The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-05

On pages S52-35s, Title 20, Revised
Code of the United States ar, iound the
regulations surrounding election super.
visors and their duties. From them the
following is compilcdi
"Federal election laws require, upon the
application OF any two citizens, in cities OF
over 10000 inhabitants, that the Circuit
Court OF the United States shall appoint
two supervisors for each election precinct
which has been done for next Tuesday.
These supervisors are required 10 attend
the election and the counting OF the votes,
and either may challenge any person who
they believe IL not authorized 10 vote.
They may also inspect the manner in
which the voting is done and the method
in which the poll books and tally sheets
are kept. They are required personally to
scruinizc and canvass each ballot aud 30
make aud forward TO tho Chief Supervisor
OF election such certificate and returns M
he (the Chief Supervisory may direct. and
attach any statement touching the truth
or fairness Of the election which they may
desire TO make, or which should properly
and honestly be made in order that tho
facts may become known.
Their position before or behind the bal
lot box is guaranteed To them 80 they can
fully perform the duties required OF them
in scrulinizng the vote and the canvass OF
the ballots.
II they are molested in the discharge Of
their duties, and are not allowed to excr.
else them freely without bribery, solic-
itation. interference, hindrancc, molcsta.
ton, violence OF threats thereof ON the
part OF any person" they shall make
prompt report OF the same within ten days
10 the Chief Supervisor, who is TO inycsii-
gate the facts by nm examination Of wit
n,sscs upon oath and make a report 10
Congress.
The United States Marshal is also an.
thurizcd to appoint in cities OF over 10000
inhabitants, upon the application Of any
two citizens, special deputy marshas for
each polling place, who, among other ~.
QuiCmcnts, shall aid the supervisors in
the discharge OF their duties, 10 protect
them. keep the peace, prevent fraudulent
voting or fraudulent conduct on the part
Of any officer Of election and ''to arrest
and take into custody, with or
without process, any person who
commits or attempts or offers 10 commit
any Of the acts or olensos prohibited
therein, or who commits any OlIcnse
against the United States laws" but ar.
rests without process are forbidden, OK.
Ccpt for oilenscs committed in the pres.
onco OF the Marshal, his deputies or
supervisors Of election. or either Of them,
and in the absence OF the Marshal's dep.
utics the supervisors Of election have the |
same power a. arrest aud preserve the |
peace that the Marshafs deputies have.
Persons arrested under the provisions oi |
The act OF Congress shall be forthwith |
brought before Commissioner. Judge or
he Court II the United States on the al
eyed olcnscs.
The criminal code Of the United States
makes a special provision for the punish.
lcnt OF any Supervisor ar deputy who
eglccis ar refuses 10 perform his duty
y imprisonment or fine or both. I
ny person who intcricres with tho
supervisors or Marshal or his
uty. or who hindcrs or prevents the free
Tendance Of the Supervisor or the Mar.
hal or his deputies at the election or nt
he cnnyassing uf the votes. or who ~
lscs 10 assist the Supervisor OF the Mar
bal In the performance Of their duty ,
ball be subject 10 instant arrest without
he'd 10y fine or imprisonment or both.
Other provisions of the Criminal Code
unishos no crimes against the Govern
lout all Illegal voting aud fraudulent con. ,
uct NJ the polls. Obstruction OF voters,
raudulcnt returns and canvas Of ballots. |
lso, all threats, intimidaiions, bribery. oi.
ering rewards ur other unlawful means 60
influence voters or prevent n fair election,
are punishable 10y fine or imprisonment,
or both.
Every officer nj the election appointed
by the state authorities, Who ncglorts his
duty ns required by thc State law, or who /
commits any o1cnsc against the laws of /
The State. intending 60 s'curr an unfair
election, count and rcturn u, the same act
az conduct which b. not ia accurlnnce with /
The State law, commits an ohcnso nrlinst
The United states, tot which, upon cunVic.
ton, hc b. punishable 10y a line OF impfis-
onmcnt, or both
ANY citizen " voior guilty Of any II the
above oHcuscs arr also amcnablu 20 Tie
United States law
The Circuit Judr,' or any district iudee
designated by him is required 90 open the
Circuit Count ten DAYS before the election 1
aud keep d open one day ulIri the cloc.
ton lot the Transaction II business. under
The act OF Congress Tho court at Mem
phls b now upvu t1r that purpUs'.
The Ctcuit Court has nothing % 10 /
With the appointment oi deputy mar /
thnls, that authority b,iug solely vested
in The Marshal.
lur Atrial docs not know whether
any. application has been made to Mar.
elm Nancry TO appoint dvpul,s az not
, wv. 'i'y .'li,ha viii act upon thc uppIira
u-u uL amy two rIIIL.n.-