The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-06-15
The Reconstruction Amendment
Passed.


On Friday, the Senate, after ex-
tended debate, passed he'Reconstruc-
ton Amendment, with the third sec
ton stricken out by vote of thirty
three to eleven. The Vermont Sena-
tors, Messrs. Poland and Edmunds.
voted in the affirmative The Joint
resolution as amended and sent back
to the House for concurrence, ia as
follows.
RosOlred, by the Senate and House Of Rep
rcscntativcs of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, two-thirtls Of both Houses
coucurlng that the following article be proposed
to the Legislatures Of the several States az an
amendment to the Constitution Of the United
States, which, when ratified bv three-fonrths of
said Legislatures. shall be valid as part of the
Constitution, namely
SECTION i. All persons born or naturazed
in the United states, and subject to the iursdic-
ton thereof, are citizens of the United States and
the state wherein they reside No State shall
make or enforce any laws which shall abridgc
the privileges or immunitics 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 law.
aEc. 2. Representatives shall be appointed
among the several States, according TO their re-
spechyc numbers counting the whole number
ofpersons IN each state, excluding Indians not
taxed. But whenever inc right to vote at any
election for electors Of President and Vice Presi-
dent, or for United States Representatives III
Congress, Executive or Judicial officers, or the
members OF the Legislature thereof, IS denied to
any OF the male iuha bitants of such state, being
Il years of age and citizens of the United States
or in any way abridged except for participation
in rebellion or other crime. The basis of repro
scntation therein shall be reduced in the proper
ton which the number Of such male citizens
shall bear to the whole number of male citizens
Il years of age in such State.
SEC. 3. No person shall be a Senator or Rep
rcscntatvc in Congress- or clectOr of President
or Vice PRESIDENT, or hold any Office civil Ol
military, under the United States, or under an,
State, who hayingp reviously taken an oath as
member ofCongrcss, or as an officer of the Unitot
States, or as member uf any State tLegIslatme
or as an executive or judicial officer of any State
to support the Constitution of the United States
shall have engaged III instruction or rebellion
against the same, or given aid or comfort to the
enemies thereof. but Congress may by vote o
two thirds of each House, remove such disa
bility.
SIC 4. The validity of the public debt Of th
United states, authorized by law including
debts incurred for the payment of pensions am
bourties for suppressng nsurroction or re
/ beon, shall not be questioned; bat neither tn
Uuited States nor any State shall assume or pa
any debt or obligation incurredin aidpf nsurrec
ton or rebellion against the United States, 70
any claim for the loss or emancipation of an
slave; but an such debts, obligations, an
claims shall be held Illegal and void