New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-05-03

The Richmond papers contain the new
constitution adopted last Friday by the
state convention under the reconstruction
laws; 1t is feared by many persons that the
article relating to the elective franchise is
so rigorous and restrictive in character, ex.
Lending much further than that passed by
/ Congress, that it will cause the rejection Of
the Constitution. 1t establishes universal
suffrage, with the disqualification of idiots.
| lunatlcs, persons convicted of bribery in
elections, treasOa, felony, embezzlement Of
puohc funds or engaging in duels, and also
rs IN section four, which is as follows:
Every person who has been a Senator or
Representative in Congress, or elector of
President or Vice-President, or who held
any office, civil or military, under the
United States or under any State, pre-.
vlously having taking the oath as member
| OF Congress or as an officer of the United
States, or as member of any State Legis-
latnre, or as executive or Judicial officer
she'll have engaged in instruction or rebel.
lion against the same, or given aid or com
fort to the enemies thereof-this clause shall
include the following officers: Governor.
Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State
Auditor of Public Accounts, Second AN.
ditor, Register of Land Office, State Treas.
urer, Attorney General Sheriffs, Sergeant
of city or town, Commissioner of Rev.
enue, County Surveyor, Constables, Over.
seer OF the Poor Commissioner Board of
Public Works, Judges of the Supreme Court.
Judges of Circuit courts, Judges OF
Court of Hastings, Justices Of County
courts, Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, Coun.
cilmen Of a city or town, Coroners, Escheat.
ors, Inspectors of Tobacco Flour. etc.
Clerks of Supreme, District, Circuit, and
County courts and Court of Hastings. and
attorneys for Commonwealth provided,
that the Legislature may, by vote of three
fiiths of both Houses, remove the disabilities
incurred by this clause from any person in
cluded therein by separate vote in each
case"
The other sections of this article provide
that all elections shall be by ballot. that
otlce-holding shall be open to all voters:
that all persons entitled TO hold office shall
be allowed to sit as jurors; and that the
General Assembly shall pass the registration
law at the next session.
The oath of office for all city, county, and
State offices is as follows: Il do solemnly
swear Cor afhrm) that have never volunts.
rily borne arms against the United States
since l have been citizen thereof. that |
have voluntarily given no aid, counsel
countenance, or encouragement to persons
engaged in armed hostility thereto, that |
have never bought, nor accepted, nor at
tempted to exercise the functions of any
Office whatever, under any authority or pre-.
tended authority in hostility to the United
States that ] have not yielded a voluntary
support to any pretended government, au.
thority, power, or constitution within the
United States hostile or inimical thereto;
and do further swear Cor afirm) that to the
best of my knowledge and ability | will
support and defend the Constitution of the
United States, against all enemies, foreign
and domestic; that / will bear true faith
and allegiance to the same; that take this
obligation freely, without any mental res
eryation or purpose of evasion; and that
will well and faithfully discharge the duties
OF the office on which / am about to enter.
So help me Cod"
1t is provided that disabilities under this
oath may be removed by a three.ffths vote
OF the Assembly, but State officers must also
take the following oath;
81 solemLly swear or affirm that / will
support and maintain the Constitution and
laws of the United States, and Constitution
and laws of the State of Virginia, that /
recognize and accept civil and political
equality of all men before laws, and that
will faithfully perform the duty of - to
the best of my ability. So help me God"