Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-04

eral supervisors OF elections OF this Stale
have received from the cfiice of the chief
supervisor ..of elections instructions 10
their conduct on next Thursday, of which L
give you an abstract:
You will provide yourself with blank book
large enough TO contain the names of ali the voters
at your poll and nave the same numbered in adj
vance. AS each voter presents himself you will
write his name opposite a number on the book,
aud you Will note whether he votes or is rejected.
You will keep tally OF the count in the same
book, and You will return said book TO me with
your report You will take your position inside
the voting place, SO that you can witness all
the proceedings OF the election, and you
will remain in such position will best enable
yon to see each person offering to vote and will
best enable you to scruiinize the manner in which
the voting is being conducted. should you be
hindered in dong so, you Will promptly report
the persons doing You will car fully note that
all the proceedings are in accordance with the
law, that the ballots are promptly received and
placed in toe box, and that other ballots may not
prudently be substituted or placed in the box not
having been voted. and report any fai ure on the
part of the clerk or commissioners TO perform
their duty. You are expressly instructed not TO
permit the ballot-boX To be removed from your
presence at any time. and if any effort is made to
it, and you will demand the arrest OF all persons
who may attempt to interfere with you or prevent
also report the fact to me If the election is
delayed by unnecessary questions to voters, or
by any pretended difficulty in finding the names
of voters on the poll-bOOk. You will notify the
parties offending that ii is violation of the law
ana Will De reported 1Ou VIII especially see that
the returns OF elections are made out and signed
and certified and If any officer refuses to sign and
certify, he must state his objections See that the
ballots arc honestly and correctly counted that |
the returns OF the result are correctly made out;
that the ballots, aft being counted, returned
to the box, and that the statement OF the result OF
the poll aud the full tslly-list of the voters and
the ballot-boxes and ballots are delivered TO the
Commissioner of election, and you will not lose |
sight of the same until this is accom- plshed; and |
two or more OF the supervisors must remain with |
the boxes until recounted by the commissioner at |
the county site You will make faithful report |
of the votes cast for members of Congress upon |
the blank furnished. Every violation OF the cleo
tiOn laws by the officers thereof, whether national
or State, is violation OF the Laws of the |
United States iii an election where mem
bers of Congress are voted for, and |
occur Shoulu any person not officers OF election |
attempt to hinder or intimidate voters, ate
any disturbance, or prevent the counting or re-
turning of the votes, you will note and report the
same No superyiSor while i'm tie nerformance of |
any duty auihSriZed by the law of the United /
States, will allow himself to be interfered with,
State authority whatever. Ne is amenable to the
United States authority only. No supervisor
should be deferred by threats violence from q
faithful performance of the duty which he is en-
Titled to, and will receive from the national au-
Lhorities ample support and protection. While |
firm iu his outies-ha should do nothing offensive,
but try TO r,serve the elSction with Justice
Toward all parties. You VIII make a sworn re-
port within ten days after the election While /
you shall perform your official duties with de-
cision you shall have, il possible, cordial and har-
visor and with the State officers. You are not |
peace officers, but witnesses placed by the gov
over the ballot-bOx TO see and report if |
Lhe law, State and national, is faithfully enforced
without favor and with equal justice to all.
The instructions are sigued by o. Davis,
chief supervisor of elections for the North
,rn District Of Mississippi.