Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-02-29
fend his suit in his own proper person or by

Sec. 22. In the courts of this state there shall be no exclusion of any witness in civil actions because he is party to, or is inter ested in the issue to be tried. and no person convicted of infamous crime shall be 8 com potent witness in any case. without the con- sent of both parties to the controversy; Pro- vided. That in actions by or against execu- tors. administrators or guardians, in which judgment may be rendered for or against them, neither party shall be allowed totcstify against the other as to any transactions with or state- mcnts to the testator, intestate or ward, un- less called thereto by the opposite party, or required to testify thereto by the court, The judges of the supreme court and all inferior courts shall be conscrvators of the peace throughout their respective jurisdictions.
 ARTICLE VIII.
 FRANCHISE.
 Sec. |. In all elections by the peo- pie the electors shall vote by ballot.
 Sec. 2. Every male person born ill the United States, and every male person Tho has been naturalized or has legal ly declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States, who is twenty-one years old or upwards, and who shall have resided in the State six months next preceding the election, and who at the time is an actual resi- dent of the county in which he offers to vote, except as hereinafter provided, shall be deemed an elector; Provided. No soldier, or sailor, or marine, in the military or naval service of the United States, shall acquire residence by reason of being stationed on duty in this State.
 Sec. 3. The following classes shall not be permitted to register or hold of flee, viz:
 lst. Those who during the rebellion took the oath of allegiance, or gave bonds for loyalty and good behavior to the United States government, ansl afterwards gave aid, comfort or coun- tenance to those engaged in armed hos tility to the government of the United States, either by becoming soldier in the rebel army, or by entering the lines of said army, or adhering in any way to the cause of rebellion, or by accom- panying any armed forces belonging to the rebel army, or by furnishing sup plies of any kind to the same.
 2nd. Those who are disqualified as electors, or from holding office in the State or States from which they came.
 3d. Those persons who during the late rebellion violated the rules of civ ilized warfare.
 4th. Those who may be disqualified by the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States, known as Article XIV, and those who have been disqualified from register ing to vote for delegates to the Con vention to frame Constitution for the State of Arkansas, under the act of Congress entitled "An act to provide Flor the more efficient government of the rebel States passed March 2nd, 1867, and the acts supplemental thereto.
 9th. Those who shall have been con victcd oftreason, embezzlement of pub lie funds, malteasance in office, crimes punishable by law with Imprisonment in the penitentiary, or bribery.
 9th. Those who are idiots or insane,
 Provided. That all persons included in the lst, 2nd, 3d and 4th subdivisions of this section, who have openly advo- cated or who have voted for the recon struction proposed by Congress. and accept the equality of all men before the law, shall be deemed qualified elec- tors under this Constitution.
 Sec. 4. The General Assembly shall have the power, by two-thirds vote of each house, approved by the Cover nor, to remove the disabilities includ- ed in the lst, 2nd, 3d and 4th sub-d- visions of section three. of this article. when it appears that such person ap- plying for relief from such disabilities, has in good faith returned to his alle- glance to the government of the Uni- ted States; Provided, the General As sembly shall have no power to remove the disabilities of any person embraced in the aforesaid subdivisions who, af- ter the adoption of this Constitution by the convention, persists in opposing the acts of congress and reconstruction hereunder.
 Sec. 5. All persons before register ing or voting must take and subscribe the following oath ''I, -, do sol emnly swear Cor affirm) that will support and maintain the constitution and laws of the United States, and the constitution and laws of the State of Arkansas that am not excluded from registering or voting by any of the clauses in the first, second, third or fourth subdivisions cf article VIII of the constitution of the State of Arkan- sas; that l will never countenance or aid in the secession of this State from the United States; that l accept the civil and political equality of all men, and agree not to attempt to deprive any person or persons, on account of race, color or previous condition, of any political or civil right, privilege or immunity enjoyed by any other class Of men; and, furthermore, that I will not in any way injure, countenance in others any attempt to injure any per- son or persons on account of past or present support of the government of the United States, the laws of the Uni- ted States or Nse principle of the polit- ical and civil equality of all men, or for aiiiliation with any political party, Pro- vided, That if any person shall know ingly and falsely take any oath in this constitution prescribed, such person SO blending, and being thereof duly con. victed, shall be subject to the pains, penalties and disabilities, which. by law are provided for the punishment of wfllful and corrupt perjury.
 Sec. 6. Electors shall in alr eases ex- cept treason, felony. or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest and civil process during their attendance at elections, and in going to and return- ing from the same.
 Sec. [. It Shall be the duty of the General Assembly to enact adequate laws giving protection against the evils arising from the use of intoxicating liquors at elections.
 ARTICLE K.
 EDUCATION,
 See. l. A general diffusion of knowl- edge and intelligence among all classes. being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people. The General Assembly shall establish and maintain system of free schools, for the gratnitous instruction of ali