Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-06
ALABAMA.
The Progress of the COnVeBGiOn-Suf-
frage and the Test Oafh-sen. Pope
Observation-Disclosures eie.


The Progress Of the COnVeBGiOn-Saf.
frage and the Test Oafh-Gen. Pope
fsed-sIiseegenaftOn, eie.
The following was specially telegraphed
from Montgomery to the Cincinnati Ga
zette, on the Sd inst
A long and exciting debate took place
in the convention to-day upon the oath of
office. The oath reported some days ago
| BY the majority of the committee on that
subject, aud which was similar to the Con-
gressional test oath, although not quite so
thorough, was first taken up. Various
! substitutes were offered and laid on the
table. proposition to substitute the Con-
| gressional test oath, received bnt nineteen
votes. Finally, Mr.. Dustan, of Marengo,
proposed as a substitute, an oath TO support
! the eOnstitatioaaof tire United StateS and
| the constitution and laws OF Alabama
| The convention agreed TO adopt this, and
then commenced struggle TO amend it..
| The entire afternoon was consumed in the
debate.
Mr.. Griffin, of Mobile, wanted the cor
rect doctrine, namely: that the oath should
| not exclude any one from holding office
who was admitted to vote.
Mr.. Bingham, of Limestone, thereupon
introduced an amendment prohibiting any
one from holding office in Alabama who is
disfranchised BY the constitution or laws
of the United States, or the constitution of
Alabama. This was adopted by a large
majority, and Mr.. Dustan's substitute, thus
amended, was passed.
The person, therefore, holding office in
this State, under the new constitution, must
swear that he is not disfranchised as above /;
that he will support the constitution of the
| United States and the constitution and
laws of Alabama that he will support the
Union of the States, and that he will
faithfully discharge the duties of his Of
fee.
The convention refused to take from the
table the section proposed some days ago
by Mr.. Griffin, of Mobile, which empow-
cred the first Legislature, assembled under
the constitution, to alter or amend the fran
ehise article.
It's said that the committee having the
matter in charge, will recommend about
three hundred individuals TO Congress for
the removal of disabilities. This univer-
sal and premature action is disapproyed by
Az the more earnest Unionists in the con-
yention.
The convention, in the afternoon, took
up the proposed section to the constitution
prohibiting intermarriage between blacks
and whites, and after brief and spirited
debate, indefinitely postponed the whole
subject
Gen. Pope telegraphed Gen. Swayne
December I'd, asking if the convention
cannot be induced to adjourn without fur
ther legislation, and says the convention is
doing incalculable injury to reconstruction
by its late action. This ia the second dis.
patch of the same tenor by Gen. Pope
| The convention has not yet fixed day
for adjournment. The members declare
Gen. Pope's dispatch insulting.
The convention to-day passed an ordi.
nance exempting from seizure from deb
one thousand dollars worth of persona
property and homestead of eighty acres
of land for the head of each family.
An ordinance was passed to its seconc
reading suspending all courts of the State
except the Supreme, Probate and Crimina
COurts
An ordinance staying the collection o
: all debts until January lst, passed.
1t is understood that the military com
manders will enforce all ordinances passe'
! ! by the convention.
DISTRIBUTING THE PLUMBER.
2 The Republican nominating convention
E held at the capitol tonight, nominated 70
f Governor A. J. Applegate, of Madison
/ The proceedings of the convention wer
I harmonious and enthusiastic thorough
4 good nominations were made for all othe
2 State officers. The effect of these nomins
f tions will be to strengthen materially tn
q Union cause in Alabama, and insure tn
4 ratification of the new constitution by sa
r 10000 majority.