Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-09-06
a HINT 10 REGIsTRARs.

We are informed that some OF our cltlAehS
are under the impression that the unconstitu-
tional aud unjust act passed on the 10th Of
February, 1866, by the Legislature of West
Virginia, entitled an act to regulate the Re
gistration Of Voters prohibits the Registrar
from entering on his book any who viii not
swear that they never had sympathy with the
Confederate cause When we first heard the
statement. we were satisfied our friends were
Iaboring under an erroneous impression, be
cause some Of the selsct number who have been
registered in this County, we have good reason
TO believe. if actions indicate the feelings oftae
heart. svmpathised with " the lost cause"
To satisfy ourselves we have examined the
Act. and were not able to find the word SYM
pathy in any Of the sections. For theiniorma-
ton of such Of our readers as may be curious
about this oath, we here give the Sd Section,
which contains the affidavit:
'sSec. 8. Before any registrar shall register
the name Of any person as aqualihed voter ex-
cept as hereinafter provided, he shall be salts
fled of his qualifications as heretofore provided
by law. and if he has anyd0ubt as to suchper-
sons LOYALTY. he shall administer toSucn person
the following affidavit;
g. township Of -- county, towit.:
lab, do solemnly swear that have not,
since the first day Of June, eighteen hundred
and sixty-Oue voluntarily borne arms against
the United States, the reorganized government
Of Virginia or the state of West Virginia that
L have not voluntarily given aid, comfort oras-
sistance TO persons engaged in armed hostility
against the United States, the reorgapized GO
vernment of Virginia OF the state OF West NT-
ginia that have not sought, accepted, eXer-
cised or attempted 70 exercise, any othce or ap-
pOintment whatever, under any authority or
pretended authority hostile or inimical 10 the
United States, the reorganized government Of
Virginia or the state Of West Virginia; that
viii support the constitution of the United
States and the constitution Of this state; and
that l take this oath freely, without any men
tai reservation or purpose Of evasion.
Such affidavit shall be subscribed by the par
ty and sworn to before the registrar, and return
ed with his books TO the county beard of regis
tration, to be filed by such board: Provided.
that no person who has heretofore volunteered
in the military service of the United States, OF
of this state, and who has been, or may here
after be, honorably discharged therefrom, shall
be required to take the affidavit of voters pro-
vided by this act, or be rejected from regStra-
ton on account Of any disloyalty prior thereto;
but any person presenting an honorable dis
charge from the United States military service,
if qualified as heretofore provided by law, shall
be registered as a qualified voter. And pro-
vided, further that every person shall be regis
tered who viii be entitled to vote at the first
election occurring after the registration, by
reason of his arril ing 1t twenty-one years of
age before that time, or by reason Of his having
then resided for sufficient length of time IN his
election district provided that heis otherwise
qualified according to the provisions Of this
section.
1t will be seen that nothing is said about
sympathy
The Registrar if satisfied of the loyalty Of
a voter, may register him without the oath.
This we presume was necessary in order to open
the door to some of the select who were
guilty not only of sympathy, but Of Gcts-of
giving aid, comfort and assistance" to the
Confederacy in the days when it was growing
power, and not in the hour of its decline. He
is to be satisfied of the applicants loyalty
When? Why. of course, at The time Of tie ap-
1gieatioa. Ifn5t satisfied then he is author
Used TO administer the oath. All who take this
oath he is required to register. Should he fail
to DO tins, he is liable, under the 18th Section,
to indictment and fine of not less than Fifty or
more than One Hundred Dollars and is also
liable to the party injured fsr damages.
While on this subject welwould correct ano-
ther error which some entertain as to the pow
ers of the Board of Registration. TheAct does
not give the Board the right to strike, at its
pleasure, names from the Registrars book, but
only for cause, and on proof 1t requires that
"the party whose name is proposed to be ex-
"cluded shall have due notice of the time and
"place of taking the evidence to prors his DIS
Capitalization, which evidence he shall have the
"ngbt to rebut, and shall have his name re-
stored to such list if improperly stricken
&" thcrefrom.'
How the idea that we have Just endcavored
TO correct as to the power of the Registration
Board originated we do not know, unless it has
been suggested by the practical teaching of
some Of the Boards. About this tits but char
liable to suppose there may be some error as to
the facts, as the Act directs the Governor to
appoint these Boards from among the Citi-
zens most known for loyalty, frmness and up
yghiasss." A Board Of upright men would
not we think, deprive a citizen Of his right to
vote, not only without law but against law
johnson Meeting in WinChe. ter.
On Monday last, a Mass Meeting, largely attend
ed, came of at Winchester. Col Joseph H. Sher-
rard, President and Maj. r. ". Hunter and Lieut..
II. X. Pritchsrd, Secretaries. Resolutions, appro-
batory Of the Reconstruction policy of President
johnson, and endorsing the proceedings Of the
Philadelphia Convention, were unanimously adopt
ed. Able speeches were mad, BY Major n. Kvd