Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1876-09-05
A Conference Meeting Of the
Cabinet and Prominent
Officials.
A Circular of Instruction Issued
to United States
Marshals.
The Ballot Mnst be Protected
All Over the south.
WASHINGTON.
CONFERENCE MEETING.

CONFERENCE MEETING.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 4-There was
4 lengthy conference ut the war de
partment this morning previous to
issuing an order to United States
marshals in regard TO the approach
ing elections. Secretaries Cameron,
Robeson and Chandler, Attorney Genx
Eeral Taft, Gen. Sherman, Gov. Cham
berlain aud Senator Patterson, Of
South Carolina, were present. The
object was to take preparatory steps
to carry out order in case of necessi-
", and have full understanding as
to the military giving aid to United
States marshals.
u REGARDING ELECTIONS.
The circular letter OF the attorney
general to United States marshsis,
concerning the protection OF voters
in the coming election says:
In the present condition Of legisla
tion the United States occupy aposi,
tion toward voters and voting which
varies according as elections arc for
state and local officers or for con
gressmen and presidential electors.
Election Of representatives includes
election of electors to vote for presi
dent of the Unite States. To secure
voters against whatever in general
prevents full exercise Of the elective
franchise, whether it be registration
or theeactual casting of a ballot, and
Ito protect the voter against violence
ION account Of vote cast or to be
cast, the United States, therefore, de-
mands that marshals prevent viola
tions Of the peace. Whoever violates
the rights Of voters breaks the peace,
and makes II the duty of the marshal
to arrest him. To suppress riots that
threatens the integrity Of registration
is also their duty, that the will Of the
people may prevail and offenders be
legally punished Notorious events
in several states, which recently have
been publicly reprobated, render i.
the grave duty Of all marshals who
have cause e apprehead = violation
Of the peace connected with the cleo
,tions Of the Tuesday after the first
Monday in November to prepare te
preserve and restore such peace. The
letter notifies msIshals that they will
be held responsible for breaches o.
the peace OF the United States which
diligence on their part might have
prevented, and for the arrest of the
i, violAtors Of the peace, it Asks ths
marshals be personally present or b,
deputy at al places of registratio,
or elections, where they may suspec
that the peace is threatened
Wherever special deputies be required
to enforce the law, it is noticed tina
3 fAhey can be appointed in cities Q
!. awenty thousand or more inhabitants
under tho revised statutes, sectio
2011, but duties assigned to marshal
II . znda their deputies by section -2022 O
other like statutes, belong to all dul,
a appointed deputies, general or special
q Such deputies may be appointed I
any number, according to the discre
E ,tion Of the marshal. In states wher
al ahesiGs have similar power, seetio
2O30 has no practical bearing. In .h
= discharge of such duties, the lette
i says, ali good citizens viii doubles
countenance and support them in di,
\, charging these-duties, And on sue
support the Gaited States mxniy re
II ly for the right - vote which the
\ have given oe sess,red.
These inssfuqtions eap intende
only to couatsr 40 that artisls malic
], ,wrong-head dna or ineonsideratio
r Which arise sometimes 1t cSftical mt
e ments over conservative and prevailin
- ruDs 6 s6siety. A ~
i euF avises ,h.t esoh deps.
e ms shsf s SpeeiAI hsse DE right
e summon assistance for quelling di
J. orders, Of every person in the distri
'o above Gfteea ye>s Of age, whelh'
IN civilian or not, including militia, sc
g diers or m4rises, sit of whom =
60 e. bound to obey. TIE fact Chat the
- are organized Is military bodies
IN the. ii sts1 d he UAited States, q
- under the immediate command
- = their own onhoers, does not affect fhe
5 illegal eharacter--they are still u
posse comitaA4s He quotes from Il
ac ,.,' opinioa OF Aisgpsedssessor, Attorn.
a tGencral Gushing, TO show this "