New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-20
FOR FAIR ELECTIONS.
MIR. CLEvEIAND,s INSTRUCTIONS IN 1888.
HE ORDERED ATToRNEY-GENERAL GARLAND TO
TAKE CHARGE OF THE VOTING IN TENNEs-
sEE-HOw FORCE WAS TO BE USED.

TAKE CHARGE OF THE VOTING IN TENNBS-
sEE-How FORCE WAS TO BE USED.
The bueaboo of the Force bill" which the
Democrats are using to attract attention from
the real issues of the campaign will be an utter
failure. As the history of this and similar meas
ures becomes known it is shown that the Repub-
Hcans are not alone in desiring that there should
be some power TO watch over the Federal cleo
tions in certain parts Of the country. and to see
that they are conducted fairly. Long before the
bill which the Democrats term the |" Force bill
was thought of, Mr. Cleveland who was then the
President of the United States, wrote to the
Attorney General, Mr.. Garland under date OF
October 8, SSs, follows:
Dear Sir You are hereby requested TO take gen
eral charge and direction of the execution OF me
statutes OF the United states touching the appoint
Inarshas, and the performance OF their duties, and
their compensation, far as these subjects are oS
the Constitution and laws under the supervision ana
control Of the executive branch of the Governments
Yours truly. GROVER CLEVELAND.
Immediately afterward this letter was sent by
Attorney General Garand to S. F. Wilson. United
States Marshal at Nashville, Tenn:
sir: In pursuance of letter Of the 9th inst.
from the President, directing the Attorney General TO
take charge OF the "appolntment of special deputy
compensation, together with the compensation OF SUI
pervsore,' Mt the Congressional election In November
next your attention Is directed TO NE proviSlonS OF
statitas Under sections 2Oe2 ana 2Oa4 Revised
supervsors preserve order, prevent frauds and on
force the law in of twenty thousand Inhabitants
You should make yourself familiar With the statutes
IefeIred to and see that they are nndeso SS MIN w
the importance Of an honest franchise. ,
and yeTr deputies is largely lit 70 Your discretion.
In matters Involving questions Ct law YOU are oi,e @ H@
district for needed Information and advice. 1t Is as
sumed that the duties can lie performed without III,
sag s Ss s the rights nG S Of e sy sSm. me IN e@
any unnecessary display Of authority.
uashals viii receive condensation for more than fve
days service. and they sheuld be 50 Informed With
this time all can can be done MN Is foasn as
workers, and no others.
Some instructions about the method of pay
mcnt of these deputies follow, and the Attorney
General then says that upon payment being com
plet~d the accounts should bc approved by the
court and forwarded to his department for action
under the Executive order mentioned.
Mr. Cleveand's letter was dated October o.
The instructions issued in accordance with that
letter. and presumably by reason of the lnterme-
date instructions from the Attorney General to
Marshal Wilson, appear to have been dated tie
9Th The process of providing for Democratic
Guardianship over the polls in Tennessee seems to
have been conducted with the utmost %lefity'
Mr. Wilson issued general instructions to deputies
on the psoring of election day. ordering them " 10
aid and assist supervisors OF the election in tie
verfcation of the lists Of persons voting at dh-
ferent places: to keep the peace and protect the
supervisors: to preserve order; 10 prevent fraud
uent voting or fraudulent or Illegal conduct on
the part of any officer of election Legitimate ar
gumcnt and persuasion are proper to induce voters
10 vote for one or another Gloss of candidates All
distractions or hindrances by one person or sct
of persons, interposed In the way Of another per-
son or set of persons voting as their choice dic-
tates is a violation of Federal law And any
person OF persons" he said, guilty. OF this onence
In your presence you will arrest at once without
warrant you will arrest persons without a
warrant therefor properly sworn out, unless the
pnrsons commit violation Of law in your pres
rnce or in the presence Of supervisors who, In
that event. Will have TO report and Identity the
PARTY TO yon. II any resist or attempt to IN
timidate YOU in the discharge Of your duties or
attempt to intimidate the supervisors in the dls
charge of their duties you authority tc arrest
them So, 4, A.,
Instructions as to what should be done with the
arrested persons follow, and Mr.. Wilson closes
his communication thus: III,
AT have appointed you believing that You Will
he conscientious in the performance Of your duties
and / shall expect and exact conduct and deport-
ment in conformity with the belief"