New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-03
STJTUY THE ELECTION LAWS.
TANlliANY HALL HAS VIOLATED THE CODE

-,Sy TO COMMIT INSTANTANEOUS. UNLESS ONE
GIVES THE SUBJECT ATTENTION.
some provisions OF the Penal Code particularly ap
,icable at election time appear to be unfamiliar to
o,v OF those interested In the political canvass.
III. LEGISLATURE at Its last session greatly amplihcd
,hat part Of the Penal Code relating TO crimes
csins the election franchise and many acts are now
m,sdemeanors which were not recognized as criminal
nnder former statutes. Tammany Hall, for Instance.
has sen to employees Of the various city departments
letters requesting contributions and addressed to the
rh,ic officers of the city. The section, Al, Of
,hs Penal Code makes 1t msdemcanor not only for
perSon having charge of any building, once or room
occrcd for any purpose Of the State or OF political
snbdiysion thereof to allow any person TO enter lo
the purpose OF collecting an assessment but provides
that any person who "enters remains In any such
.ece buidinc or loom, sends directs any letter
or other writing thereto for the purpose of giving
ro,,ca Of demanding collecting. or. being therein
cves notice Of demands collects receives, any po
H,,cal assessment" Is guilty of a misdcmcanor.
Another section which docs not seem 10 be generally
known is that relating to the duty OF housekeepers in
ewing information concerning the residence OF voters
The advice has even been given publicly that house
boners should refuse to the inquiries of United
s,a,es officials or Others. Tie provision Of the Code
IA quite comprehensive. Section Al reads: Any per
con dwelling In a building In city who wifuy re-
fuses 10 truly answer any question asked by any eector
n such city, between the first meeting OF the Boards o.
Registry therein for any election and the closing OF
the polls a such election. relating to the residence
and qualifications as voter Of any person dwelling
In such building or Of any person who appears upon
the list or register OF voters made BY the Board OF
Registry as residing at such building. is guilty of
misdenc0ngr.'
Otber provisions Furnishing acts which frequently
committed have been inserted. An election oficer who
either reveals to another person the name Of any can
for hO
spother person his opinion. belief impression as to
how the voter has voted may be punished by term OF
Imprisonment OF not less than six months nor more
than one year. The punishment must be inflicted
against found guilty of placing IL mark upon Il
ballot or doing any other act ty which one ballot can
no distinguished from another The law also makes Ii
m~aeneanor for any TO remove any official ballot
from polling place before The closing OF the polls
or to show his ballot after ii is prepared for voting 10
any ne,Sou 50 ms TO reveal the contents. solicit
voter 10 show the same or who does any act III con
recon with the ballot pastcr ballot with tie intent
49,, Nv o"y c,llar person II this part OF the law
is strictly ericced It viii do away With many OF The
stroy the secrecy OF ballot and ascertain bow voters
careless voters VIII lay Themselves open To prosecu
lion unless they reform before election day. Tor IL Is
made msdemeanor for a person TO lai to return 10
The ballot clerk before leaving Tie polling place Or
cnin- outside the guard rail each ballot not voted hN
him Candidates now liable to punishment as ior
misdemeanOr II to aid Ia tL'ir 81 ctlo2 the rnlsh
tricks by which political leaders have attempted 10 dc
fore or during election or town meeting at which
they are candidates.
il is also n criminal act for person: with intent 20
promOtc the election OF person t. an elective Unce To
furnish money 10 cOnpc' sale Person Dr even
apparently furnish horse and WAGON for procuring
the attendance Of voters at the polls at an c'cctpn
ANY officer or empOyc OF the state or ~ any sun
division OF the state who gives to any Diner puhhc
officer or employee any money 10 he applied 10 inc
promotion II his election, who makes any subNcrp
ton or any promise to any fellow officer TO pay or
contribute any money iOr any said purpose Is guilty
OF msiemeanor. as /, any porSon who sends or
presents any political assessment subscription or con
tIihution TO. requests the payment 81. HIiN sue"
officer or cmplOyc. This last subdivision against Fe-
ouestlng the payment OF political contributions from
CITY employees has been apparently drreardc by the
Tanimany Hall managers.
The tile OF the Penal Code, which relates T. crime
against the elective franchise. now includes one
iwcntvsix sections. Much Of tn" matter i. new ana
some OF the offences named In TIL, part Of the coo
arc severely punished Those who have any oi"fl'l
connection with the election should read Thu portion 81
The amended code. as the law /, more strict thah
ever before and violations OF II bc unconsciou'y
committed. unless the law Is carefully studied.