Evening journal., 1892-11-02
ELECTION DUTIES DEFINED.
Attorney General Miller Sends Instruc
tiOns To Supervisors and Marshais.


Attorney General Miller Sends Instruc-
tions To Supervisors and Marshais.
[By Telegraph 10 the Evening Journsl.l
WAsHIEGTON, ID. c., Nov. 2.-Attorney-
General Miller has issued circular to
supervisors of elections, marshals and
attorneys Of the United States in regard
to their duties at the coming election
After quoting the instructions given
to Attorney General Garland by Presi-
dent Cleveland on October D. 1885, Mr.,
Miller quotes from decision in a Balti-
more election case TO show that in max
ing regulations for the elections ofrepre-
sentatives, IL is not necessary that Con-
gress should assume entire and absolute
control thereof; but Congress has a
supervisory power in the exercise Of
which new duties may be imposed on the
officers of election, additional penalties
prescribed for the perpetration Of fraud,
and officers appointed 10 prevent fraud
and see that the elections are legally and
fairly conducted.
The attorney general then reminds the
supervisors that IL Is their duty to be
present on the days of registration and
election day in their respective election
districts or voting precincts, TO take oc-
cupy and remain in such position,
whether before or behind the ballot. boxes,
as will in their Judgment best enable
them to see each person offering himself
for registration or offering to vote, and
as will best conduce 70 their scruinizinp
the names in which the registration OF
voting is being conducted. At the clos
| t,.s~ .F l.u Ill AZ IA lI arr
pervisors are to place themselves in sucl
position in relation 10 the ballot boxes
as will enable them 20 fully perform tn,
duties in respect TO such canvasses anC
shall there remain until the canvass, Ger
tifcates, returns and statements ar,
wholly completed.
The marshal and his general ant
speci al deputies are directed 20 preserve
order at the polls. support and protect
the supervisors of election, preven
fraudulent voting or fraudulent conduct
on the part Of any officer of election ans
arrest with OF without process any per
son who commits, or offers 20 commit
any offense against the United States
statutes providing for the election OF
representatives in congress, provided
such offense is committed or attempted
in the presence of the United State
officials.
In conclusion the attorney genera
says:
1.-The duty and the authority Of tn
supervisors and the deputy marshals i
the premises are too plain TO be mis-
understood. Bearing in mind alway
that they are officers of the peace as wei
as officers Of the election and neve
forgetting that where the state statut
! conflicts with the statute of the Unite
States touching the election the nations
statute is paramount and must b
obeyed, these officers should 60 forwar
quietly, but resolutely, in the discharg
of their duties, without fear or favoi
% but with determination so far as in theI
/" lies, under the law TO see that there is a
I honest, free and fair election and fai
2 return and canvass Of the votes. So dil
charging their duties it is certain tbs
they will not be resisted by any goo
citizen and IL is not believed that wit
the support of good citize s such resis
{ ance will be made by any one.