The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1892-07-21
THE FORCE BILL.
A SYNOPSIS OF THE MEASURE.

"a
In answer to many requests we
reprint the following from the New
York Sun OF June 18th, 1890. It
gives the substance Of the Federal
Election or Force Bill passed by the
Republican House in the Fifty-frst
Congress. The bill as reported
made seventy-six printed pages:
The principal features of the measure
are as follows Chief Supervisors of
Elections in judicisl districts are charged
with the execution Of the law, which is to
apply to Federal elections in cities of 90.
600 inhabitants and upward, and in entire
Congressional districts, exclusive of such
cities, upon application to the supervisor
of 100 voters, or in counties and parishes
forming part Of a Congressional district
upon application from fifty voters. The
supervisors are to guard, scrutinize, and
supervise registration and every act or
incident connected with registration and
plans for ascertaining who are legal voters
Upon notice from the Chief Supervisors
the United States Circnit Court are requir
ed to open for the purpose Of transacting
registration and election matters.
The supervisors are to be appointed by
the Circuit Courts-three in each election
district or voting precincts, only two of
whom are TO be of the same political party.
These supervisors are to attend all regis
istrations in their districts, challenge per-
sons, personally inspect and copy tho
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 elecs
ton officers to put the statutory oath to
challenged voter and to pass at once upon
his qualifications. Their the supervisors are
to apply the test and receive and deposit
| the vote, making a list as all such chal-
lenges They are also to personally inN
| spect ballot boxes before elections, keep
independent poll lists, and enclose rejected
votes endorsed with the name of the voter
in envelopes In addition to these duties
the supervisors are required to make-in
towns of 10000 people and upward-a
thorough house.tohouse canvass before
election, to inform voters upon inquiry
where and in what box to. deposit their
ballots, and to scrutinize ADMINISTRATIONS
In canvassing the votes the State laws
are to govern, except: All ballots are tC
be counted by tens, first by an inspector o.
election and second by supervisor, the
local election officers and the supervisors
keeping separate tally sheets, which are t
be compared and the result publicly an
nounced. Ballots deposited in the wronl
box are to be counted. Returns are to b,
made by the supervisors in duplicate t
the clerks of the United States Circui
| Courts and to the Chief Supervisor, who il
to tabulate and refer them to the United
States Board of Canvassers OF the Con
gressional vote, which is to be appointed
by the United States Circuit Court, anC
consisting of three citizens of the Stat,
and persons of good repute, not more thai
| two Of whom are to be of the same 20
litical party. The Board is to convene OF
Nov. 10 each even year, and is to declar,
and certify the result Of the election, anC
send one return to the Clerk of the House
of Representatives, one to the Governor
OF the State, and one TO the proper Chie
Supervisor of Elections. The Clerk oil
the Hcuse is to place upon the roll Of
members elect the names of the persons
declared elected by the United States cam
vassers, in case there is difference in the
result reached by them and by the State
election officers. A penalty of between
81 900 and $4,000 is provided in case the
Clerk neglects his duty.
All ballot boxes are to be clearly inn
scribed with their nature, and boxes are to
be kept in plain sight and open to inspec>
ton. Bribery or attempted bribery Of
voters or election officers is made punisha>
BILE by fine of not more than $4,000 or
Imprisonment of not more than FIVE years
or both. Like severe penalties are pro,
vided for false registration and voting re-
peating, coercion of supervisors or voters
improper conduct of election officers, false
canvassing. ballot-box stufing, fraudulent
ballot distribution, resistance to super
viscr's lawful commands, breach OF the
peace at registration or election, intimida'
ton, and almost every kind of election
| fraud