Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-06-05

Proposed Constitutional Amendment.

The Senate caucus have proposed substitute
for the report of the Reconstruction Committee
amending the Constitution. 1t was offered in
the Senate by Mr. Howard of Michigan, and
it is supposed that it will pass. The caucus
substitute reads as follows:
JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT
TO TIE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
Resolcea By the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatices Of tie United States Of america IN
Congress assembled (t,co-thirds of both Houses
coacmring, That the following article be pro-
posed to the Legislatures 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 1-Al persons born in the United
States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof
are citizens of the United States and of the
States wherein they reside. 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 protection of the laws.
Section 2-Representatives shall be appor-
included within the 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 It's
male inhabitants being citizens of the United
States not less than tWenty-one years of age, or
In any way abridged, except for participation in
rebellion or other crime, the basis of represent
alton III such State shall be reduced in the pro-
portion which the number of such male citizens
shall bear to the whole number of male citizens
not less than twenty-one years of age in such
State.
Section 3.-No person shall be Senator or
Representative In Congress, or eector of Presi-
dent and Vice-P President, or hold any office.
civil Or military, under the United States, or
under any State, who, having previously taken
an oath as a member of Congress, or as an Off
Ger Of the United States, or as member of any
State Legislature, or as an executive Or judicial
officer OF any State, to support the Constitution
OF the United States, shall have engaged in in
surrectlon or rebellion against the same, or given
aud and comfort to the enemies thereof But
Congress may by vote of tWo-thirds of each
House remove such disability
Section 4.-The obligations of the United
States incurred in suppressing instruction, or
IN defence OF the Union, or for payment of
bounties or pensions incident thereto, shall re-
main inviolate.
Section 5.--Neither the United States nor
any State shall assume or pay any debt or obi
cation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebel
lion against the United States, or any claim for
compensation for the loss or emancipation of
any slave; but all such debts, obligations, and
claims shall be forever held illegal and void
Section 6.-The Congress shall have power to
enforce by appropriate legislation the provisions
of this article.