Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-23

We copy the instructions below from
instructions for the guidance of Repuo-
lican county and precinct chairmen, for
the purpose Of insuring an honest count
and return Of the votes cast on election
day. November 3, 1886" This circular is
signed by James ID. Brady, secretary,
and the instructions for violating the
secrecy OF the ballot are as follows:
Advise each and every Republican
voter, Immediately before he goes in to
vote, TO declare aloud in the presence Of
the bystanders, and also in the presence
OF the officers conducting the election. his
intention TO vote for Mckinley and Ho-
bart and the Republican candidate
for Congress maming him); and also after
he has voted advise him publicly to de-
clare in a loud voice, as he leaves the
voting place that he has voted for Nc
Kinley and Hobart and the Republican
candidate for Congress, naming such can
didate.
RECORD OF THE REPUBLICAN VOTE.
Select two intelligent discreet, and re-
liable persons as tally keepers TO Keep a
complete and accurate record of the Re
publican vote cast at each precinct both
OF whom should remain constantly at the
polls.
Immediately after the voter has cast
his ballot have him sign one of the fol-
lowing certificates:
FOR THE VOTER WHO PREPARES
HIS OWN BALLOT.
do hereby willingly certify that on
November 3. 1896. l voted at........precinct
county for Mckinley and Hobart
for President and Nice-President of the
United States, and for............for Con-
sress; that l p.epared my official ballot
i'm the voting booth and delivered said
ballot to the judge Of election who in
my presence deposited the same in the
ballot-box Given under my hand this
81 day OF November, 1886. .'...........
Witness.
FOR THE VOTER UNABLE TO PRE-
PARE HIS BALLOT.
I do hereby willingly certify that on
November 3. 1896. l voted at....... precinct
fn.......county. for Mckinley and Ho-
hart for President and Nice-President
OF the United States. and for.......... FOR
Congress. And being unable 10 prepare my
ballot L requested and required the judge
of election TO prepare my official ballot Tor
me in the voting booth. and after
said Judge had prepared said ballot |
delivered said ballot TO the judge OF cleo
ton In charge of the ballot-box. who In
my presence deposited the same in the
ballot box. Given under my hand this,
81 day OF November, 1886. ............
Witness. .................
one OF the tally-keepers will securely
vrap and seal these certificates and de-
liver them with his tally-boolS to the
ccnnty chairman on the night Of, or day
al,cf the election.
TIE tally-keeper will enter in a book
nc He'd for that purpose the name OF
every voter who reports 10 him at the
oo,js on election-day that he voted for
mckinley and Hobart for President and
Nicc-President and for the Republican
candidate for Congress. And at the close
OF the polls he viii FIJI the blanks in,
and sign the certificate at the end OF
the tally-book returning the same with
the certificates as above stated
When reading the above the reader
must bear in mind that the law provides
Tor absolute secrecy. and specially pro-
viles against the officers Of election
knowing how the voter votes. forbiddlne
a Judge TO examine the ballot In any
way. while the circular demands that
votes in the hearing Of the officers Of the
election.
TO appreciate the audaclty of this pro-
|. posed violation Of law. let us go back
20 1881 when the election machinery o.
the State was in the hands OF the Repub
lican party. IL such a plan Of intmlca-
ton and violation OF the principles OF
the secret ballot had been attempted
BY the Democrats then every United
States Commissioner in Virginia would
have been kept up all night swearing IN
deputy marshals 10 arrest those whS
were making the attempt. No denuncia'
ton OF them would have been severe
enough, for In those days the Republican
theory was that all that kept the Demo
csofs from buying up sll the negro votes.