Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-06-26

Attorney General STANBERY has delivered
his opinion on the power and limits of Dis
trict Commanders, extracts from which may
be found on our first page and in the cditO-
rial columns. Below, we append Els. summary
as to those who are entitled to registration, &c.
WHO ARE ENTITLED TO REGISTRATION
l. The oath prescribed in the Supplement-
al Act defines all the qualifications required,
and every person who can take that oath is
entitled to hare his name entered upon the
list Of voters.
2. The board of registration have no au-
thority to administer any other oath to the
person applying for registration than this pre-
scribed oath; nor to administer aEy oath to
any other person, touching the qualifications
of the applicant, or the falsity of the oath 80
taken by him. The Act, to guard against ialsi-
ty in the oath, provides that if false; the per.
son taking,it shall be tried and punished for
perjury. -.
qualifications of the applicant, or entering
upon any trial or investigation OF his quallh-
cations, either by witnesses or any ether form
ofprooi
5. As 10 citizenship and residence.
The applicant for registration must be
citizen Of the State and Of the United States,
and must be resident of county included
in the election district. He may be register
ed if lie has been such citizen for a period
less than twelve months atthe time he ap-
plies for registration, but be cannot vote at
any election unless his citizenship has then
extended to the full term Of one year. AS to
such person the exact length of his citizen
ship should he noted opposite, his name on
the list so that it may appear ON the day oi
election, upon reference to the list, whether
the full term has then been accomplished.
4. An unnaturalized person cannot take
this oath, but an alien who has been natural
lied caa take it. and no other. proof of natur-
alizatioa can be required from him.
5. No one who is not twenty-one years Of
age at the time Of registration can take. the
oath. for he must swear that he has then at
taipcd that age.
6. No one who has been disfranchised for
participation in auy rebellion against the
United States, or for felony committed against
the laws ofany State or ofthe United Statees,
can safely take this oath.
The actual participation in rebellion, or
the actual commission of felony, does not
amount to disfranchisement. The sort Of
disfranchisement here meant. is that which
is declared by law passed by competent au-
thority, 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 dislranchisement for participa-
tion in rebellion alone. Nor is it known that
any such law exists ip either of these ten
States, except perhaps Virginia, as to which
State special instructions will be. given.
7. .As 10 diyrancaiscmeat arising from
hauing held office toll0,ced by participation IN
rebellion.
This IS the most important part Of the
oath, and requires strict attention to arrive
at its meaning. 1 deem itproper to- give the
exact words. The applicant must swear or
affirm as follows:
"That have never. been member of any
State Legislature, nor held any executive OF
judicial Office in any State. and afterwards
engaged in an insurrection or rebellion.against
.he United States, or given aid or comfort to
,he enemies thereof; that IL have never taken
IN oath as member Of Congress of tie Uni.
ed States, or as an officer of,he Cnitcl State,
,r as q member of any State Legislature, Or
Is an executive or judicial officer OF any
State, to support the Constitution of the
United States, and afterwards engaged in
or rebellion against the United
States, or given aid or comfort to the ene-
nies thereof"
Two clements must concur in, order to dis
luaEly person under these clauses: First,
he Office and official oath to support the Con- !
titution of the United States; Second, en-
.apinp afterwards in rebellion, Both must
xist to work disqualification, and must hap
Yen in the order OF time mentioned.
A person who has held an Office and taken
he oath to support the FederG Constitution,
md has not afterwards engaged in rebellion,
5 not disqualified. So too, person who
Ias engaged in rebellion, but has not hereto
ore held an Office and taken that oath Is not
disqualified.
o. OtCEBS LII GbC NDttttk E]tteIo!
As TO these the language is without limlta-
ION. Tae person who has at any time prior
. the rebellion held,any Office; civil or mill
,ry; under the Omitted States and has
AIKEN an official oath to support the Consti-
ltion O: the United States, is subject 10 dis
ratification. -
9. Military officers of any State, prior
D the rebellion, are not subject to disquali-
cation.
10. Municipal officers, that is to say, off,
ers of Incorporated cities, towns, and vii
.rcs such as mayors, aldermen, iowa coun-
IL police, and other city or town officers, +
re- q NOT subject to disqualification.
IL. Persons who have, prior tothe REBEL
in beer members of the Congress of the 4
'nited States, or members Of State Legis.
ture, are subject to disqualification. But
lose m who have been members Of conventions
aiming or amending the Copstitution of a
tate, prior to the rebellion, are not subject
disqualification.
12. Ali the executive or judicial officers of
" Slate who took an oath to support the
onstitution Of the United States, are Sub
ct to disqualification, and in these include
Sunty officers, as 10 whom I made a reser-
,t;on in the opinion heretofore given. After :
III consideration have arrived at the con.
lilsion, thst they are subject to disqualifca. 9
on, if.hey Nsre required b taks 40 sFaEs