The herald., 1896-12-02

sion from Mr. Luckenbach's official in
structions? Mr.. Melvill paid visit to
the city attorneys office yesterday af-
ternoon to insist upon this point being
covered, but Mr.. Dunn was out at the
time and the only deputy who was pres
ent dismissed the matter with digni-
fed flourish that went far toward DEM
onstrating his superiority to the law.
However, no matter what the city OH
cials and the Republican machine may
or may not do, the Democratic and Peo-
pies party committees are Thoroughly
apprised, and the committeeman have
all been forewarned as to the law in ev-
cry particular by the following circular
mailed to them by Mr.. Melvill yesterday:
HEADQUARTERS DEMOCRATIC
CITY CENTRAL COMMITTEE, 23011
South Spring Street.
ITO Democratic Committeeman:
your attention is called in particular
to the following provisions of the elec-
tion laws:
Section 1888 provides, among other
qualifications of a voter, that he shall
be a resident of the precinct thirty days
prior to the election, and that he shall
have been on the great register Chat
kept by the county clerk) fifteen days
prior to the election. When not on the
precinct register, the voter shall be
sworn and present copy, certified by
the county clerk (sections 1107 and HID,
of either his registration or his transfer
certificate. This certified copy is to be
returned by the election board as pro-
vided in section 1861.
For grounds of challenge and record
of the same see sections 1929 to 1912, both
inclusive.
"As to canceling spoiled and unused
ballots see section 1907
ballot clerks should direct each voter
as he gives him his ballot to MARK
THE BALLOT WITH THE STAMP AS
PROVIDED BY LAW, OR 1T WILL
NOT BE COUNTED See section 1904
AS to assisting illiterate voters and
the afndavits necessary see seaAion 1908
Election boards are expected to fol-
low the strict letter of the law as to
opening and closing the polls, canceling
unused ballots. tallying the vote and
making returns. and signing all poll
lists, tally sheets and other papers, as
indicated by the forms furnished by the
clerk. See sections 1144 to 1150. 116O to
1164. liza. 1908 1909, 1911 and 1854 to 1858.
Committeeman are expected TO
RETURN TO THE SECRETARY. as
soon as the ballots are canvassed. the
precinct challenge book. and also full!
returns of the votes cast in their respec-
tive precincts for each person voted for
on the ticket. Proper blanks for this
purpose can be obtained from the Sec
retary on Sunday, December 6, 1896, be-
tween the hours of and p. m.
'On receipt of this circular. the COM
mitteeman is requested to inform the
secretary of the nearest telephone to
the polling place that can be used on
Gay of election, in order that voters chal-
lenged for removal may be prevented
from voting in other precincts, and maxi
ing other necessary communications.
"TELFAIR CREIGHTON.
Chairman.
a. H. MELVILL, Secretary"
And this is not ALL for vigilance does
not stop here considering that the
water company has now $3,000,000 at
stake. Detectives are to be put to
work to trace up every case where the
register has been stuffed. every case of
illegal registration and every case of
repeating in registration under false
name and residence. Detectives and
volunteers will be put to work in every
ward and precinct. and they will have
conveniently at hand a complete record
of the name. residence, occupation and
movements of every voter in every pre-
cinct for the last month. The law is
that a voter must, at the time of cleo
tion. have been one year in the state,
ninety days in the county and thirty
days in the precinct, and that his name
must be on the great register at least
fifteen days prior to the election
The Democratic and Populist commit
tees are determined that the election
laws shall be complied with. and If any
attempts are made to violate it. arrest
and prosecution will surely follow. They
work in this city in the interests OF
,poponO1y