Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1871 — The Enforcement Bill. [ARTICLE]

The Enforcement Bill.

Washington, Feb. 15. TriE following is a synopsis of the bill passed by the House of Representatives to-dßy, to amend an act approved May 81, 1870, entitled “An act to enforce sbe rights of citizens of the United States to vote in tho several Btates of this Union, and for other purposes Section 1. Enacts that the following acts shell lie considered crime*, aud tie punishable a* provided in Scllon III: Personating aud registering, or attempiing to register, dr in any way registering fraudulently; preventing any one from registering; Interfering with an officer or registration; false registration by officers of registration; neglect of their duties lu regard to registration and returns. This section provides that Its provisions shall extend to every registration made under State laws wheu a memberor delegate of Congress is to be chosen. Sic. S Enacts that If In cities of more than *O,000 Inhabitants two citizens shall, prior to an election of a member of Congress, make known to the Judge of the Circuit Court that they wish to have the registration guarded and scrutinized, it shall be the duty of the Judi/e to open his Court ten days prior to the registration or election. The Judge shall appoint two citizens *• who shall be of different political parties” as Supervisors of Election. The Court is to continue open until the election, and tbe Judge sitting at chambers sball have the same powers as when sitting in Coart. Sec. 3. Euacts that in case of necessity the Judge shall appoint, aa his substitute, one of tbe Judges of the United States District Court within his circuit. Sec. 4. Defines the dntles of Supervisors of Election. They are required to attend the registration of voters; to challenge persons offering to register; to mark for challenge such names as arc pointed out to them; to prepare a list of voters tot the Judge, and to sign each page of ’he original list of voters. Sec. 6. Enacts that tbe Supervisors of Election shall Inspect and scrutinize, on the day of election, the manner in which the voting is done, and examine and count every ballot, whatever may be the Indorsement on it, or iiT whatever box It may be found. The Supervisors arc to report to the Chief Supervisor of the Judicial District, the result of the election, aud any pt»crvai(on they wish to nuke touching the fairness of the registry, election, and canvass of tbe votes. Sec. «. Empowers the Supervisors to occupy such place at the registry, voting and counting, as will enable them to do their duty effectively. Sec.-7. Enacts that if the Supervisors are prevented from fulfilling their dttty, they are to report within ten days to the Supervisor ot the Judicial District, who Is empowered to act as Commissioner of the Circuit Court, examine witnesses, and report to tbe Clerk of the House of Representative* prior to the assembling of Congress. Sec. 8. Empowers the United States Marshal to appoint Deputy Marshals, who arc authorized to maintain order, make summary arrests, and assist the Supervisors, who are themselves invested, in certain contingencies, wilh tbe duties and powers of Deputy Marshals. No one is to lie arrested without process, on election day, for any offence committed on the day of registration. Sec. 9. Persons arrested for violations of this act are to be brought before a Commissioner, Judge, or 1 ourtof the United States. Sec. 10. Imposed Imprisonment fur not less than one or more than two years, or a fine of not less than fIJHXIor more than sAoti. or both fine and imprisonment, with the costs of prosecution, on any one committing tne crimes named in this act, or preventing its execution. Persons who refuse to give evidence, or shall answer falsely, are liable to arrest and Imprisonment as for a misdemeanor.

Sic. 11. Makes It s misdemeanor for Supervisors or Deputy Marshals to neglect or refuse to perform their respective-duties. Sec. 12. empowers the United States Marshal or his deputy. In case of need, to call on the United States military or naval forces to assist him. Commanding officers are bonnd to comply. Sic. 13. The Circuit Courts ate Instructed to appoint Commissioners, one of whom shall be known as the Chief Supervisor of Elections, who is charged with numerous duties Incidental to the purpose of the act. Sic. 14. Fixes the rate of remuneration for services rendered nnder this act, which are to be paid from the United States Treasury. Sec. 13. Extends the jurisdiction, of tbe United States Circuit Courts to ail suits arising under this act. Sic. 14. Enacts that all suits brought in State Courts for any net done under this act, may be removed to tile United States Circuit Court, and affords the necessary registration thereior. Sic. 17. Provides for cases where the Clerk of a State Court refuses to give copies of any record or proceedings needed lor suits in the United States Courts. Sec. 18. Repeals Sections 3 and 6 of the “Act to amend the naturalization laws, and to punish crimes against the same,” approved Juiy 14, 1870, without affecting any prosecution pending under it