Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1893 — English Election Laws. [ARTICLE]

English Election Laws.

r T»lcagpliitcr-6c?an. The British laws governing -the qualifications for suffrage; are ex-. tended and complicated,, and cover various requirements of property, occupations, and residence. When 3 Parliamentary election is to be held, a writ is first sent out by the Crown. A day Is then fixed by the returning officer to receive the names of the candidates. Voters are registered under the law and votes are east, in accordance with the ballot act, in booths, each voter stepping inside of the booth, marking on his ticket- the name of his chosen eandi-. ilate7 theh himself folding the paper and dropping it in the batlot box. The British laws against bribery ate very strict, and the one passed in 1883, which is known as “the corrupt practices act,” is the most stringent of aJTana has" practieaHy exterminated all influence, even indirect, over’ voters. By this' law the sum which a candidate may spend on his election is strictly limited, and severe penalties are decreed for any expenditure beyond its limit. The law provides that a promise to give refreshment, to pay traveling expenses, to procure an office, a id. indeed, to give any consideration, is to be construed as bribery if obviously offered to secure the friendship of the voter. Loans or large charitable payments, the employment of voters, even giving a holiday to workmen without deducting wages, can be construed as bribery, and if it appears that a candidate or any of his friends has been guilty of bribery, or even that bribery has occurred that can be traced to i.o one, the election is void; and any persons proved guilty are punished by imprisonment or fined, and by civil incapacity to run for any oflic for seven years and disfranchisemeet for the same period.