The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-21
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
REGISTRATION.
IMPORTANT CABINET DECISIONS.
FOR MILITARY COMMANDERS.

AshlSSION, v uHe EVs-1 uc CouCi uslouo
of the President and Cabinet in reference
to the Interpretation Of the military recon.
struction laws are stated in the following
proceedings, which are published by per-
mission of the proper authority.
In Cabinet, June Is, ls67.-Present The Pre-.
sident and Secretaries of State, Treasury,
War, Navy, Postmaster General, Attorney
General, aud the acting Secretary Of the In
terror.
The President announced that he had under
consideration the two opinions from the At
torney General as to the legal questions ari-
sing upon the acts Of Congress commonly
known as "The Reconstruction Acts" and
that in view Of the great magnitude of the sub
ject, and of the various interests involved, he
deemed 1t proper to have 1t considered fullyin
Cabinet, and to avail himself Of all the light
which could be afforded by the opinions and
advice Of the members Of the Cabinet to en-
able him to see that these laws were faithfully
executed, and to decide what orders and in
structions are necessary and eXpedeut to be
given to the military commanders. The Pre-
sident said further that the branch Of the
subject that seemed to him first in order for
consideration was as to the instructions TO be
sent to the military commanders for their
guidance and for the guidance of persons Of
fering for registration. The instructions pro-
posed by the Attorney General as set forth in
the summary contained in his last opinion
will therefore be now considered.
The summary was then read at length,
and each section was then taken up, con-
sidered, and voted upon.
/. The oath prescribed in the supplemental
act defines all the qualifications requisite, and
every person who can take that oath is enti-
tied to have his name entered upon the list OF
voters.
All voted aye except Secretary STAN
ton, who voted nay.
. The Board of Registration has no au-
thorty to administer any other oath to the
person applying for registration than this pre-
scribed oath, nor TO administer any oath to
other persons touching the qualifications OF
the applicant or the falsity Of the oath so
taken by him. No provision is made for chal-
longing the qualifications OF the applicant or
entering upon any trial or Investigation of his
qualifications either by witnesses or any other
form Of proof.
All vote aye except the Secretary Of
War, who votes nay.
3. As to citizenship and residence. The ap-
plicant for registration must be a citizen of
the State and of the United States, and must
be n resident OF the county or parish included
in the election district. He may be registered
If he has been such citizen for q period less
than twelve months ut the time he applies for
registration; but he cannot vote 1T any elec-
ton unless his citizenship has then endured to
the full term of one year. As to such per
son the exact length of his citizenship should
be noted opposite his name on the list, 30 that
il may appear on.the day of election upon re-
ference to the list whether the full term has
been accomplished.
Concurred in unanimously.
1. An unnaturaliZed person cannot take
this oath, but an alien who has been natural
lied can take il, and no other proof of his
naturalization can be required from him.
All vote aye except the Secretary Of
War, who votes nay.
:. No one who is not twenty one years OF
age at the time of registration can take the
Oh IN, for he must swear that he has then at
tanned that age.
Concurred in unanimously.
9. No one who has been DISTINGUISHED for
participation in any rebellion against the
United States or for felony committed against
the law Of any State or of the United States
an tax" this oath. The actual participation in
4 rebellion or the actual commission OF felony
does not amount TO diSfranchisement. The
sort OF acknowledgements here meant is that |
which is declared by law passed by competent |
authority, or which has been fixed upon the
criminal by the sentence of the court which |
tried him for the crime. No law Of the United |
States has declared the penalty of dsfran-
Chsement for participation in rebellion alone, |
nor is it known that any such law exists in
either Of these ten States except perhaps Nir
gnia, rs 10 which State special instructions
viii be given.
All vote aye except the Secretary Of
War, who diSsents as to the second and
third paragraphs.
:. As TO distrauchisement arising from
having held office, followed by participation
in rebellion This is the most important part of
the oath and requires strict attention TO ar
rive At its meaning. The applicant must swear
fgll,
"A member of any State Legislature, nor held
any executive or judicial office in any State,
and afterwards engaged in any insurrection or
rebellion against the United States, or given
aid or comfcrt 10 The elem,e. thereof that l
have never taken an oath, as 4 member of
Congress of the United States, or as an officer
of the United States, or as 4 member OF any
State Legislature, or as an executive or Judi
cial officer of any State, to support the Cohsti
tuition Of the United States, and afterwards |
engaged in insurrectiCn or rebellion against the
United States, or given aid or comfort TO the en-
emies thereof" Two elements must concur in
order to disquallfy person under these
clauses First, the Office and official oath to |
support the Constitution of the Uniteed
States. Second, engaging afterwards in
rebellion. both must exist 10 work dis |
qualification, and must happen in the
order Of time mentioned. person who
has held office, and taken the oath to
support the Federal Constitution, and has not
afterwards engaged in rebellion, is not dis
qualified. So, too, person who has engaged
in rebellion, but has not therefore held al Of |
flee and taken that oath, is not disqualified.
AL vote aye except the Secretary of
War, who votes nay.
S. Officers of the United States.-As 10 these
the language is without limitation. The
person who has at any time prior TO the re- |
bellion held any office, civil or military, under
the United States, and has taken an official
oath 10 support the Constitution of the United
States, is subject 10 disqualification.
Concurred in unanimously.
o. Militia officers OF any state prior 10 the |
are not subject to disqualification.
All vote aye except the Secretary of
War, who votes nay.
To- Municipal ofhcers-that is TO say, officers |
of incorporated cities, towns, and villages
such as mayors, aldermen, town councilmen, !
police, and other city or town officers, are not
subject to disqualification.
Concurred in unanimously.
H. Persons who prior 10 the rebellion have |
been members Of the Congress OF the United |
States or members OF a State Legislature are |
subject TO disqualification; but those who |
have been members of conventions framing or |
amending the Constitution of the State prior |
to the rebellion are not subject 10 disqualiil- |
cation.
Conculred in unanimously.
u. All the executive or judicial officers Of
any State who took an oath 10 support the |
Constitution Of the United States are subject |
TO disqualification, including county officers.
They are subject TO disqualification IL they |
were required TO take as part OF their official |
oath the oath to support the Constitution Of
the United States.
Concurred in unanimously.
l3. Persons who exercised mere employ
ments under State au thority are not disquali-
fed such as commissioners TO lay out roads,
commissioners Of public works, visitors of