The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-08-11
FRAUDS IN PRIMARY
PENALIZED SEVERELY
Rules Adopted by Democratic Con-
venti0n Two Years Ago Have Been
incorporated Into Statute Law OF
South Carolina
The State.

Strict laws have been enacted BY
the general ass embly to prevent fraud
in primary and general elections in
Sourh Carolina The rules governing
the primaries were adopted in 1914
by the State Democratic convention
The general assembly in 1915 made
these rules part Of the statute law.
Act No. l1S, section 22S-O, pissed
in 1915, says:
ANY person violating the provisions
Of this act other than swearing false
ly shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and fined not over $500 or imprisoned
not over six months, or both at the
discretion of the court. Any person
swearing falsely in any of the matters
pertaining to primary elections shai!
be guilty of perjury. The officers and
managers of all clubs, and members
OF the State and county executive com
mittees of political parties, organiza-
tions or associations, are hereby au.
thorized to administer oaths in all
matters relating to such primary elec-
tions and to swear falsely before any
of them touching such matters shall
be perjury. The said managers shall
be sworn to conduct the election fairly
and legally, and each voter shall be
sworn as to his right to vote and
that he has not voted before at said
election"
The code of laws of 1912 contains
section to prevent betting on elec-
tions. There is a fine of $500 or one
month Imprisonment provided upon
conviction.
Jail for "Repeaters..
One section provides against voting
more than once at elections. The per
son violating this section ;, shall be
fined and imprisoned at the discretion
OF the judge before whom the case
shall be tried"
The section to prevent bribery a
elections provides fine of not les
than $100 nor uore than $500 anc
Imprisonment for not less than 3!
days nor more than six months, fo!
the first offense. For the second of
fense the term of Imprisonment is no
less than three months nor more thai
II months and "a fine of not less thai
$500 nor more than $4,000 A per
son offering to procure voters by brib
cry is guilty of misdemeanor, &C
cording to section %of the crimina
code, and shall be fined and i'm
prisoned at the discretion of tn
court"
Section 1852 of the criminal cod
says:
AT or before every political pri
mary election held by any politica
party, organization or association, TO
the purpose Of choosing candidate
for office, or election of delegates t.
conventions, in this State, any per
son who by threats or any other form
of intimidation, or by the payment
delivery or promise of money or othe
article Of value, procure or offe,
promise or endeayor to procure, an
!; other to vote for or against any par
ticul3r candidate in such election, O
! Who shall, for such consideration
offer to SO vote shall be guilty of
: misdemeanor
There is also a section to preven
persons from serving candidates so
money considerations. The fine
: not more than $500 OF not more tina
: one year in prison.
r Creating Prohibited.
: Section 1855 says
! 1T shall be unlawful hereafter 70
e any person to sell, barter or give ava
: or treat any voter to any malt or il
toxicating liquor within one mile {
3 any voting precinct during any pr
mary or other election day, under
: penalty upon conviction thereof, {
not more than $1OO, nor more than
: days imprisonment with labor
S Another section provides a penalt
$ at the discretion of the court TO pre-
d vent abusing voters .
= Section $40 OF the criminal coo
S says:
X Amy voter VINO shall swear false1
al any primary election in taking Il
$ prescribed oath, or shall impersonat
: another person and take the oath