The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-17
Chain ers' Bill.

The following is the full text of CHAL-
MERs' bill entitled, "a Bill to restore
Republican form of government to the
State of Mississippi"
Whereas Congress has the constitu-
| tional right to prescribe the time, place,
and manner of holding elections for its
/ Representatives aud
| Whereas in the State of Mississippi
the appointment of the officers to hold
. the elections is in the power of one pO
iitieai pa.ty. which uses the same so as to
deny to the opposition Ely choice in
their selection, whereby the preparation
OF fraud is made easy; and
Whereas Congress is vitality interested
not only in the election of Representa-
/ tives, but also Of the Senators who are
chosen By State Legislatures: and
Whereas i.ee= b&llof and a fair
count is essential to a Republican form
of government: Therefore TO secure a
fair election and restore to the State of
Mississippi a Republican form of gov
eminent,
] BE 1t enGcted By the Senate and House Of
+. REPRESENTATIVES of the United States Of
! Aniefica u. CoROress assembled, That Rep
resentatives TO The Iiftietl Congress shall
be elected in the State of Mississippi at
the next general election for and on the
Z game ticket with State officers in said
/ state, an4 iigts&ftar said Representa-
/ tives shall be elected at ths same time
and place, on the same ticket, aid il tne
same ballot hax with members Of the
State Legislatures and At said election
the voter shall be permitted to deposit
his own ballot in the box. That the
election shall be conducted by the
Stcte officers and in the manner
prescribed by the State laws, ex-
- "s to the depositing of the ballot
; ip'the box: but a. eupt g,t~'- ''' SA'h
candidate foT Congress shah be peflait-
ted to appoint, in writing, one INSPECTOR
and one clerk at each voting precinct.
who shall be permitted to Wipes ali
| the proceedings of the election and to
remain With the ballot box during any
and all adjournments. And after each
ballot is read aloud by the State inspec-
tor and Tailed by the State clerk it shall
| be passed to the inspectors herein pro
vided for, who shall read aloud the
name of the person voted for as Represen-
tative to Congress; and the clerks here
in provided for shall make a correct
tally-list of such votes and return the
same, duly certified aud sealed. to the
Clerk of the House of Representatives
10 be used as ySdence in case the election
is cantestedi and any inspector CT clerk
herein provided for who shall wilfully
or knowingly violate mis- duty in thi sre-
gard shall be deemed guilty of a crime
and, on conviction thereof in any court
of the United States, shall be fined not
less than FIVE hundred dollars, or i'm
prisoned not less than six months. or
both, at the discretion of the court. Any
person who shall, on the day Of election,
assault, intimidate, threaten, or insult
any OF said inspectors or clerks, or shall
in any manner nse insulting language
with reference to and in the presence of
said inspectors or clerks, on any pretext
or cause whatever shall be deemed gull
ty of crime and, on conviction thereof, |
shall be fined not less than five hundred
dollars and imprisonment not less than |
SIX months; and any person who shall
before or after the day of said election. |
assault, intimidate, or attempt TO intim.
idate, by threats, insulting language or in |
any other manner, any inspector or clerk |
herein provided for with Intent to him |
der or prevent their discharge of their |
duties as such, or shall by any device or |
means whatsoever attempt to prevent
said inspectors or clerks, or any one of
them, from accepting or discharging
their duties as such inspectors or clerks, |
shall be deemed guilty of crime, and, |
on conviction thereof, shall be fined not /
less than five hundred dollars and i'm
prisonment not less than six months;
and in all trials under this act any per-
pctration of the act, shall be prima facie
evidence Of an intent to hinder or pre-
vent such inspector or clerk FIRE the dis
charge of his duty as such.