Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1892-11-07
HERE is THE LAW.
To THE ELECTION OFFICERS OF THE
STATE OF ARKANSAS.


In order that there may be no ms
understanding as to your duties at the
ensuing election, we have thought
proper to publish this circular letter,
There will be supervisors appointed
by the Federal Court at nearly all the
voting precincts in the state, and they
have certain duties to perform, which
should be respected by the judges and
clerks. Their duties may be summed
up as follows:
They have a right to challenge any
vote offered by any person whose le-
gal qualifications may be doubted.
They have the right to be and remain
where the ballot box is kept at all
times after the polls are opened until
the election is closed, and the canvass
or count of the vote is made by the
officers and the certificates made
They have a right to scrutinize the
manner in which the voting is DONE
the manner in which the poll books
are kept, to scrutinize, count and can
vass each ballot. They have a right
to occupy any place they wish before
or behind the ballot box, in order to
see each person offering himself to
vote, and to sCrutinize the manner of
conducting the election, In other
words, the supervisor has the right to
see and know everything that trans
pires between the voter and the
judges, so far as the election of Con-
gressmen is concerned.
He has no right to suggest to any
voter as to how he shall or shall not
vote. In fact he has no right to say
or suggest anything to the voter, ex-
cept to ask him questions touching
his qualifications to vote if he should
be challenged. And although the SUI
pervisors may challenge vote, yet If
in the opinion of the judges Of cleo
ton or majority of them he is quail
flied voter under the Constitution and
laws Of the State, it will be their duty
to allow him to vote Notwithstanding
the protest of the supervisor
1t is said that United States Deputy
Marshals will be appointed to appear
at the various polling precincts in this
State and take charge Of the elections.
There is no authority in the Federal
Statutes which authorizes this, except
in cities Of 10000 or more inhabitants,
Hence the only place in Arkansas where
Deputy Marshals can be appointed is
in the city of Little Rock, it being the
only city in The State with as many as
10000 inhabitants.
Therefore if any Deputy United
States Marshal should be appointed any
where except in Little Rock, it would
be without authority or law, and it
will be the duty Of peace officers Of
the county to uphold and maintain
the State law in keeping the peace at
the voting precincts, and Deputy
Marshal can exercise no more author
ity at the election prencinct or polling
place than any other citizen.
If they should undertake to take
charge of the voting precinct or booth,
or attempt officially to do anything in
controlling or influencing the election,
or violate in any manner the State
Statutes, they should be arrested by
the sheriff whose duty it is to preserve
the peace at the election precincts and
see that a fair expression Of the will
Of the people is had.
In the exercise Of the duties and
functions, which the law, both State
and Federal, imposes upon you, the
greatest caution should be preserved
to do nothing rashly or outside Of the
law, and special pains should be taken
to prevent any disturbance or breach Of
the peace. At the same time no wlllful
violation of the law by parties acting
under the assumed authority Of the
United States Marshal should be toler-
ated. Very respectfully,
L. NJ. ROSE,
j, NJ. MOORE,
4 w IIoTCE