Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-11-20
A REcoNsTRUCTIos BILL.

RECONSTRUCTION BILL.
We understand that the following bill has
been drafted and presented to several Sena-
tors and Representatives and will probably
be offered Immediately after the organization
of the House, if it is not previously intro
duced in the Senate. 1t is known that sew
eral leading gentlemen from the South ap-
prove Of the main features of the bill:
An act to provide for the organization Of govern
ments for the States heretofore in rebellion
Be it enacted By tie Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of ths United States of AHsr-
ira, ia Congress assembled That, in order to
enable tho people of the States heretofore in
rebellion to resume their relations to the
Federal Union, a Governor shall be appointed
by tho President, by aud with the advice and
consent of the Senate, for each of the said
States, to wit: Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, aud
Arkansas; and the government in each Of the
said States shall be instituted and conducte
as follows: The Governor shall have the power
Of appointment of all executive and judicial
officers within the State, according to the
laws of the State in force at the time of his
entering into Office, except such laws OF en-
actments as may have been passed Dy
with the sO-called Confederate government
after the passage Of the ordinance of seces-
sion in such State. The salary of the Gov
ernor shall be as provided by the laws Of the
State.
Sec. 2. And be it FURTHER enacted, That the
Governor shall appoint and cause to be organ.
lied, according to the laws of the State su.
preme and inferior courts therein, which shall
administer justice, and be governed in their
IL eli hN~N L. .FN q + r.
the entering into Office Of the Governor here
in provided for, except such laws or enact
ments as may have been passed by Legis.
lature recognizing and cooperating with the
so called confederate government after the
passage of the ordinance Of secession n such
State, and excepting further all laws recOg-
n!zing the institution Of slavery or distinc-
tions between the rights and privileges of
citizens before the law on account Of color.
Sec. 3. And DO IL further enacted, That
the proclamations and public orders Of the
Governor shall have the force and effect of
law: PTOTided, That any part Of such proc
lamations or orders that may conflict with or
repeal any law or part OF q law of the State,
in force as aforesaid, shall require the ap-
proval Of the President of tho United States,
and bo duly promulgated with such approval
before having the force of law.
Sec 4. And be it FURTHER enacted, That
lue uONeEHOT snail, as soon as ne shaU hnd H
practical and expedient or when thereto spe-
cially instructed by the President of the Uni
ted States, proceed to cause one or more re-
gistries for voters to be opened in each of the
counties Of the State. He shall appoint regis
tiers and make such regulations as may be
necessary in carrying on the registering Of
the voters. All male inhabitants born in the
United States, or naturaliZed as citizens
thereof, or who have declared their intentions
-. ~.
following oath, be considered and placed upon
the registry as qualified voters:
I,-- do solemnly swear Tor arm) that
am citizen Of the United States, Tor havo de-
ClarCd my intention to become u c!tzen,) and
have resided three months in this State aud
county, with the intention OF remaining and be-
ing citizen thereof have never been an off =
Ger, civil or military, Of tho so-called COnfede-
rate government, and ! have never as IN oficer,
member Of the Legislature, or convention Of this
State, voted for, signed, or advocated the passage
Of any ordinance Of secession. | disclaim, re-
nOunce, and repudtate all allegiance to or au-
thortty Ol any government or pretended govern
mont In hostility to the United States, and ac-
ywledge all legislative enactments or laws
passed by such pretended authority to be void.
including all so.called debts Of the State, or of
any county, incurred on account or In promotion
OF tue rebellion. | deny the right Of any State
10 secede from the Unted States, which is a
Government Of perpetual union. will observe
aud abide by all enRCtments % the Congress Of
the Uuited States aud prOClamatiOus Of the Pres
ident, made since the beginning Of the rebellion
VITA reference to slaves. | take this oath Tor
athrmatiou) IN good faith for the purpose Of aid
ing aud participating in the formation Of a State
government, loyal to the United States and re.
publican in form, under and In acceptance Of the
provision OF tho Constitution ofthe United States
guaranteeing to each State a republican form Of
government,
Sec. 5. AMI be ii fWyther enacted, That as
soon as full opportunity shall have been
given to all qualified persons to register
han 1uaa ha
the number thereof be not less than three
fourths of the number Of votes cast in the
State in the Presidential election of 1850,
call a convention which shall be apportior ed
among the several counties according to se
number Of qualified voters as shown by the
several registres. The number Of members of
the convention shall be fixed by the Cover
nor, but shall not be less than the number of
members Of the last Legislature on joint bal.
lot. majority Of the whole number shall
DC necessary for a quorum. The convention
shall draft constitution to be submitted to
the qualified voters for ratification So soon
ttS ShG congress 0s the United States is satis-
heE 'nu' 'he said constitution is Republican
tvi W. anu represents the voluntary desire
ol the majority Of the people of the State 10
organize state Government LOYAL to the
Opiteu STATES ana republican in form and
sup''"noe' :! SnaIl so declare by bill and
thereafter the state government, organized
according TO the provisions of this act, shall
be deemed the legitimate and recogniyed
government Of the State; the inhsbitanIs nr
the State shall bo relieved of all restrictioDs
and disabilities aPpertaining, or specially
applying to States or districts in insurrec.
lonj and the State shall be entitled to rem.
presentation in both branches of Congress,
and the choice of electors for President and
Vice President Of the United States in regu.
lar elections for the same.