Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-21
THE NEW FRANCHISE ACT---NEGRo
sUFFRAGE A FIXED FACT.

SUFFRAGE A FIXED FACT.
The act to disfranchise the whites and
enfranchise the negroes, passed the Sen
ate on Monday, and is now a law, as far
as such an abomination can be. We lind
a synopsis Of it in the Nashville Gazette
Of Tuesday. .trrtr
Section enfranchises each male in
habitant, twenty-one years old, being q
United States citizen, and a resident OF
the county for six months, provided he
never aided, countenaneed or encouraged
the rebellion in any way. This proviso
is not to apply to such as have been
honorabIy discharged from the United
States army since January l, 1862, nor
to those who voted in the elections OF
November, 1864, or February or March,
1865; nor to any appointees of johnson
or Brownlow, prior to June 8, 1866.
Section 2 provides that within sixty
DAYS the Governor shall appoint for each
county a Commissioner of Registration,
who shall enter Immediately upon the
duty of registering voters and issuing
certificates.
Section provides that said Commits.
sioner shall issue certificates to Union
soldiers on proof Of an honorable dis
charre-to those who have voted in pre-
vious elections specified above, on pro
duction of poll-books or certified copy,
proving that they SO voted, or if the poll
book be lost, on the affidavit Of two I'M
conditional Union men; to appointees
of johnson or Brownlow, on production
of the commissions or certificate of Sec
rotary of State But every other person
must prove their eligibility under pre-
ceding sections by the evidence Of TWO
unconditional Union men, known as
such to the Commissioner, and must also
subscribe to the following oath:
II do solemnly swear that / have never
voluntarily borne arms against the Gov
eminent of the United States, for the
purpose or with the intention of aiding
the late rebellion nor have / with any
such intention, at any time, given aid,
comfort, counsel or encouragement TO
said rebellion, or to any act of hostility
10 the Government Of the United States
I further swear that l have never sought
or accepted any Office, either civil or
military, or attempted to exercise the
functions Of any Office, either civil or
military, under the authority or pre-.
tended authority of the SO. called Confed-
crate States Of America, or Of any insur-
rectionary State, Hostile or opposed to
the authority of the United States Gov
eminent, with the intent and desire to
aid said rebellion; and that have never
given voluntary support to any such
Government or authority. So help me
God"
But unconditional Union men, known
as such to the Commissioner, or proven
TO have been such by the evidence oftwo
men so KNOWN to the Commissioner,
will not be required to take this oath.
Section 4 constitutes the Commits
sioner as the Judge of conflicting testi-
moDy.
Section provides that the judges o.
all Circuit and Criminal Courts shall
give this act specially in charge to the
Jury at each term.
EgSection G provides for the necessary
books, blanks, etc.
Section Z provides for soldiers voting
while in military service, wherever loea
ted but virtually leaves it optional will
the Governor whether soldiers shall vot'
for county, district or corporation off
GERS.
Section provides that all certificate
heretofore issued shall be null and void
except those issued unaer the law o
May 3, 1866.
Section provides that all candidate
for any official position shall take tn
oath prescribed in section 3-exeep
those who have been honorably dil
charged from the United States service
or who have been appoiniees Of Johnso
or Brownlow.
Section 10 provides, that in case th
County Court refuses to induct officer
elected under this act, the COMMISSIONS
shall do so; and provides that judge
and clerks Of election shall be appoinie
as at present
Section II provides that each Con
missioner shall report 10 the Governoi
when be has completed registration, an
the Governor shall issue proclamatio
nnuouncing such comple;ioa Of registrI
ton and Issue Writs Of election to 6
vacancies rrr H.
Section II makes i The duty Of u
Commissioner to give ten days notice b
fore closing bis books. and provides thl
- u.