The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-02
6o-62 West 23d st
FhDERAL AGENTS 1T The POLLS
The Attorne y Generals Ins,ruc ions to
Mnrshnis nnd Dis,rIct Attorneys.

Marshals nnd DisirIct Attorneys.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 1.-Attorney- General MIL
Ter has issued n circular letter to all United
States Mnrshals and District Attorneys
throughout the United States clearly indi-
eating the line Of policy which the Departing emit
OF Justice will pursue in the coming elections
for Congressmcn in relation to tho appoint
ment OF United States supervisors OF elections
and special deputy marshus to keep watch at
the polls.
!The AuorneyGe quote an order issued
by President Cleveland to Attorney General
Garland in 1886. in which that officer was
REQUESTED to take general charge and direo-
ton OF the execution OF the statutes OF the
United States touching tho appointment OF
supervisors OF election and special deputy
marshals. and the performance Of their duties
and their compensation. SO far as these sub
jects are. by tho Constitution and laws. under
the supervision and control OF the Executive
branch Of the Government"
Attorney-General Miller says the authority
thus given has never been revoked. and no
follows it UP by quoting with approval the in
structions issued on tho 18th OF last month by
c. NJ. Dennison. Chief Supervisor Of Elections
OF the Northern district of New York. in reply
to an inquiry whether special deputy mar
shals have n RICH: to be inside tho place Of
tne pIOsTeSS VI TesiStra-
ton and whether they can lie inside the poll
INK PLACE on elect ion day Inside Of the guard
rai" Mr.. Dennison. cites two cases where
sDsea deputy e'G marshal in IN the exeeniioa
OF this duty. and says the decision Of the Su-
premc Court OF the United states clearly es-
tRbiSheu tho constitutionality OF the law Of
Congress. He also cites the facts that the
authority Of the national Government is para
mount in the election Of REPRESENTATIVES,. that
tho national Government has the right to use
physical force IN any part OF tho United States
to compel obedience to its laws and to carry
into execution the powers conferred upon it
by the constitution. and that tho provisions OF
the Federal election laws are in force whom
and wherever any of the provisions OF the
Federal law are in conflict with the state
statute the Federal statutes must be followed
To the foregoing instructions the Attorney
General adds the following:
In the LANGUAGE OF the statute Of the United
pervlsors in their res pective election districts
or voting precincts to be present on the day
OF registration and on election day. to take.
occupy. and remain in sucn position. from
time to time. whether before or behind
the ballot boxes as Will; IN their luds-
son Offering himself Tor registration or oiIer-
ing. to vote. and as will best conduce to
their scrutiniztns ;he manner in which
tho rcgi stralion or voting i being conducted:
and at the clos ne o: the POLLS foT the recep-
ton Of votes they are required to place them
boxes. Tor tho puirose o. Engaging in the
work of canyassinG the ballots AZ vii! enable
them to fully perform the duties IN respect to
such canvass provided herein. and shall there
remain until every duty in respect to such
canvass. certificates. returns. and statements
by section ..022. HE deputy marshals arc
authorized to arrest with or without process.
any rcrson who commits or attempts or offers
to commit. any Of the acts or offences pro-
hititod herein. or who commits any offence
against the laws Of the United states: but no
person shall he arrested without process for
any offence not committed in the presence OF
the marshal. or one Of his general or special
deputies. OF one Of thr Supervisors Of election
arrests Any ATTEMPT to interfere with the
Supervisors Or DEPUTY m mar in the proper
law and subject tho wrong door to severe
The Attorney General concludes with re-
P"s N i.r:e ths;s nrovsons Of law may be be
h rror ~ @ e Of P" d"3ss wit"
Late this afternoon. after Acknowledgement
Mixer had started for Indianapolis. n despatch
attention Of the officials Of the Department of
Just,r" as having ri h;"arng upon the hslnr,.
chairman Sk"iy of III" Aiabamn Slate . ne mo.
cratic Campaign Committee had issued the
i"nwinT snst,nstonT to tnS rarty managers
The appointment OF deputy ma!shals for
election sI,, rnrLM9sss outsi,Ie e Birmingham.
GnT ma Mon,GodEery Is t iIIrGI @,d # M
shals should appear ut the polls ana .:"t With
in the thirty i"et limit. as provided hy tn"
state laws. except to cast their ballots or T.
I hey interfere with voters in any WAY. ha,"
I HON arrested. Have the Shcrii t. appoint
each precinct Tho committee will stand hT
yuu,'
. solicitor General Aldrirh. who is now i.'.nG
Acknowledgements read this de-l,a;rh wan 40;
teress. and said he had NJ. yet been aHN-"l ,
either 10y tho United state Marsha. mo /.
sumed he would nnl iull information ~ the |
subject in his mornings mai, ~ could ~: .
CT course, discuss "a hyiU'nc''H! .t-r' ta'
visions Of section ..ull OF IN" revised
statutes as 40 when -urrrl is"r- '9N!i trH
cally he appointed - itsiln ~ go, rs '' '''"'
lnhahi,ants we're vcrv clear. nII l"dn. ~
doubt that the rniicI state n.Nl.- d Va
hama li, followed lNu-" lr.'.-
state and tniica stat .'.'Il'- '.'...',,..
but " such u roi ilir' b. ""'..'f ,n,,