed to
make out q certificate for him therefor, des-
ignating thereon the number of votes polled
tor that office, and for each candidate, and
the plurality of the successful candidate,
and that he is thereby elected to that Office,
and Immediately forward a true copy of all
such returns, certified as to each Office, to be
correct and complete, by the board of regis
tration, or majority thereof, to the secre-
tary of state, by mail, postage paid. When
ever any two or more candidates for any
county or district office therein shall have
an equal and the highest number of votes,
the result shall be determined by lot, by the
board of registration, and certificate there
of made accordingly. A commission shall
be accordingly issued; but the officer elect
may Immediately proceed TO qualify and en-
ter upon his duties, without any delay for
such commission; and his term of Office will
date from such qualification.