OFFICERS OF ELECTIONS.--The officers of elections at each polling-place
are usually two or more supervisors, inspectors, or judges; a clerk;
and a sheriff, marshal, or other officer of the peace.

The _supervisors_ or inspectors decide who are entitled to vote under
the law, and in elections by ballot they deposit the ballots in the
ballot-box.

The _clerk_ makes a list of the names of voters, and when the election
is _viva voce_ he records the votes.

The _sheriff_ or other peace officer preserves order at the polls, has
charge of the ballot-box and polling-list after the election closes,
and delivers them to the proper authorities.

In most States, at the close of the election the officers _canvass_,
that is, examine the votes cast, and certify the number of votes
received by each candidate.

In some States the ballot-box is sealed at the close of the election,
and delivered to the canvassing board of the county. In such cases the
canvassing board of the county canvasses the vote, and in State and
national elections sends returns to the canvassing board of the State
at the State capital.

In some States election officers are appointed by the county officers,
usually by the county judge or probate judge; in other States they are
elected by the people.

BRIBERY.--Bribery in elections is one of the serious evils of politics.
_Bribery_ is offering or receiving a reward for voting. In most
States, in addition to other penalties, persons convicted of giving or
taking bribes are _disfranchised_; that is, are not permitted to vote
thereafter. In ancient Athens a man convicted of corrupting a voter
suffered the penalty of death.

The selling of a vote is regarded as one of the most infamous crimes
that men can commit. Not even the conviction of theft so lowers a man
in public esteem as a conviction of selling his vote, for bribery
savors of both theft and treason. To sell his suffrage is to sell his
manhood, his country, and his convictions. Most men who sell their
votes do it through ignorance; they are not aware of the enormity of
the crime. He who knows its infamy, and yet barters his suffrage for
money, is unworthy of the smallest trust, or even of the recognition of
honest men.

[1]For details regarding this system see Chapter XIX.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. In what way are voters responsible for the government of the country?

2. Do you believe in frequent elections? Why?

3. Do you believe i