The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-09-15
THE COMING ELECTIONS.
Instructions from the Attorpey-s.eneral
10 the United states MarshRls Ia Re-
gard 90 the Federal supervision Of
Elections.

gard 60 the Federal supervision Of
Elections.
WASHINGTON, Sept. THE following
are the instructions from the AttOrney-Gen-
eral 10 the United States Marshals regarding
the coming elections. \ copy Will be sent
10 each United States Marshal throughout
the country:
SIR. The laws OF the United states having
made Il my duty TO exercise general direction
over Marshals AS Ia the manner of dlscharging
their offices, have prepared for their use THIS
circular letter of Instructions as 10 the coming
elections, intending the same also as reply 10
the numerous applications IN like connection
from private citizens IN various states.
In the present condition of legislation the
United states occupies a position towards voters
and voting which varies according as the cleo
tion Is for state and other local officers only, or
| for members OF Congress and Presidentlal
Electors. In elections az which members OF the
/ House OF Representatives are chosen, which, by
| law, include elections az which Electors for
| President and Vice President are appointed, the
l United states secure voters against whatever an
| general binders or prevents them from the fun
exercise Of the elective franchise extending that
care alike TO the registration list the act OF
/ and security Of the voter. as well as
against violence ON account Of any vote he
| cause OF any tilat he may already have given.
The peace Of the United states. therefore, which
you are to preserve. and whose violation you
are 10 suppress, protects AMONG Others the rights
D "
who 10y force violates these rights breaks that
/ peace and renders IL your duty 20 arrest him.
and 70 suppress any riots incident thereto or
I that threaten the integrity OF registration or
election, 10 the end that the Will Of the people IN
such election may be ascertained and take effect,
and that the offenders may be brought before the
/ courts for punishment.
Notorious events in several States, which re
4 Gently and in an unusual manner have been pub
licly reprobated, render II the grave duty Of all
/ Marshals who have cause 30 apprehend the vio-
lation Of the peace of the United states, connect
Ell as above with the elections 10 be held on the
Tuesday after the hrst Monday in November
next, % be prepared 10 preserve and l,stoTs
such peace. As chief executive officer
OF the United states, TN your district
you will be held responsible for an
7 breaches of the peace Of the United states.
which diligence on your part might have pre-
I vented, and for the arrest and securing Of all
persons who violate that peace in any OF the
I above points enumerated. Diligence IN these
matters requires OF course that you be ana con
tnue present in person or by deputy at all places
of registration or election al when you nave
reason TO suspect that peace is threatened. anu
shat whenever an embodiment % the posse 60
aifGfus Is required % enforce the law, such EN-
bOdiment Ice present.
You win observe that the special Deputies
mentioned IN section ,u2l Of the Revised sat
utes have peculiar duties lgneu 10 them, du-
ties which do not otherwise belong "a Deputy
MarsAals. Such Special Deputies can Pee ap
pointed only IN cities OF "a. OOU inhabitants or
upward, but the duties assigned o. Marshals and
their deputies hy section - or other Ike stat
utes belong u all duly appointed deputies, wheih
eT they be general or special. W ithln the me q
ing OF that and the preceding section. deputies
70 discharge this latter class % duties may b.
appointed % any number whatever, accordine
20 the discretion Of the Marshal, IN ali states IN
which sheriff. have similar power. section
, Oju has no practical bearing upon this point M
states where no limit Is imposed on the appoint
/, ment OF deputies by sheriff.. because In sucl
states the laws Of the United states, prior 30 the
18th OF June, lss1, left the Marshals alsO IN
limited az % the number Of their deputies.
Ina dischaTging the duties above mentioned YOU
will doubtless receive the countenance and sup
port Of an good citizens % the United states M
your respective districts. 10 De- not necessary OIL
say that is upon such counter nance and sup pori
that the United states mainly rely IN their en-
I CCavor 20 enforce the right o. vote. which they
have given or have secured. ihc present IN
structions are intended only 20 counteract thai
partial malice, wrong heade,iness % tncOnsidcr
alton which sometimes triumphs at critical mo-
n.ents over the conservative and general prevail
ing forces Of society, and 20 which the present
and passing condition Of the country gives more
than ordinary strength. and therefore requires
the Government 10 particularly observe ana pro
, vide against.
In TINS connection advise that you, and Cacl
Of your deputies, general aat special, have
right to summon % your assistance, in prevent
ing and queiling disorder. every person In th'
district above Is years OF age, whatever may Ia
their occupation, whether civilians or not, an,
including the military % All denominations
militia, soldiers and marines, all OF which ar
alike bound % obey you. The fact that they arr
state or United states. under the immediate
command Of their Own officers, does not IN any
wise affect their legal character. They are -til
/ toe posse comifdfus prefer % quote m
above statement OF the laws upon this point iron
AZ opinion by my predecessor, eN- Attorney
c General Gushing, because u thus appears q
- have been well settled for many years. l>e
Opinions, rs, May = loi4.)
e need hardly add there can be no state law
Z state Official IN this country who has jurisdiction
10 oppose you IN discharging your Official dutie
. under the laws " the United states. II such IN
reference should take place. thing not antlci
a pated-you are 10 disregard II entirely. In
g laws Of the nited states are supreme, and 30
= Consequently, IL the action Of the officials OF IN
o Uniteu states in enforcing them. Their
H., as virtually you have already bee
told, no officer Of state whor
: Won NAV not by summons. embOdy into you
I, own posse, and any state posse already embgdie
- by sheriff viii, with such shefin. D
Z obi ged upon your summons % become part q
- the nted Stae- pose and obey you or you
p deputy acting rirfufc e9riO. The resp0nslbilit
I powers and required 10 guard the highest rlgt
- Of citizens, corresponds ia degree with thes
powers and rights, and eNacts Of such on
2 Ger consideration, intelligence and courage
It Is proper To advise you that IN preparin
this circular have considered recent ia portau
. Judgments given by the supreme Court OF u
United states and acts Of Congress which regu
late this general topic. have founded IN
above instructions upon such ~ those acts q . ar
affected by such judgment. ! need in this plac
to add no more than that these judgments 10 NJ
concern Federal elections. lou viii IND ap
J. pended such statutory provisions as
seems important that You and your depuie
y shall In this connection read and consider.
n matters of doubt YOU are, Of course, entitled {
e the advice Of the United states Attorney 70
. your district.
G These instructions have been submitted % IN
= President and have his approval
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