Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-07-14
Ihc Force Bill.


The following is the substance of the
bill which failed in 1890, but which
would be revived if the republicans win
next fall.
The principal features of the measure
are as follows: Chief supervisors of
elections in judicial districts are charg-
ed with the execution of the law, which
is TO apply to federal elections in cities
of 20, 1000 inhabitants and upward, and
in entire Congressional districts, eXclu-
sive ofsuch cities, upon application to
the supervisor of 100 voters, or in coun-
ties and parishes forming part of a
Congressional district upon application
from fifty voters. The supervisors are
to guard, scrutinize, and supervise reg
istration and every act or incident con-
nected with registration and plans for
ascertaining who are legal voters.
Upon notice from the chief supervisors
The United States circuit courts are re-
quired TO open for the purpose of trans
acting registration and election mat
tcrs.
The supervisors are to be appointed
by the circuit courts-three in each cleo
ton district or voting precinct, only
two Of whom are TO be Of the same po-
litical party. These supervisors are to
attend all registrations in their dis
tricts, challenge persons, personally in
spect and copy the original registration
books and papers, attend elections and
detect and expose the improper
or wrongful manipulation of the lists.
In case Of failure of local election
officers to put the statutory oath to
challenged voter, and to pass at once
upon bis qualifications, then the super
visors are TO apply the test and receive
and deposit the vote, making list Of
all such challenges. They are also TO
personally inspect ballot boxes before
elections, keep independent poll lists,
and enclose rejected votes endorsed
with the name of the voter in envel-
opes. In addition to these duties, the
supervisors are required to make-in
towns of 10000 people and upward q
thorough house-to-house canvass before
election, to inform voters upon inquiry
where and in what box TO deposit
their ballots, and to scrutinize naturali-
cations.
In canyassing the votes the State
laws are to govern, except that all ballots
are 10 be counted by tens, first by an
inspector of election and second by a
supervisor. the local election officers
and the supervisors keeping separate
tally sheets, which are to be compared
and the result publicly announced.
Ballots deposited in the wrong box are
to be counted. Returns are to be made
by the supervisors in duplicate to the
clerks of the United States circuit
courts and to the chief supervisor, who
is to tabulatc and refer them to the
United States board of canvassers of
the congressional vote, which is to be
appointed by the United States circuit
court, and consisting of three citizens OF
the State and persons of good repute, not
more than two ofwhom are to be Oft the
same political party. The board is to convene
on November 10 each even year, and Is to
declare and certify the result of the election,
and send one return TO the clerk of 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 members-elect the
names of the persons declared elected by the
| United States clnvasselS, III case there Is
difference in the result reached by them and
by the State election officers. A penalty of
between 81 900 and $1,000 is provided in
case the clerk neglects this duty.
All ballot boxes are to be clearly inscribed
with their nature, and boxes are to be kept
in plain sight and open to inspection. Bribery
or attempted bribery of voters or election Off
GERS is made punishable by fine OF not more
than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more
than five years or both. Like severe penal
ties are provided for false registration and
voting repeating, coercion of supervisors
or voters. improper conduct of election Off
GERS false canvassing, ballot-box stuffing,
fraudulent ballot distribution, resistance to a
supervisors lawful command breach of the
peace at registration or election intimidation,
and almost every kind Of election fraud.
4 QUEER little man kent an alphabet shop,