South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-01
CAN 7 DISTRIBUTE
SAMPLE BALLOTS
Republicans Plan is Likely to
Cause Trouble For Those
Responsible.

Plans which have been made by
St. Joseph county republican candi-
dates to have a quantity of sample
primary ballots printed and distrib-
uted are being declared in violation
of the primary act OF 1915. Under
the primary law as interpreted bal
lots cannot be given out except by
the election commissioners who can
only distribute the ballots 10 the
various voting places.
1t has been learned on good auth
ority that at a meeting of the re-
publican candidates held in the j.
NJ. S. building Monday night a reso-
luton was passed authorizing the
printing of a number of sample bal
lots TO be distributed over the coun-
". Each candidate contributed So
10 the fun TO pay the expenses
connected with the printing and dis
tribution Of the ballots. according to
the information given out following
the meeting.
Under the primary law this prac-
tice is prohibited and violation car
ries with it fines and penitentiary
sentences. There are four sections
of the 1915 primary law which cover
the point in question. Here they
are:
PRINTER SECRETLY GIVING
BALLOTS-PENALTY.
Sec. 40. If the printer of ballots
for any election: or any person en-
ployed in printing the same. shall
give or deliver, or knowingly permit
TO be taken any Of said ballots, by
any person other than a member of
the board of primary election COM
missioners or cause or permit to be
printed any ballot in any other
form than the one prescribed by
this act, or with other names there
on or with the name spelled or the
names thereon arranged any other
way than authorized by the said
board of primary election commits
sioners. H. shall be guilty of a fell
ony, and on conviction thereof shall
be imprisoned in the state peniten-
tiary not less than three nor more
than 10 years, and be disfranchised
for any deteminate period not less
than 10 years.
OFFICIALS FURNISHING BAL
LOTS FRAUDULENTLY.
Sec Al. If any member of the
board Of primary election commits
sioners shall give or deliver to any
therefore, or shall permit any of
them to be taken away except as
herein provided, he or they shall be
guilty of a felony. and on cOnvic-
ton shall be punished by imprison-
ment in the state penitentiary for
not less than one nor more than five
years and be disfranchised for any
determinate period not less than 10
years.
REMOVAL OF ELECTION SUP
PLIES-PENALTY.
Sec. AZ. If any person shall take
or remove in any manner felonious-
| ly, or with the consent or permission
OF the custodian for the time from
any place where they may lawfully
be under this act, any of such bal
lots or pencils to be used in the
primary Except as an official or Gus
| todian under this act, or while
/ within the polling place for the
purpose of vOting); or If any such
custodian or official shall consent &c
or permit any of such ballots OF
pencils 30 be removed or carried
away from the place where they
may lawfully be, by any person eX-
| cept an official or custodian under
| this act, whose duty it is to receive
the same, such person, custodian oil
official shall be deemed guilty Of &
! felony and on conviction shall bt
punished by Imprisonment in the
| penitentiary for not less than one
year nor more than five years, and
may be DISTINGUISHED for any de.
I terminate period not less than II
years"
! 1t is asserted by attorneys who
have considered the primary Law
that the distribution Of primary bal
( lots, samples or otherwise. is illega
and that someone will be liable L
prosecution for such an act The!
assert that the republicans of st
Joseph county are putting themselse
in a hazardous position by having
sample ballots printed and some in
sist that should the resolution pass
ed at the meeting Monday night b.
carried out, prosecution will result
TRAIN HITS WAGON.