The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-04
D Nty United States Marshals Will
% SO License From the At
sgpey General.
-
VIII Ex~ *cEvil Influence
for til II Har-
(
Desperate Resort OF Badly Beaten Party
to Keep ltself in omos-Force
Bill Assumed.

WARRINGTON, Nov. 3.--Aeting Attorney
General Aldrioh. in a statement touching
the authority Of United States deputy mar
shals to supervise elections, says all per-
sons who attempt to interfere with them
will bring themselves within the scope OF
the federal statutes. regardless of whether
they are acting under any state or munioi-
pal law. In view of this fact he says he
does not believe anybody will attempt to
interfere with them, but any such inter
ference will be vigorously prosecuted.
The statement says the attention of the
department has been called to the matter
through certain alleged instructions to po-
lice and state officers in Alabama, Arkansas
and New York with reference to their con-
duct towards United States marshals at the
polls. II declares the marshals will be there
as peace officers. instructed not to allow
discrimination for or against either party.
but to secure an honest vote and fair
count.
An honest ballot and a fair count is what
the law was designed to provide. and its
constitutionality has been 30 strongly up.
held and the paramount power of the fed
eral government SO clearly asserted by the
supreme court. that il would be idle to dis
cuss that question. The idea that the
United States is NOS as much an object OF
the peoples love and patriotism as any
state is utterly misohievous. although i'm
piled in the circulars referred to. peace
officer of the United States who seeks to
prevent illegal voting no more invades the
rights of American citizen than does a
peace officer of the state.
1t denies the doctrine of the suprem-
aoy of the state over the United States in
the matter of elections and says the i'm
preston that the federal governments Is
foreign power should be obliterated. IL
says the statement thas section 2O21 is the
only section authorizing the appointment
of deputy MAJ shals. and that therefore suoh
appointment can only be made in cities of
20, 600 and upwards, is not the view held by
the attorney general or himself. Nor has
such view been held by previous attorney
generals.
The question whether deputy marshals
have the right to be within the guard rail
Of polling places 10 answered In the attorney
generals circular of Oct. 81. 1899, in the
affirmative. AS will be observed. section
5522, revised statutes prescribes a penalty
of imprisonment and fine against any per-
son who with or without authority of any
state or municipality, interferss with or
prevents the marshal or general or special
deputies, from the performance of any duty,
or hinders or prevents the full and free
access and egress to and from any such
places of registration or pell of election,
to or from any room where any guch regis
tration or election or canvass of votes may
be had.
The statutes are so clear and explicit
that really cannot see any room for dis
cussion. ! do not believe any attempt will
revo! utionary and dangerous policy an
nounced in the dispatches referred to. If
such action is attempted. of course t:ouble
alties against any deputy who fails to do
his duty. such results all good citizens.
irrespective of party. should deplors and
the consequences would fall upon those
whose rash course led to such an unwar-
ranted resistance to the power of the fed
eral government. power which the an-
preme cou of the United States has de-
clared paramount when q member of con-
gress or a presidential elector ia to be voted
for, to any state law or athority upon this
subject.
II will add that this ia not partisan
question and they are not good citizens in
my opinion who seek to make it one. No
party can justly hope to deserve or win sue
cess by defiance or violation of the laws of
the land. However that may be, our duty
is plain. he laws must be enforced.
Marshals are warned under penalties of the
law against any Interference with the rights
of citizens and at the same time they will
guard and protect such rights at whatever
cost"