Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-05-04
gglatrbman & Stair Journal.
BY Z. P. WALTON.
MONTPELIER, MAY 4, 1866.

THE Plan OF THE RECONSTRUCTION COMMIT
rEr.-The following is the text Of the proposition
which the Reconstruction Committee reported to
the House on Monday. BY vote of lO7 to 20
il was made a special order for Tuesday, Wednes-
day, and Thursday of next week
A Joint resolution proposing an amendment TO the
Constitution Of the United Stotes.
BE il resolved by the Senate and House Of Rep
resentatives Of the United States Of America in
Congress assembled, both Houses concurring
that the following article be proposed to the Leg
isatures of the several States as an amendment TO
the Constitution of the United States, which,
when ratified by three-fourths Of said Legislatures,
shall be valid as part of the Constitution, namely
Article. Section /. No State shall make or
enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges
or immunities Of citizens Of the United States nor
shall any State deprive any person of life liberty,
or property without due process Of law, nor deny
to any person within its jurisdiction the equal pro-
lection Of the laws.
Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportoned
among the several States which may be included
within this Union, according to their respective
numbers, counting the whole number Of persons
in each state, excluding Indians not taxed. But
whenever in any State the elective franchise shall
be denied to any portion of its male citizens not
less than twenty-one years of age, or in any way
abridged, except for participation in the rebellion
other crime, the basis Of representation in such
State shall be reduced in the proportion which the
number Of such male citizens shall bear to the
whole number Of male citizens not less than TWEEN
ty-one years of age.
Sec g. Until the 4th day Of July, 1870, all
persons who voluntarily adhered to the late insur-
rection, giving it aid and comfort shall be ex-
cluded from the right TO vote for members Of Con-
gress and for Electors for President and Vice
President Of the United States.
Sec. A. Neither the United Statas nor any
State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation
already incurred or which may be hereafter in
Cured in aid of the instruction against the
United States, or any claim for compensation for
loss Of involuntary service OF labor.
Sec. 3. That Congress shall have power to en-
force by appropriate Legislation the provisions Of
this article.
A Blu to Propide for the Restoration Oft
States Lately in Rebellion 10 their Full
Political Rights.
Whereas, 1t is expedient that the States lately
in instruction should, at the earliest day consist
ent with the future peace and safety of the Union,
be restored TO full participation in all political
rights and whereas the Congress did by joint
resolution propose for ratification to the Legsla-
lures Of the several States as an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States an article in the
following words to wit Ohe above constitutional
article is here inserted) now, therefore,
Be it further enacted, etc, That whenever the
above recited amendment shall have become part
of the Constitution, and any State lately in insur-
rection shall have ratified the same, and shall have
modified its Constitution and laws in conformity
Herewith, the Senators and Representatives from
such State, il found duly elected and qualified,
may, after having taken the required oaths Of office,
be admitted into Congress.
Second And be it further enacted that when
any State lately in nsurrection shall have ratified
the foregoing proposed amendment to the Consti-
tuition, any part OF the direct tax under the act Of
August 5, 1861, which may remain due and unpaid
in such State, may be assumed and paid by such
surances from such State, to be given to the Sec
rotary of the Treasury of the United States, may
be postponed for period not exceeding ten years
from and after the passage of this act.
A btH declaring certain persons ineligible TO Of
flee under the government Of the United States.
Be it enacted etc. that no person shall be ell
igible to any office under the government of the
United States who is included in any Of the fol-
lowing classes, namely
First, The President and Vice President of the
Confederate States of America, so called, and the
heads of departments thereof
Second those who in other countries acted as
agents of the Confederate States OF America, so
called
Third, Heads of Departments of the United
ed States and all persons educated in the Military
or Naval Academies of the United States, Judges
| of the Courts OF the United States, and members
of either HOUSE of the Thirty-sixth Congress of
the United States, who gave aid or comfort to the
late rebellion.
Fourth, those who acted as officers of the Con-
federate States of America, so called above the
grade of Colonel in the Army, or Master in the
Navy, or any one who as Governor of either OF
the so called Confederate States gave aid or com
fort TO the late rebellion.
Fifth, those who have treated officers or soldiers
or sailors of the Army or Navy of the United
States, captves during the late war, otherwise
than lawfully as prisoners Of war.
The Now York Heralds Washington cores
pondence states that the vote in the Committee on
the proposition stood twelve to three, Senator
johnson and Representatives Order and Rogers
| Dems.) voting in the negative.
WASHINGTON, May l.
Gov. Boutwell, gave notice to-day in the House
that he will, at the proper time propose the fol-
lowing amendment to the " Bill TO provide for the
Restoration of the States in Instruction to their
full political rights Strike out the first section
of the bill and insert in lieu thereof the following
Now therefore, be it enacted, &c, that when
ever the above recited amendment shall have be-
come part of the Constitution, and Tennessee or
Arkansas snail have ratified the same and shall
have modified its Constitution and laws in con-
formity herewith, and shall have established an
equal and just system OF suffrage for all its male
citizens within its jurisdiction who are not less
than 81 years of age the Senators and Represen-
tatives from such State, If found duly elected and
qualified, may, after having taken the required
Oaths of Office be admitted into Congress as such
provided that nothing in this section contained
shall be constructed as TO require the dis
enfranchisement of any loyal person who is now
entitled to vote.
Mr.. Bingham also sent up a substitute which he
proposed to offer for the bill, which was also Or
dered to be printed. II provides that whenever
any State lately in insurrecton shall have ratified
in good faith and irrevocably then above amend
ment and modified its Senators and representa-
tives from such State, il found duly elected and
qualified, may after having taken the oaths of office
required by law, be admitted into Congress as
such.
THE RECONSTRUCTION SCHEME is terribly of
fensive to the New York Times and some of the
copperhead journals, and all the rest will follow
their lead OF course the tendency of all this will
be to make the rebels more and more dissatisfied,
and put further of the day of reconstruction and
peace. Now, had not Congress better drop every
scheme of Cancellation and mercy, and allow the
statutes for confscating property and hanging all
the rebels, to be put in force at once2 That will
clear the way, and make the rebel states loyaI
sf0fse 81 IN ha adp,,ttaI 20