The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1903-01-28
The new Election Law.

The bill for the revision of the cleo
tion law, introduced by Mr.. Cole, in
the Senate on Friday of last week.
makes more strenuous the sections re-
garding the rights of foreigners TO
vote besides altering in many instan-
ces the present law regarding voting
places, etc.
Section 5, Of the present law, is
amended to read: "The County Court
shall divide the Magisterial Districts
into election precincts and the town
and city wards into precincts, and
these shall be named and numbered,
and the place for election designat-
ed.n
Section has been made by Mr.
Cole to read; ",rhe County Commits
sioners shall give notice of the meet
ings OF the Court on the first Monday
in April, Of the year of the general
election. This is notice of change in
precincts, sc.
Section provides for more dis
tinct description of boundaries of the
election places, etc,
Section II says that the room and
the number of booths shall be desg-
mated, and the building clearly locat-
ed 10 the order of Courts establishing
| them.
| Section 26, of the present law, de-
| fines those who shall vote, etc. II
has been changed by Mr.. Cole to the
following: All persons who have
been properly registered, and whose
names are on the registration books
furnished the Election Commission
ers shall be entitled to vote. Others
not registered may be put on the reg
istration books by the commissioners
of election on fling affidavits salts
factorily establishing their right tt
vote, and that their failure to regis
ter was not their fault.
Section Sc, concerning the printers
of the ballots, and those employed by
him, has made been more strenuous.
section l4l. regarding the intimida-
ton of voters, has made more lengthy
aud is somewhat stronger, but vic
lator is to be held guilty of misde-
nj 9anor only AID not felony, and
the extreme penaltyis confinement in
the county Jail for one year and DIS
reimbursement for two years. NJ in
dictments for olfenscs comm tied
| prior to the time this law takes effect
shall be- made.
| Section l46, reads that judges OF
| Courts, in instru ting the Grand Jury
| must dwell upon the violation of the
election laws. A person found guilty
of bribery, shall be disfranchlsed fol-
ten years for the offense, and the pros
ecuting attorney Of each county must
Cause every candidate residing therin
to appear before the Grand Jury at
the tirst term of Court after the cleo
tion, to testify 10 behalf of the State
against any person or persons who
have violated the law by Offering to
vote or voting for considera tion.
The name of the board Of Canvas
sers has been changed by Mr., Coles
election law to the Board of Registra-
tioD, and it shall meet between Sep
| temher Is aud October Is, preceding
The election, to make out the list Of
voters. This board will be composed
OF forr members; two from each
party, tohe appointed by the COM
mittees of each party
! Among the questions asked regard
ing The right to vote are:
| care yon a citizsD?"
| "Are you native CT naturalized
citzen?"
| The bill provides that more care
shall be taken in determining wheth-
er or not naturalization papers are
when offered for registration or yot
ing, and the naturalization process
has been surrounded with more safe.
guards To prevent fraud.
The salary for the members of the
Re- isifation Board shall be 81 pei
day and dive cents mile for travel.
And the violation Of this &C! on the
partof any member Of the board shall
lie classed as perjury and the punish
m~nt shall be two years in the coun.
ty Jail.
| There are many valuable amend
nents in the proposed law which will
render the commission Of election Of
lenses more difficult and the punish
nent more certain.
The bill Ia its general points will
meet With universal acceptation.