The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-11-08
Instructions OF Federal Election
Supervisors for Mississippi.
Special to the Appeal

Special to the Appeal.
You viii provide yourself with blank
book large enough to contain the names of
all the voters at your poll, and have the
same numbered IN advance. As each voter
presents himself You will write his name
opposite number on the book, and you will
note whether he votes or is rejected. You
will keep tally OF the count in the same
book, and you viii return said book to me
with your report. You will take your posi-
ton inside the voting place, so that YOU can
witness all the proceedings OF the election,
and you will remain in such position as will
best enable you to see each person offering to
vote and will best enable you to scrutinize
the msnner in which the voting is being con-
Quoted. Should yau be hiadered in doing
so, You will promptly report the persons
doing SO. You will carefully note that all
the proceedings are in accordance with the
law, that the ballots are promptly received
and placed III the box and that other ballots
may not privately be substituted or placed
in the box not having been voted, and re-
port any failure 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
st any time, and if any effort is made to re-
move it, You must follow and remain with
it, and You will demand the arrest of all
persons who may attempt to interfere with
you or prevent your being at all times
present with the boxes; also report the fact
to me if the election is delayed by unneces-
sary questions to voters, or by any pretended
difficulty in finding the names of voters on
the poll-book. You viii notify the parties
offending that it is violation of the law,
and will "a PnTN0rtad will soli ~,
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 are
honestly and correctly counted; that the |
returns of the result are correctly made out
that the ballots, after being counted, are re-
turned to the box, and that the statement of |
the result of the poll and the full tally-list |
OF the voters and the ballot-boxes and bal |
lots are delivered to the commissioner of |
election, and you will not lose sight of the I
same until this is accomplished !; and two or
more of the supervisors must remain with |
the boxes until recounted by the commits
sioner at the county site. You will make
faithful report OF the votes cast for the
members of Congress upon the blank fur
nlshed. Every violation of the election
laws by the officers thereof, whether national
OF OtaIe, IS q Violation OF the laws OF the
United States in an election where members
of Congress are voted for, and you will re-
port the same, should any occur. Should
any person not officers of election attempt
to hinder or intimidate voters, or create any
or prevent the counting or re-
turning of the votes, you will note and re-
port the same. No supervisor while in the
performance of any duty authorized by the
law of the United States, viii allow himself
to be interfered with, whether such inter-
ference is attempted with any State authori-
ty whatever. He is amenable to the United
States authority only. No supervisor
should BE deferred by threats or. violence
from a faithful performance of the duty
which he is entitled to, and will receive
from the national authorities ample support
and protection. While firm liz his duties he
should do nothing offensive, but try to pre-
serve the election with justice toward all
parties. You will make a sworn report
within ten days after the election. While
you shall perform your official duties with
decision, you shall have, if possible, cordial
and harmonious cooperation from your as
sociate supervisor and with the State officers.
You are not peace officers, but witnesses
placed by the government over the ballot t
box to see and report if the law, State and l
national, is faithfully enforced without favor
and with equal justice to all.