Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-02-26
The New Reconstruction Act.

The bill ''to guaranty to certain states,
whose governments have been usurped or
oyerthroWn, a republican form of govern
mcnf''-fcportcd to the House of Repre-
seutatves by Mr.. Henry Winter Davis on
the 18th instant, from the Select Committee
on the Rcbcllious States--reduces TO
practical form the plan proposed in the
Presidents Amnesty Proclamation.
ltproyides for the appointment by the
President of u Provisional Governor i'll any
rcbellious state. who shall make an enroll
mcnt of all the white male citizens and
administer the oath of allegiance. When
oae-tentll of the voters shall have taken
the oath, the Governor is to issue procla-
nation for the election of delegates to. 81
state convention. This convention is to
consist Of the same number of members ~
the last constitutional legislature convened
in the state; all soldiers from the state
Who are in the service of the United States
being permitted to vote at their respective
headquarters. No person can be elected
a delegate who has held office under the
rebels or served in tie rebel service. The
fifth section of the hill defines the manner
of holdn" the election, and directs that
the roll-hooks lie returned 10 the Protis-
ional Governor The delegates elected arc
to he convened within three months after
the day of election: the time to he fixed by
proclamation Of the Provisional Governor,
abo shall designate for the Phcc of meet
iag either the capital Of the state or
some other locality, as he may deem ex-
ptl!gHt. The convention. duly organized
bt the Provisional Governor, shall declare,
on behalf Of the people Of the state.
their Submission to the constitution and
law, of the United States aud shall adopt
the following provisions;
- First. No person vile has held or cI
c5ei>ed auy Office, civil or military state
or Confederate. under tie usurping power
sh4ll eo., For or he member of the beg
i-la;gre - governor.
Second. Involuntary seryitude is for,
ever prof.. iitcd, and the freedom Of all
persons is guaranteed in said state.
Third. M debt, state or Confcier-
ate, created ty OF under the sanction of
tie uSuHiug power, shall be recognised
or paid 'y the state"
\ new statc constitution containing
thee provisions is 10 he submitted TO tho
fuzr al the people, and if ratified. the
President shall then recognise the state
.as-eFHaHi and the due congressional
representation he aloned. If, however,
tHe convention shall refuse 10 rc.eStablish
tie state government on these conditions,
the Provisional Governor i dirtcted to dis
solve Il; but ii i. made the dutF of the
President Ia order another election whcn-
ever he las reason 10 believe that n sui
Eeiaut Ga4ahof If l9yaluen ere willing TO.
5.he eonaitiuns. Until the recos-
NIXON al a stale government, taxes are to
he annually LEVIED by direction Of the
Provisional Governor, a. nearly as POS
sille IN tac manner prescribed ly the
state laws. III slaves are emancipatcd
and any person attempting
10 ~. ;tcm to bondage is punishable,
IN conviction. by fine Of not less than
ai5ccu hundred dollars end imprisonment
Tor nct la. than fye nor moro than twenty
years.
The fourteenth and concluding section
o, tic a.; declares that every person
aAe stail hereafter hold or cxcIcise any
office, ci,il or military. in The rebel service
state er Confederate" i Ito longer
citizen 81 lAe United States Ercaing
p.