The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1890-06-21
FEDERAL ElECTIuSs.
me Method Lodge Proposes For All
TeTers.


Washington, June I6.-The Nationa
Election bill, as framed by the House
Republican Caucus Committee and in.
trcduced by Representative Lodge, OF
Massachusetts,, has just been printed
1t makes seyenty-six printed pages
and is asserted to be 8 complete Fed,
eral election code, which has the
devoted Informal sanction Of a number
Of Republican Senators. The title
reads: "a bill, to amend and supple
ment the election laws of the United
States and to provide for the more
efficient enforcement of such laws and
for other purposes"
The principle features of the measure,
compendiously stated, are as follows
The chief supervisors of elections in
judicial districts are charged with the
execution of the law which Is to apply
to Federal elections in cities Of 10000
inhabitants or upward, and in the
entire Congressional Districts, exclu-
sive of such cities, upon application to
the supervisor of 100 voters; or in
counties or parishes forming part Of
the Congressional District upon appli-
cation from fifty voters.
The supervisors are to gsard, scru-
tinize and supervise the registration
and every act or incident connected
with the register in the plans for ascer-
tanning who are legal voters. Upon
notice from chief supervisors, the
United States Circuit Courts are re-
quired to open for the purpose Of
transacting registration and election
matters. The supervisors are to be
appointed by circuit courts, three in
each election district or voting pre-
cincts, but two of whom are to be of
the same political party. The super
visors are to attend to all registrations
In their districts, challenge persons,
personally inspect and copy the origi-
nal registration books and papers
attend elections and detect and expose,
improper or wrongful manipulation of
the lists.
In the case of failure of total cleo
tion the officers are to put the statutory
oath to the challenged voter. aud to
pass at once upon his qualifications; !;
then the supervisors are to apply the
test and receive and deposit the vote,
making list of all such challenges.
They are also to personally inspect the
ballot boxes before elections, keep in-
dependent ballot lists, and enclose
rejecter votes indorsed with the name
of the vote, in envelopes. In addition
to these duties, the supervisors are re-
quired to make, in towns of 10000
people and upwards, thorough house
to house canvass before election, to in
form the voters, upon inquiry, where
and In what box to deposit their bal
lots, and to scrutinize naturalization.
In canvassing the votes the State laws
are to govern, except that all ballots
are to be counted by tens, first by au
inspector of the election, aud second by
a supervisor, keeping separate tally
sheets, which are to be compared and
the result publicly announced.
Ballots deposited in tho wrong box
are to be counted. The returns are to
be made by the supervisors in dupli-
cate 10 clerks Of the United States
circuit courts and to the chief super
visor, who Is to tabulate and refer
them to the United States Board Of
Canvassers Of the Congressional vote,
which Is to bo appointed by the United
States Circuit Court, and consisting of
three citizens of the State and persons
Of good repute, not more than two of
whom are to be of the same political
party. The Board Is to convene on
November 10 each even year, and Is to
declare aud certify the result of the
election, and send one return to the
House of Representatives, one to the
Governor of the State and one to the
proper chief supervisor of elections.
The Clerk of the House is to place
upon the roll OF msmbers-elect the
names of persons declared elected by
the United States canvassers.
In case there Is difference In the
result reached by them and State cleo
tion officers penalty of between
81 900 and $4,000 is provided in case
the clerk neglects this duty.
All ballot boxes are to be clearly
inscribed with Its nature and the boxes
are to be kept in plain sight and open
to inspection. Bribery or attempted
bribery of voters or election officers Is
made punishable by fine of not more
than $4,000 or Imprisonment for not
moro than five years, or both. Like
severe penalties are provided for false
registration and voting, repeating, the
coercion of supervisors or voters, Inn
proper conduct of election officers,
false canvasslng, ballot box stuffing,
fraudulent ballot distribution, resist
ance to supervisors lawful commands,
breach of the peace at registration or
election, intimidation and almost every
known kind Of election fraud.