Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-05-08
The Reconstruction Committee-Fina1
Report made on Monday-The Plans.

A prOtracted meeting of the committee On
Reconstruction was held ON Saturday morn.
ing, aud it was finally decided by a large ma.
jOrity-twelve out of the fifteen members vot-
ing in the affirmative report on Monday
the following bills:
a Bill to provide for the restoration of the
States in insnrreetion to their full political
rights.
Whereas, 1t is expedient that the States
lately In instruction should, at the earliest
uay consistent with the future peace aud safe
oil tins Union, be restored to full participa-
u0n NJ! IN all political rights; aud
,u.i n"ereHS' the Congress did, BY joint reso-
luton, propose for ratification to the Leoisla-
lures OF the several States as an amendmemt
10 the Constitution of the United States nm
article IN the following words, to wit.
lMnt resolution proposing an amendment
to the Constitution of the United States.
Re 1t enacted By the Sera ate anil Horse of
Htl'reSe'Hctises '.fthe Gniteel States of dD,er;-
CT "a Congress assembled (two>thirds ofbotb
Houses concurring, That the following art;.
Gle be proposed to the Legislatures of the sew
eral States as an amendment to the Const;tn.
ton OF the United States, which. when rati6ed
by three>tourths of said Legislatures shall he
valid as part of the Constitution, namely:
ARTICLE.
Sec. l. No State shall make or enforce
any law which ubridges the privileges or i'm.
mumtles OF citizens of the United States nor
shall any State deprive any person of life, lib
erty or property without due process of law
nor deny to any person within its jurisdictions
the equal protection of the laws.
SIC. 2. Representatives shall be apportion-
cd DmpOO tho SnCarol ,,L;,l
cludcd within this Union according to tbc;r
respective numbers, counting the whole num-
Der OF persons i'll each, excluding Indians not
taxed. But whenever III any State the cleo
tive franchise shall be denied to any portion
OF its male citizens not less than twenty.opo
years OF age, or in any way abridged, except
Tor participation in rebellion or other crimes
the basis ut representation in such State shall
be reduced in the proportion which the num-
heF OF such male citizens shall bear 10 the
whole number of male citizens not less than
twcntyonc years of age
SEC .. Until the Fourth day ofJulv, 1870.
all persons who voluntarily adhered to the late
lnsurrection, giving it aid and comfort, shall
be excluded from the right to vote for mcn,
bers of Congress- aud for electors for pIesI>
dent and Vice President of the United States.
SFc /. Neither tho Uuited States nor any
State shall assume or pay any debt or oblig,r>
tlcn already incurred, or which may hereafter
be incurred, in aid of instruction or of war
against the United States or any claim for
compensation for loss OF involuntary service
Of labor.
SEC. ). Congress shall have power to en-
force, by appropriate Legislation, the provisions
Of this article.
NOw, Murcforc, be e1GcfCd, dc, That
Whenever the above amendment shall have be-
come part OF the Constitution, aud any State
lately i'll instruction shall have RATIFIED the
sIme, and shall have modified its constitution
and laws i'll conformity Herewith, the Sena>
tors and Representatives from such State, if
found duly elected, and qualified, may after
having taken the required oaths of office, 10
admitted into Congress as such.
SEc. :. ind he II enacted, That when any,
State lately in instruction shall have ratified
the foregoing proposed amendment TO the Con,
sltutiOm, any part of the direct tax under the
act OF, August ), 1861, which may remain due
and unpaid i'll such State, may b9 assumed
aud paid by such State; and the payment there
OF, upon proper assurances from such State,
to be given to the Secretary of the Treasury
OF tie United States, may be postponed for u
period not exceeding ten years from and alter
the passage of this act.
n BILL declaring certain persons ineligible
to office under the Government of the
United States.
BE 1t cm0cfcd, DC, That no person shall be
eligible to any office under the Government
Of tho United States who is included in auy
Of the following classes namely:
First. The President and Vice President
CT the Confederate States of America. so,
called, and the heads of Departments thereof,
Second. Those who in other countries
acted rs agents Of the Confederate States of
America, so-callcd.
Third. Heads of Departments of tho
United States, officers Of tho army and navy
of tho United S:atos, aud all persons cducat-
cd at the Military and Naval Academy 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 and comfort to the late
rebellion.
Fourth. Those who acted as officers Of
the Confederate States Of America, so.caIIed.
above the grade of Colonel in the army or
Master in the navy, and any one who. as
Governor Of any Of the so called Confederate
States, gave aid or comfort to the late rebel
lion.
Fifth. Those who have treated officers or
soldiers or sailors Of the army or navy of the
United States, captured during the late war
otherwise than lawfully as prisoners of war,