Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-06
House Of Representativss.


TUESDAY, Feb. 5, 1867-The House
met at 10 o'clock.
QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE.
Mr. Wines, Of Montgomery, arose to
question of privilege. He asked and OBJ
tanned leaveto denounce the spirit and tone
of the Nashville Banner Of this date, in
its remarks upon Messrs. Smith, of Harde.
man, and others.
RESIGNATION or Mr.. LEDBETTER.
The resignation of Mr.. r. p. Ledbetter
was presented to the House In note
addressed to the Speaker he SAYS: 81 was
elected a member on the 10Th day of No.
vember last by the votes of the counties of
Williamson, hurry and Lewis. At that
time | contemplated only short session,
and | was reluctant in accepting the posi-
ton / now occupy. In consequence of
failing health, and more particularly an af.
lection of the throat, which continues TO
grow upon me, | resign my position as
member" The resignation was accepted.
TO EXTEND Pulaski.
Mr.. Lellyett presented a petition from
the citizens of Giles county, praying the
extension of the corporate limits of Pulaski.
Mr.. Moore presented a petition to the
same effect accompanied by bill carrying
ont the prayer OF the petitioners.
TO ABOLISH CREDIT.
The Judiciary Committee, TO whom was
referred the bin (by Mr.. Brown, of Madi-
son. to abolish the credit system, decrease
litigation, and improve public morals, re-
ported in favor of its passage.
THE FRANCHISE.
The special order, being the bill to con-
fer the right of suffrage on negroes, was
taken up on its third reading. r.
Mr.. Smith, of Hardeman, offered a bill
in lieu, which, after considerable discus
sion, he withdrew.
Mr.. Lellyett offered an amendment to
the bill, embracing general amnesty and
suffrage under the law of 1884.
On motion of Mr.. Raulston, the amend
ment was laid upon the table
The House then took a recess until two
O'Clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.. Smith, of Hardeman, again offered
his bill in lieu
Section one provides that all male citi-
zens of the United States, negroes inclu-
ded, twenty-one years old, and six months
resident in the county, shall vote in all
elections, except LIST, those who have borne
arms, or aided or encouraged, countenanced
etc, rebellion against the United Stetes !;
End. Those who have held office, civil or
military, in the Confederate States; 3rd
Those who have supported the rebellion"
"by contributions in money or property,
by persuasion or influence, or in any other
way whatever" There is a proviso TO this
section, taking ont of these exceptions all
who, though they may have been previous
| ly identified with the rebellion" in anv Of
| the forms mentioned, NAV have served in
the army or navy of the United States after
the lst of January 1862; also all who voted
in the Presidential election Of 1864, the
election for Ratification or Rejection" in
February, 1865, the election for Governor
and members of the Legislature in March
1865; also all who were appointed to any
civil and military Office by Andrew John
son, as military Governor, or by Gov.
Brownlow, prior 70 June 5fh, 1865.
Section two provides for the appointment
of Commissioners of Registration in each
/ county within sixty DAYS after the passage
of the Act, and prescribes their duties.
Section three preseribes the conditi ous
on which certificates are to be issued, and a
steel-clad oath, the proofs necessary for
1 applicants, etc. These are still more strin-
| gent than the requirements of the existing
law.
Section four requires the Commissioners
to take proof and decide upon the weight OF
conflicting testimony and to Issue certif-
Gates when the terms of the law are COM
piled with.
Section five prohibits all who have not
| complied with the law from voting. and
makes swearing falsely under its provisions
| perjury.
| Section six requires the Secretary OF
| State % provide the Commissioners with all
necessary blanks at the expense Of the
State.
Section seven requires the Governor to
issue writs Of election to commanding
officers Of tennessee soldiers in the service
ofthe State or United States, to give them
an opportunity to vote ia all general OF
special elections.
Section eight nulli6es all certificates
issued under the act of June 5, 1865, and
holds valid all that were Itqally issued I'M
der the act Of May 3, 1866
Section nine requires all candidates for
Office 10 take the oath prescribed in thi,
act before the day Of election-ihose fol
county Offices TO be fled in the office Of Ia,
County Court-all others TO be filed with
the Secretary Of State. Those excepted
from the disfranehising elsuse Of the Isl
section Of this act are not required to take
the candidates oath.
Section ten eEacis that shoHld any Conn
~ Court refuse to induct into Office any per
sons elected under this act, the Commis-
sioner of Registration shall perform thai
dnty The judges and clerks Of all cleo
tions shall hereafter be- selected and APP
pointed by the Commissioners OF Regislra
ton.
Section eleven provides, where the regis
tratiOn is completed and the Commissioner
of Registration hss 20 reported 10 the Gov
4 a l. l..