Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-11-02
MARSHAL'S DUTIES.
Attorney General Miller Issues
Election Instructions.
WHAT THEY MAY DO AT THE POLLS.

Cleveland Addresses a Meeting of New
York Business Men-A Nebraskan Opens
Up a Question to His States Repre-
sentation in Congress, Claiming Three
More Members-The Fusion Policy in
Oregon, South Dakota and Alabama
Democratic Clubs-Field Notes.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2.-Attorney General
Miller has issued a circular letter to all
United States marshals and district attor-
neys throughout the United States clearly
indicating the line of policy which the de-
partment of justice will pursue in the COM
Ing elections for congressman in relation
TO the appointment of United States super
Visors Of election and special deputy mar
shals to watch the polls.
Quotes Cleveland's Order.
Tho attorney general quotes an order is
sued by President Cleveland to Attorney
General GARLAND in 1885, in which that
ohhcer was requested to take general
charge and direction Of the execution of
the statutes OF the United States touching
the appointment Of supervisors Of election
and special deputy marshals and the per-
formance of their duties and their compen-
sation, so far as these subjects are by the
constitution and laws under the supervis-
ion and control of the executive branch of
the government"
Rights of Special Deputies.
Attorney General Miller says the author
ity thus given has never been revoked and
he follows it up by quoting with approval
the instructions issued on the 18th
of last month by c. M. Denni
son, chief supervisor of elections of
of the northern district of New York, in re-
ply to an inquiry whether Especial deputy
marshals have a right to be inside the
place of registration during the progress of
registration, and whether they can be in
side the polling place on election day out
side OF the guard-rall."
Sustained by the Supreme Court.
Mr.. Dennison cites two cases where con-
victions were had for obstructing special
deputy marshal in the execution of this duty
and says the decision of the supreme court
of the United States clearly established the
constitutionality of the law of congress,
and the further facts that authority of the
national government is paramount in the
election of representatives, and that ''the
| national government has the right to use
physical force in any part of the United
States to compel obedience to its laws and
to carry into execution the powers conferred
upon it by the constitution
Where Supervisors May stand.
Regarding the position OF supervisors at
| the polls the attorney general says they
| may take such a position before or behind
| the ballot boxes, as will, in their Judgment,
| best enable them to see each person offer
| ing himself for registration or offer
| ing to vote, and as will best con-
| duce to their scrutiniZing the manner in
| which the registration or voting is being
| conducted; and at the closing of the polls
for the reception of votes they are required
| to place themselves in such position as will
| enable them to fully perform their duties. "
| Quotes the U. 5. Statute.
The attorney general quotes the United
| States statute on the subject and adds: by
section 2o22, the deputy marshals are au-
| thorized to arrest with or without process,
| any person who commits or attempts or
| offers to commit anv of the acts or offenses
prohibited herein, or who commits any
| offense against the laws of the United
States; but no person shall be arrested
| without process for any offense not COM
mitted in the presence of a marshal or one
of his general or special deputies, or one of
| the supervisors of election Any attempt
to interfere with the supervisors or deputy
marshal in the proper discharge of their
duties is a violation of the law and sub
| iects the wrong-doer to severe penalty"