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five months before the election, so as to give the people ample time to choose among the candidates. Besides making nominations, the State convention adopts a platform of party principles that are to be carried out if the candidates nominated are elected.

The county convention nominates the candidates for county officers and selects delegates to the State convention. County delegates are selected by those voters who belong to the party about to hold a convention. The latter meet for that purpose in their respective voting precincts at a time fixed by the rules of their party. At this delegate or primary election, as it is called, the delegates are frequently instructed for whom they shall vote in the convention.

Direct Nominations.-In some counties, nominations are not made by conventions, but by a direct method known as the "Crawford County System," named after the county in which it was originated. By this system the voters who attend the "primaries," vote directly for the candidates of their choice; the ones receiving the highest number of votes in the whole county, are nominated. This is a favorite method with the people; for the delegates to a convention cannot always be relied on to do the will of those that send them.

The Campaign.-A very interesting and exciting feature preliminary to an election, is the campaign. Its purpose is to interest the people in the issues before them and to explain to them the platforms of the parties. To carry on this work, committees are appointed by the different parties. There are State committees, county, city, and even township committees. The first of these is an important organization, composed of one member from each county and appointed by the State convention. The

chairman of the State committee is selected by the candidates nominated for the State offices. These campaign committees also fix the time and place of holding conventions.

The Election.-There are two annual elections held in Pennsylvania; one on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November, the other on the third Tuesday of February. The former is held for National, State and county officers; and the latter, for township, borough and city officers. The polls open at 7 A. M. and close at 7 P. M.

The manner of conducting elections in this State is prescribed by what is known as the "Baker Ballot Law," a modification of the "Australian Ballot Law." The ballots used must be only those prescribed by this law; for the November election, they are furnished by the county; for the February election, by the township, borough or city. To have its candidates printed on these ballots, a party must, at the previous election, have polled at least two per cent. of the highest number of votes cast for any State office. Independent candidates may also have their names printed on the ticket, provided they present nomination papers signed (in the case of a State office) by at least one-half of one per cent. of the highest number of votes cast for any State office; and (in the case of any other office) by at least two per cent. of the highest number of votes cast for any office in the district for which the independent nomination is made. There are also blank spaces on the ballots wherein a voter may write the names of candidates of his own choice.

Any person desiring to vote must give his name and residence to the election officers. If such name is found on the assessor's list, the person is allowed to enter the

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space enclosed by the guard rail, where a ballot is handed to him. He then retires to one of the voting shelves and prepares his ballot by marking a cross (x) opposite the party name, or opposite the name of the candidate of his choice for each office to be filled, or by inserting in the blank space provided therefor any name not already on the ballot, and in case of a question submitted to the vote of the people, by marking a cross (x) against the answer which he desires to give. Before leaving the voting shelf, the voter folds his ballot without displaying the marks thereon in the same way it was folded when received by him, gives his ballot to the election officer in charge of the ballot box, who, without unfolding the ballot, numbers it as required by the Constitution to prevent fraud, placing the said number in the right hand upper corner of the back of the ballot immediately to the left of the folding line printed thereon. The election officer then at once folds the corner and fastens it securely down with the adhesive paste to cover the number on the ballot that it cannot be seen without unfastening or cutting open the part fastened down. He then deposits the ballot in the box. The number written on the ballot is also written opposite the voter's name on a list made out as the votes are cast.

Every party or group of citizens making nominations, has a right to have three watchers appointed for each district. These must be commissioned by the county commissioners, and only one from each party shall be allowed in the election room at the same time. The watchers have a right to remain in the election room, but outside the guard rail, from the opening of the polls in the morning until after the votes have been counted, and the returns made out and signed by the election officers.

The Qualifications of a Voter.-(a.) He must be a male at least twenty-one years of age.

(b.) He must have been a citizen of the United States at least one month.

(c.) He must have resided in Pennsylvania one year immediately before the election, or if, having previously been a qualified voter in the State, he having removed therefrom and returned, then six months.

(d.) He must have resided in the election district where he wants to vote at least two months immediately before the election.

(e.) He must have paid, unless he is voting on age, a State or county tax within two years, which was assessed two months, and paid at least one month, before the election.

(f.) He must be registered by the assessor, which registration must be made at least sixty days before the election. And no man shall be permitted to vote whose name is not on said list, unless he proves by the oath of at least one qualified voter in his district and by his own oath, his right to vote.

ANALYTICAL REVIEW.-What was the original method of electing officers? What gave rise to nominations? Classify conventions. How is the State convention formed? the county convention? Explain direct nominations. What is the object of the campaign? Give the dates of our elections? State how an election is conducted? What is the distinguishing feature of our presentelection law? What is the law in regard to independent candidates? What are the qualifications of a voter? Must he be able to read and write? Why should a man have to live two months at least in a district before he can vote in it? Why should a man have to pay a State or county tax some time within two years before voting?

CHAPTER VII.

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AS ADMINISTERED DIRECTLY IN THE STATE.

ITS LAWS AND COURTS.

United States Laws in the State. -All the people in the State are subject to certain United States laws. If the National government should lay a direct tax, the law would apply to every property owner in P、nnsylvania; but the local tax-collectors would not collect the tax; federal officers would be appointed for that purpose. The National government has no power to compel the State, or the local governments under the States, to collect its taxes. If in time of war more troops are needed than will volunteer, as was the case in 1863, the National government orders a draft; it appoints marshals to make an enrollment of the men subject to the draft, and organizes those drafted into companies and regiments. If a disturbance, such as the railroad riots of '77 and '94, breaks out and the local and State authorities cannot put it down, the President of the United States assists in putting it down; and any locality thus occupied by federal troops. is under martial law of the United States for the time being. Besides these, we have other federal laws; such as, the postal laws, the internal revenue laws, the patent laws and copyright laws—all of which are in force everywhere.

United States Courts in the State.-Cases arising in the