Methods of Reform. 
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to the attorney-general, setting forth one or more of the follow¬ 
ing charges against such public officer, to-wit: That at the 
election at which such public officer was elected, the total amount 
expended, contributed or incurred by such officer exceeded the 
sum allowed by section 6 of this act for such candidate or that 
votes were secured by him or his agent or agents, or with his 
consent or connivance, or with the consent or connivance of his 
agent or agents, by some committee or organization or some po¬ 
litical party, of which party such public officer was a nominee, 
or by which he was supported, or the agent or agents of some 
such committee or organization, by paying, contributing, offer¬ 
ing or promising to contribute money or other valuable thing as 
a compensation or reward, or by some promise or influence the giv¬ 
ing such vote or votes, or that votes were withheld from such 
applicant by reason of such practices by or on behalf of such 
officer, agent, committee or organization, or by reason of some 
act on behalf of such officer declared by this act to be unlawful; 
and further setting forth that the applicant desires said attor- 
ney-general to bring an action to have such public office de¬ 
clared vacant on account of said violation of the laws concern¬ 
ing elections. Such application shall be accompanied by a bond 
to the State of Missouri in the penalty of one thousand dollars, 
subscribed by two sureties, who shall justify as freeholders of 
the State, and in double the amount of such penalty, exclusive 
of all their debts and liabilities, and property exempt by law 
from levy and sale under execution—such bond to be conditioned 
for the payment to the State of all the taxable costs and dis¬ 
bursements for which it may become liable for or on account of 
such action. 
Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the attorney-general, within 
ten days after the receipt of such application and bond, to be¬ 
gin an action against such public officer, or to instruct the pros¬ 
ecuting attorney of the county in which such public officer re¬ 
sides, to bring such action within ten days after such notice, to 
have said office declared vacant, and for such other or further 
relief appropriate in an action against the usurper or any office 
or franchise. Such action shall be deemed to be, and shall be 
conducted according to the rules prescribed by law for an ac- 
