St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-02-22
Communication.

l
To the commissioners and clerks of
election as well as the voters IN
general.
Various and constant complaints
have been made to me in reference to
the manner in which the last Tor first)
primary election was conducted. The
most glaring of the complaints are as
follows:
LIST. That the polls were kept open
beyond the hour liked by the primary
election law.
End. That after the polls were
closed, the commissioners ordered
everybody, even the watchers appoint
ed by law, out of the polling place,
closed all doors, and remained behind
closed doors for at least one-half hour
before proceeding to canvass or count
the votes.
Sd. That the commissioners of cleo
ton, as well as the clerks, actually
offered their service to the voters for
the purpose of fixing their tickets, and
in some instances wed with each other
as to which one Of them should fix the
voters ticket. All of which acts are
absolutely in violation of the election
primary law.
These complaints were not based on
the belief that the commissioners and
clerks acted with fraudulent intent,
| but, was occasioned through mis-
understanding and lack of knowledge
by them of the provisions of the cleo
ton law. 1t is evident to every de-
cent citizen, that, if the primary cleo
ton is to remain with us as the me-
dunn of making partly nominations,
the election must essentially be fair
and honestly conducted, for otherwise
the one great purpose sought to be
obtained by the primary election fair
ness in party nominations-will be
nullifed.
Therefore, in ordor that misunder-
standings will not happen hereafter,
and that commissioners and clerks OF
election will have no excuse, the fol-
lowing resume of the provisions of the
primary election law on the points or
complaints raised herein, is given for
their guidance in the coming second
primary election to be held February
Is, 1903.
1st The primary election law pro-
vides: That the polls must open at
six o'clock a. m. and close at seven
O'Clock p. m. Therefore the commits
sioners cannot open the polls sooner
than six o'clock in the morning, nor
keep them open later than seven
o'clock in the evening. 1t may So
happen that for some cause over
which the commissioners have no con-
troll, the polls may not open until
after six o'clock in the morning. For
instance, only one commissioner may
report for duty; under the law he is
compelled to appoint another etc.
However, under no circumstances
shall the polls remain open later than
seven o'clock in the evening. Ana
both voters and commissioners are
subject to prosecution, should they do
so. 1t must be understood that if a
voter has begun to prepare his ballot
before seven o'clock, he should be per-
mltted to complete the act of voting
and cast his ballot.
In instances of this kind, the COM
mlssioners must use some discretion,
provided that no rank abuse of the
law is allowed.
End. The holding of elections,
whether primary or other elections
are held publicly, and must be in plain
view of the public. The commission
ers under no circumstances have any
right to hide themselves from The pub
lie view, either during the election
Whlle4the!polls are open, or alter the
polls are closed, and during the can
vassing or counting of the votes.
They have a perfect right to compel
the voters, except when they are
actually voting, to remain outside of
the guard rail or space surrounding
the polling booth, as provided by law.
Should no guard rail be provided, then
IN the discretion Of the commissioners
they should mark off a certain space
from the polling booth, and not permit
any one within that space.
But under no cirdums stances can thew
they order the voters and Watchers
out Of the building, close the doors
and keep them closed under anv pre-
text whatever, and especially SO after
the polls are closed.
After the polls are closed. according
to law, the watchers have a right to
go behind the guard rail or space and
watch the count. That is the duty
the law requires of them, and the
commissioners have no authority to
refuse them this right.
1t must be understood that the
watchers cannot interfere with the
election, and should they BECOME
bolsterous or in any manner disturb
the peace, either while the polls are
open or after they are closed or the
votes are being counted, the cemnnis-
sioners have the authority to order
their removal or arrest, as thev deem
necessary. No one except the watch
ers shall have the right to 90 behind
the guard rail or space, either before
the polls are closed or after, ard fhe
watchers only after the polls are
closed,
Should any citizen or citizens be-
come boisterous, or in any n amer
disturb the peace, or annoy the com
missioners or interfere with them
while they are counting the votes. or
at any other time, the commissioners
have the right to have him or them
removed or arrested, as they deem III.
provided it any voter, be he watcher
or not, is removed from the boiling
booth or arrested before the poiIs are
closed, he shall have the riaht to first
cast his vote if qualified to do SO.
Sd. Commissioners nor clerks "a
election have right to offer or s.1p-
sf1ppasf their Snryirar * u y