The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-06-05
Registration,

Its1iAff elSHHiiEIH IA iS tss4ta buH Gi5iHl9a ~
the Atorney General il the application Of the military
bill. Some OF contemporaries esli it able and
talented paper, but re must confess thai
ble o see the point unless ts great lensih and the
adroitfess with which il dodses tue most doubtful
questions at Issue AS its great length will preclude
many from reading il, We give the following summary
Of the most important points, copied lfom the New
Orleans Republican:
A previous residence Of aa entire year should not
apply to registration.
i citizen Of the United States and of The State
should be registered but he cannot vote until his res
idence at the time OF election covers full year..
The age Of twenfy-one years must be completed at
the time Of registry, and not anticipated at the time
of election.
The mere fact Of participation in the rebellion or
commission of felonous etfense does not Of itself
work disfranchisement It must be ascertaned By
Judgment of court Legislative att passed ny compe-
tent authority.
Legislative act 1.-THE reconstruction blls) establishes
this dslranchisement to be holding certain Offices
taking official oahs by certain officers and afterward
participating in rebellion against the United States
AS to officers of States: State legislators and mem
bers of Congress clearly designated
Members OF ordinary constitutional conventions are
not included.
Members Of conventions passing secession ordi-
naiceS are Included us clearly legislative.
Officers of the militia previous 10 the rebellion are
not included
All officers known by the popular description oil
State officers as governor lieutenant governor audi
tor treasurer secretary Of State, and those who
ercse functions State officers the seat of govern
ment included.
officers of cities, toWls villages, and subordinate
and municipal, whether their functions are executive
oriudicial, are not included.
The subordinate officers of State Legislatures are
notincluded.
Mr.. stanbery reserves the opinion the question
OF sherls justices Of county courts t.nd other officers
whose jurisdiction was over the whole county, until
he learns from each State what the function Of
those particular officers and the oath BY them taken
All other officers county officers, are executive
or judicial officers, and are included
Persons employed to perform special duties by law
not officers boards of commissioners of public
works. directors Of State asylGms visitors of State
universities directors Of State penitenares directors
of banks or other corporations special commissioners
Or agents appointed by the governor other State
authority to perform special duties, examiners of
banks, notanes public and commissioners to take &C.
acknowledgements of deeds, and lawyers are not in
Guided.
The oath to the United States Constitution: The
oath was sary to be taken, but practical ques
ton will arise here for by the Constitution Of the
United States all persons in State offices required
to take this oath.
As to United States officers: Legislative executive,
judicial and military federal officers included. The
reason the rule is general to United States of
fcers is that they stood in direct relation and
trust to the United States han officers of State.
Engagingin rebeon-aia and comfort Every
citizen in the rebel States during the late rebellion is
to be considered public enemy By the acts Of Con
gress.
Engaging in the rebellion is active rather than pas
sve, conduct; voluntary, rather than compulsory,
action.
Any person who did any overt act for the purpose
Of promoting rebellion engaged in the rebellion.
All persons who during the rebellion acted in Of
fetal capacity to support the rebellion within the
terms OF exclusion, and cannot be registered.
Those officers during the rebellion whose duties
were to preserve order and administer the law are not
within the terms Of exclnsio such judges, county
officers, and city officers,
Some direct act done with the intent to further the
rebellion necessary.
Disloyal sentiment Or expressions were not suti
cient.
Acts of common huInality and charity are not sufi-
cicnt, forced contributions hen levied and
paid.
Voluntary contributions in furtherance of the re-
belIion subscriptions to rebel oans organised contri
buttons of food, clothing supplies, except strictly
sanitary, are included.
There is authority for any other oath to be taken
than the law directs and perjury could not be assigned
on any other oath administered.
If the applicant takes the oath in the law, his
must go the registry. Iffllse he only be tried
for perjury.
There is 10 provision anywhere to change falsify,
Or to add single name to the registration to
single name which appears upon it,
The rule of construction to clauses which give /
light to those who enjoyedit before must be
ibcral and the clause which derogates from existing
light those who previously enjoyed it must be strict
hat more should not be excluded who clearly
within the letter and intent of the exclusion.
Where there is dout according to the rule of con-
tructfo which has been referred TO for officers that
loubt be solved in favor Of rather than against
he right of the voter
Two elements must3concur-lst. Holding the deS-
grated Office, State or federal, accompanied by an
ath to support the Constitution Of the United States
nd 3D. Engagirg'in rebellion giving aid or com
ort to its enemies and they must in the or
,er mentioned.