Year: 1865

An Act 70 Prevent Officers Of The Army


and Nary and Other Persons Engaged an


Military and Naval ,SerUice of The Jni-


ted States, from Iatertering in the Elec-


tions IN The States. ''4


BE Il enacted 6y the Senate and House of Repre-
senhtVes Of the United States in Congress assembled
That it shall not be lawful for any military or naval
officer of the United States, or other persons en-
gagged in the civil military naval services of the
United States, to order, bring, keep or have under
his authority or control any troops or armed men
at the place where any general or special election
is held in any State of the United States of America,
unless it shall be necessary to repel the armed
mics of the United States or keep the peace at the
polls. And that it shall not be lawful for any
officer Of the army or navy of the United States,
to prescribe or fix by proclamation order, other
wise the qualifications of voters in any State of the
United States of America, or in any manner TO in
terere with the freedom of election in any State,
or with the exercise Of the free right of suffrage
in any State of the United States. Any officer Of
the army or navy of the United States or other
the United States who violates this section of this
act shall for every such ofense be liable to indict-
ment as for misdemeanor, and, on conviction
thereof, shall pay fnognot exceeding five thous-
and dollars, and suffer Imprisonment in the peni-
tentary not less than three months nor more than


five years, at the discretion of the Court trying the
same and any person convicted as foresaid shall
moreover be disqualified fTou holding any Office OF
honor, profit or trust, under the United States
Provided, that nothing herein contained shall be
50 construed as to prevent any officers soldiers,
sailors, or marines, from exercising tho right OF
suffrage in any election district to which he may
belong, If otherwise qualified, according TO the
laws of the State in which he shall offer to vote


SEC 2. And be it further enacted, that any officer
or person in the military or naval service of the
United States who shall order or advise OF who
shall directly indirectly by force threat, menace
lintimidate, or otherwise, prevent or attempt Ia
prevent any qualified voter of any State of the
United States .of America, from freely exercising
the right Of Suffrage at any general or special elec-
tion in any State Of the United States; or who
shall in like manner compel or attempt ID
compel any officer of an election in any
such State TO receive vote from a per.
son not legally qualified to vote, or who shah i'm
pose, or attempt To impose, any rules or regulations
for conducting said election different from those
any officer OF said election in the discharge OF hl
duties shall for any such oensc be Liable to indc


ment as for msdemeanor in any Court of the
United States having Jurisdiction TO hear and de
termine eases of misdemeanor, and on conviction
thereof shall pay fine not exceeding five thous
and dollars and suffer Imprisonment in the peniten


tary not exceeding five years at the discretion Of th'
Court trying the same aud any person oonycteC
as aforesaid shall moreover be disqualified from
holding any Office of honor, profit or trust unde
+:he Government of the United States. i ar e.
Approved, Feb. 25, 1865. r..aI H