The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1867-04-03
M + s \ AG z

Nj X SIS "A u r
or the President Of the United States, vstoing the
Bill Supplementary to the Military Bill.
TO he Hosse Of Representatives
/ have considered the bill eRiitled /" An
act supple ementary 10 an act eHtit!ed An
ac, 10 provide for the..more efficient govern
ment uf the rebel S;ates," passed March
9, 1867, and to facilitate restora tiop, and
pow re,nrn il to the House Of Representa-
tives. with my objections.
This bill provides for elections in the tsp
States brought under the operation Of the
original act 10 which u is supplementary.
lis details are principally directed 10 the
elections for the fsrmation Of the State con-
tsiiutions. but--by the sixth section OF the
bill !" all elections" in these States, seeur-
ring while the original &C. remains in fsree,
are brought wiltrh its purview.
Referring to the dstaiIs, II will be i"nnd
that. first oi all, there is TO be registra-
tion Of the voters. No one whose name has
mot been admitted on the list is 10 be allow
ed 10 vote al any of these elections. 70
ascertain who u eRtitled 10 registration. re-
terence u made necessary. by the express
langusge &c the supplement, 70 the original
act aud 10 the pending bill. The ff,h sec
tim OF the original act provides. as 70 vo-
tiers, that they shall be " male citizens oi
the State, twenty one years old and up
ward, Of whatever race, color, or previous
condition. who have been resident of SAID
State Tor me year" This Is the general
qualification, followed, however, by many
exceptions. No one can be registered. &C.
cording to the original act, who may be
d,sfranchised for participation in the rebel.
liop," a provision which lett undetermined
the question as to what amounted TO dis.
franchlsem Mt, and, whether, without a Judi
eia. sentence, the act itself produced tha'
effect.
This supplemental hill superadds al
oath, to be taken BY every person befor,
his name eas be admitted upon the regis
tration. that he has not been disiranchis
ell Tor participation in any rebellion or CT
vii war against the United States" IL thu
imposes upon every person the nccessit!
aud responsibility Of deciding Tor himself
under tie peril Of punishment by mlllt'
~ commission, il he makes mistake, wha
works Acknowledgement by participation
an rebellion, aud what alnnunts 10 such par
ticipaiion. Almost every man-the negr
d, well a. tile white--abose t~enty.nn
wears Of age. who was resident ~ these tci
States during the rebellion. voluntarIl
ar in,oluniaiily, AZ some time and ~ som
way did participate IN resistance 10 ~
lawful authority Of the General Govern
tprnt.
The question with the citizen 10 whor
this oath is 10 be proposed must be teariu
one /; for, while tie bill does not declar
that perjury may be assigned for such tails
swearing. nor hx any penalty for ,hs ol
fence, we must not lorget that martial Ia,
prevails. that every person is sRswerabl
to mililaey commission, without prevlou
presentnent by grand jury, for any charg
taat may be made against; him and iha: III
supreme authority Of the military ccmmal
DIR determines the question as TO what
a, offence, and what is to be the measur
et punishment.
.fhe fourth section Of the bill proyiI,
",hat the commanding general of each d.
triet shall appoint a. many bIards Of reg
tration as may be necessary, consisting
three loyal officers or persons" The on
justification stated Tor these officers is III
tn,y must be "loyal." They may be pc
sons in the military service. or civilian
residents &c the State or strangers. \
these persons are % exercise most impo
tant datlr,, aud are vested with unllmlt'
discretion. They are 70 decide what nam'
shall be placed upon the register, and iro
their decision there is TO be no appeu
They are 10 superintena the elections. a.
10 decide all questions which may aris
They are TO have the custody OF the ballo
and 10 make return Of the persons electe
Whatever frauds or errors they may COZ
mi, must pass without redress. All that
left for the commanding general 10 TO :
ceiye the returns of the elections, open &