The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-03-23

The following bill was introduced into
the State Legislature by Hon A. ]. Col
born.
An AcT-To regulate the holding of and
to prevent frauds in the primary elections
of the several political parties held in the
tseyeral election districts of this Common
fwealth.
WHEREAS The Democratic, Republican
and other political parties Of this Common
wealth have adopted the plan of holding
primary elections by popular vote to choose
candidates for their respective parties to be
supported at the general and other elections
of this Commonwealth or for the election of
delegates to meet in convention TO make
such nominations, and
| WHEREAS 1t is desired to have all such
elections faithfully, honestly and fairly CON
lucted.
Therefore
SECTION /. BE it enacted by the Senate
and House of Representatives of the Com
monwealth of Pennsylvania in General As
sembly met and it is hereby enacted by the
authority Of the same that from and after
the passage of this act it shall be lawful,
and il is hereby made the duty of all judg-
es, inspectors and clerks of the primary
elections, as aforesaid, before entering upon
the discharge of their duties to seyerally
take and subscribe an oath or affirmation
in the presence of each other, in form as fol-
lows, namely; 81 "a. b. do --- that
| will as judge, inspector or clerk, as the
case may be, at the ensuing election impair
TALLY and faithfully perform my duties in
accordance with the laws and Constitution
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
and the rules and regulations adopted by
the ----- party for the government Of
the said primary elections to the best Of my
judgment. and and ability" The cath or
affirmation shall first be administered to the
judge by one Of the inspectors, then the
judge, so qualified, shall administer the
oath or affirmation to the inspectors and
clerks, or the same may be administered by
a Justice of the Peace.
SECTION q If any judge, inspector or
clerk of q primary election, as aforesaid,
shall presume to act in such capacity before
taking and subscribing the oath or affirma-
ton required by this act, he shall be guilty
of misdemeanor, and on conviction be fin
ed no. exceeding two hundred dollars and
if any judge, inspector or clerk when in the
discharge of his duties as such shall wilful-
ly disregard or violate the provisions ofany
rule duly made for the government of the
primary elections of the party holding such
elections he shall be fined not exceeding
two hundred dollars and if any indse or
Inspector Of primary election, rs aforesaid,
shall knowingly reject the vote of any per-
son entitled to vote under the rules of the
party holding such election, or shall know
ingly receive the vote of any person no.
qualified as aforesaid, lie shall on conviction
&c fined not exceeding two hundred doll
lars and if any judge, Inspector or clerk
of primary election, as aforesaid, shall be
guilty of any wilful fraud in the discharge
of his duties by destroying or defacing bal
lots, adding ballots to the poll o:hcr than
those lawfully voted, by stuffing the ballot
box. by false counting, by making false re-
turns. or by any act, device, or thing, what |
soever, the person SO offending shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and upon convic- |
ton shall be fined not exceeding five hum
dred dollars, or imprisoned not exceeding
one year, or both or either at the discretion |
Of the court.
SECTION 3. All laws or parts Of laws in /.
consistent herewith are hereby repealed.