Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-01-28
A New Election Law.

We have received copy Of new cleo
ton law drafted by James Alfred Pearce.
Esq, Of Chcsicrtown, which will he sub.
mittcd TO the present session Of the Legis.
lature:
Mr.. Pearce is member of the commit.
tee appointed by the Democratic State
Central Committee last year to draft an
election bill, and has prepared the bill In
accordance with the resolution then pass.
cd. Mr. Pearce explains that his bill Is
modelled on the Reform League bill. which
latter is a modification of the Tilden Elec-
ton law.
The following are the leading features
tfthe bill prepared by Mr.. Pcarce:
II provides in the first place for an cleo.
ton board, to be composed Of three mem.
bcrs, two OF whom are 10 he selected from
the two leading parties. For the city Of
Baltimore this commission Is TO be ap-
pointed by the Governor, and for each
county by the county commissioners. -
These election commissioners are cmpOw.
cred TO appoint judges and clerks of cleo.
ton and registrars Of voters, and to dcsig-
nate places in each precinct for rcgistra.
ton. and the polling places in each
precinct. The commission, Il Is provided,
shall have representative from the lead
Ing minority party, and said member, or
any other mcnahcr of the board, can oh.
jet 10 the appointment of any judge or
clerk named in the majority; and in case
Of such objection the majority members
may name six Others from the party to
which the objec,ing member belongs from
which the vctOing member shall select
Judge or clerk The commission will
take charge Of the registration lists, pro.
vide for the printing and publishing of
them, and perform other important duties
1t is also provided that the election com.
missioncrs, with the States attorney and
the presiding judge ofthe Orphans Court.
shall compose canvassing board, which
shall cast up and make returns of The re.
suits Of ali elections.
The hill also provides for ballot boxes
made Of plate glass, with wooden lid
fastened with brass or iron hinges with u
slit in the lid just large enough To admit u
single ballot. II Is provided that the
judges Of election shall also act Ms regis.
,rarS of voters. The bill provides for new
annual registrations in Baltimore ciiv,an
for new Iuadrcmnial registrations IN the
counirlcs--an entire new rcgist ration tax.
ing place every Presidential wear. Al
elections. the polls are Ia be- open nj six
in the morning and close 10 five in the
evening in the counties. In the city the
polls will CLOSE at four in the ailern0on.-
The registrars Of voters and the Judges
and clerks of elections are hedgcd in with
numerous special provisions in the per.
fOrnancc of their duties. making II ex.
trcmcly difficult for the pcrpet ration Of
any species Of fraud or Justification Of
The ballot. Each political party il allow.
ed n watcher or challenger in the polling
room. along with the election Judges
Numerous possible Oifenscs. pertaining
both Ia the registrations and elcciion are
specified and punislimcnis provided. See.
ton ~ provides: III any person shall BY
force. violence, threats or intimidation, ON
any day Of election, tnkc any ballot from
any voter, or shall by force. violence.
threats or intimidation, as aforesaid. on
any day of election, compel any voter to
submit his ballot TO inspection. he shall
be deemed guilty ola misdemcanor, and
upon conviction thereof shall be punished
by fine Of not less tlan $50 nor more
than 81 900. or by both such fine and i'm.
prisonmcnt in the discretion of the court"
II is provided that each election district,
or war'l. shall I've divided into precincts
containing nli less than three hundred
nor more than five hundred voters.
This makes the third election law to be
presented Ia the Legislature. the others
General Whyte and the Reform League Of
Baltimore ciiy.-Csntrerille Record