The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1873-11-08

places where elections have been heid
since the law went into effect? And
Is II not still Of much importance In
It's effects upon the morals Of our coun-
try that everybody should read and
understand the law, especially those
who have the right TO vote?
Tho cry for years has been, "loul
elections" "corrlpt conduct" and
control Of same, and the pablo mind
has been heavily Swallowed by tho be-"
lief and fear that wo could never again
have IA fair and unbiased expression
of the people, But thanks 10 Judge
Smith, who, with dignity, good judg'
ment and u pure heart, sat upon the
Supreme bench IN 1867 and In the
Legislature of 1873, we have the best
election law tho state has ever had
This able, true and good man Is lost TO
Texas, having died few weeks ago OF
yellow fever. This one net (the election
law will cause his memory to be
warmly cherished in the hearts OF the
good people Of the State. would ask
you to publish for the information OF
the people, scctlons27 and3l rs follows,
viz:
SEC. q. That during the entire day
of any election In this State for munici-
pal, county, district or State officers, II
shall be unlawful for any bar room,
saloon or other place, house or cstab-
lishment, where vinous, malt, spirit
uous or Intoxicating liquors are sold, to
be open, but the same shall be closed
by any sheriff or constable of the
county, or by any constable whose
special appointment Is provided for n.y.
this act, on the order of the Judges OF
the election and 1t shall be unlawful
for any person, or persons, or firm, TO
sell, barter or give away any Vlnous,
spirituous, malt or Intoxicating liquor
within tho limits of the county within
which such election Is being held during
the day thereof. And any person vio-
lating any provision of this section
shall, for each oilense, be guilty of II
misdemeanor and subject TO indict-
ment, and may be fined In any sum
not less than one hundred dollars
nor more than five hundred dol
lars for each oflense; W0mded,
nothing herein contained shall prevent
the sale of liquor at any drug store or
establishment where drugs are sold, for
medicinal purposes, on the prescription
of practicing physician, nor to the
sale OF liquor by regular wholesale
merchants to be shipped or sent on of
the county; and prouided GTther, that
nothing herein contained shall prevent
stores from being opened for the sale
of other goods, wares, and merchan-
disc.
SEC. 81. That any person who shall
vote, or attempt to vote more than
once at the same election, shall be
deemed guilty of n felony, and, on con-
viction, shall be confined in the peni-
Tertiary not less than two nor more
than five years. Any person who shall
disturb any election by melting or en-
c0uraging II tumult or II mob, or shall
cause any disturbance in the vicinity
of any poll or voting place; orany per-
son who shall wlllully aid, or abet, or
advise any one not legally qualified in
voting, or attempting to vote at any
election; or any person or persons who
shall, by force or intimidation, obstruct,
or attempt to obstruct, or influence any
voter in his free exercise of the elective
franchise; or any person who may
carry any gun, pistol, bowie knife, or
other dangerous weapon concealed or
unconcealed on any day Of election,
during the hours the polls are open,
within the distance of one-half mile of
any poll or place of voting, shall be
deemed guilty of an ollense, and, on
conviction thereof, shall, for every
such violation, be fined not less than
one hundred nor more than five hum
dred dollars, and may, in addition
thereto, be imprisoned in the county
Jail not exceeding one month.
Here is the true moral standard in
the conduct of elections, andto-day the
good people, not only of Dallas, but Of
every county in the State, can have
peace, quiet and good order and a
free and u fair expression of the
opinions Of voters on all matters refer
red to them. If there are men who
seek to evade this law, and who haul
to the polls their prompted voters and
jugs of rot-gut whiskey, you, yes, you
fellow citizens who have n regard for
moral honesty and purity in govern
mental affairs, can visit condign pun
ishment upon such foul depravity.
1t would no doubt be gratifying to
many to read the entire law from
your paper. Indeed, think the en-
tire press of the State should give it
publicity. Let not n single voter cry
"foulness," when we have the remedy
in our own hands to wipe out or purify
any corruption in elections. All we
want is men with sound, good judg-
ment and strong nerves in the con-
duct of the franchise. And not only
those, but every voter should stand
high on the watchtower of moral hon
esty, and scrutinize closely the wanton
corruption and foul depravity of UNI
scrupulous demagogues. a VOTER.
----
The Democratic party is dead, say
the Radicals. Well, let them think so.
We think that as the American people,