The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-03-30
The Franohiso Lnw.

We publish entire the Franchise law,
which gave such oifcnse to the minor
ity of tl0eaty.0Ne in the House, that
they with drew, or refused to answer
to their names, and in this revolution.
airy way, reduced tho House below a
quorum. They are before the coun-
try in an address, in which they COM
plain that tho Bill was sprung upon
them rudely, and hurried TO its third
reading under the force Of the pre-.
vious question: The facts are, q Fran
chisc Bill had been before tho Com
hittee for montis-this one was, offer
cd in lieu of the Committees Bill.
Before the previous question was
moved by Mr.. Raulston, tho oppo-
nents Of the measure had spoken a.
gainst ii thirteen hours, and its friends
for it, tiCo hours. Still they were not
satisfied. Tho spiritof the Rebellion
is never satisfied with what looks TO
the preservation of tho Union, and
the retaining of power in loyal hands
w publish the bill that loyal men
may see it, and pass upon its merits,
II has not passe' the Senate, but 1t
ought to, and unless it does, the pow.
or Of the will pass into rebel hands,
A Bill in lieu Of q Bill to alter and
amend an act entitled An act to
limit the elective franchise, passed
June 5th, 1865"
SEC. |. Be it enacted By The General
Assembly Of the State Of Tennessee,
That every white male ~inhabitant Of
this State Of tho age Of twcnty-one
years, II citizen of the United States,
and resident of county wherein he
may Offer his vote, six months mex
proceeding the day Of election, shall
be entitled to the privilege of the cleo
tive franchise, subject to the following
exceptions, to wit:
First, Said voter shall have never
borne arms against the authority OF
tho United States Government, nor
have aided, countenanced or encour-
aged acts Of hostility thereto.
Second, That said voter shall have
never sought, or voluntarily accepted.
any office, civil or military, or aitemp.
ted to exercise the functions Of any
Office, civil or military, under the au.
thority or pretended authority Of the
so.callod Confederate States Of Amer
lea, or of any insurroctionary State
whatever, hostile or opposed to tho
authority of the United States Govern
mcut, with the intent and desire to aid
said rebellion or insurrectionary au
thority.
Third, That said voter shall have
never voluntarily supported any pre-
tended government, power or anthor.
ity hostile or inimical to the author.
ity Of tho United States, by contrib
utions in money or property, by per
suation or influence, or in any other
way whatever. Prorided, That the
foregoing restrictions and disqualified
tons shall not apply to any white cit
izen who may have served in and been
honorablv discharged from the army
or navy of the United States since the
lst day Of January, 1862, nor to those
who voted in the Presidential election
in November, 1864, or voted in tho el-
ection for " Ratification or Rejection"
in February, 1865, or voted in the
election held on 3rd of March of the
same yoar for Governor and members
of the Legislature. nor those who
have been appointed To any civil or
military office BY Andrew Johnson,
Military Governor, or VIM 6. Brown
low, Governor Of Tennessee, all of
whom are hereby declared to be quail
fled voters upon their complying with
the requirements Of this act Provided,
That this latter clause shall NOT ap.
ply to any commission issued upon
any election which may have been
held
SEC, 2. Bel further enacted, That
the Governor OF the State shall, with
in sixty days after the passage Of this
act, appoint u Commissionerot Regis
tratiou for each and every county in
tho State, who shall without delay en-.
ter upon tho discharge of his duties
and who shall have full power to. adj
minister the necessary oaths provided
by this act The said commissioner
entering upon the duties Of his
office shall take and subscribe an oath
tn support tho Constitution Of the
United States and the Constitution of
the State Of Tennessee, and to fl ith.
fully discharge the duties of his office,
and also the oath prescribed in sec.
ton 8 Of this act, which oaths shall be
in the Office Of tho Secretary of
State. The said commissioner shall
keep his Office at the county sea- of
tho county, and il shall DO his duty TO
take tho proof required By this net,
and to register the names Of each and
every qualified voter, and to issue u
that such voter is entitled
10 the privilege Of the elective fran.
and he shall preserve and keep
he necessary records Of his Office, and