The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1910-11-03
BY STAMPING IN the CIRCLE As SHOWN ABOVE
YOU WILL Be VOTING FOR EVERY MAN ON the
IlCKtI
CONSPIRACY ACT GOVERNS.
Election Frauds Punishable Under
Federal Statutes.

Under date OF October 10, 1910,
Frank Lee assistant L. S. Attorney for
Eastern District OF Oklahoma, writes
as follows relative to election frauds
and attempts of any persons TO pre-
won't others from voc!ng
Dear Sir:
You request this office 10 advise as
TO what Federal Statute. IL any con-
trolls in the matter of congression cleo
tions. Also whether an itenrference
with the right of qualified electors 10
vote at such elections. is in violation
of the laws Of the United States
Scr oh laws will be founi in Chapter
Three of the new Crimincl Code, Sec
ton 10 of such code which has espe-
cial reference to your inquiry. reading
as follows:
'lf two or more persons conspire to
injure, oppress, threaten or intimidate
any citizen in the free exercise or en-
joyment Of any right or privilege SO.
cured to him by the Constitution or
laws Of the United States, or because
If his having so exercised the same,
or IL two or more persons 90 in dis
guise on the highway, or on the prem.
ises of another, with intent to hinder
or prevent his free exercise or en-
joyment Of any right or privilege so
secured, they shall be fined not moro
| than Five Thousand Dollars, and i'm =
prisoned not more than ten years." etc.
II is clear that this section aims at
all persons who conspire to deny citi-
4 -, f~a
cured by The Constitution and laws OF
the United States and II citizens are
denied any right or privilege as set
forth in the section above quoted the
| United States would have full juris-
| ''ction. All who conspire to inture,
oppress, threaten, or intimidate the
citizen in the free enjoyment of such
right or privilege" are declared to be
guilty. The law affords ample protec-
tion. II provides stringent penalties
penalties deemed sufficient to safeguarf
the American citizen against an in.
vasion of those special rights thrown
around him by the National Govern,
ment.
Generally speaking, it would appear
that so far as this state is concerned
the right of suffrage can not be dis
turbed. At the threshold of the Con.
stitution of Oklahoma we find thi,
declarations:
The State of Oklahoma is an in.
separable part of the Federal Union
and the Constitution of the United
States is the supreme law OF the land.
BY express stipulation then, the Fiji.
teenth Amendment to the Constitution
becomes the supreme law of Oklahoma
Following this, subdivision of Sec
ton in the Enabling Act under
which statehood was granted provides
THAT said state shall never enact
any law restricting or abridging the
right OF suffrage on account OF race
color or previous condition of servi-
tude.'
This language is embodied in Sec
tion Article /. of the Oklahoma State
| Constitution. IL was fully considered
in the convention and ratified by the
people. These respective constitutions
and statutes certainly secure right,
even though they may not confer one
In Eek parte Yarbrough, 10 u. s,
Supreme Court Reports, 665, 664, II
was held that state or local lmita-
tions did not apply at elections where
congressman were to be chosen, "Be-
mon is right secured by and de-
pendent upon the Constitution of the
United States, the office being created