Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-05-03
RECONSTRUCTION.


WASHINGTON, April 2S.- The Joint Com
mittee on Reconstruction, after session of some
four hours to-day, at which all the members Of
the committee were present, agreed to report
ON Monday next the following propositions:
A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMEND
MENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
UNITED STATES.
Be Il resolved By The Senate and House Of Repre-
senfatires of the United States of america IN Con
gress assembled t,co-thirds of both Houses conc,.r
ring That the following article be proposed to the
Legislatures of the several States an amendment
to the Constitution, which, when ratified by three
fourths of the said Legislatures, shall be valid as
part of the Constitution, namely:
Article.-Section l. No State shall make or en-
force any law which shall abridge the privileges or
mmunites of citizens OF the United States, shall
any State deprive any person OF life liberty pro-
perty without due process OF law, nor deny to any
person within its jurisdiction the equal protection
of the laws.
Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned A.
mong 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 when
ever, in any State the elective franchise shall be
denied to any portion of its male citizens not less
than twentyOne years of age, or in any way abridg-
ed, except for participation in rebellion or 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 then twenty-one yeas of
age.
Sec 3. Until the 4th day of July, 1876. al, nor
sons who voluntarily adhered to ttae late insurrec
ton, giving it aid and corr Tort, shall be excluded
from the right to vote Tor members of Congress and
for electors Jr President and Vice President of the
Unitsu States.
Sec. 4. Neither the United States nor any State
shall assume or pay any debt or obligation already
incurred or whici may hereafter be- incurred in aid
of the instruction against the United States
or any claim for compensation for loss of invoun-
tary service or labor.
Sec. 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce
by appropriate legislation the provisions of this ar
tcle.
A BILL TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE
STATES LATELY IN RESURRECTION TO THEIR FULL po-
LITICAL RIGHTS.
Whereas 1t is expedient that the States lately in
insurrection should at the earliest day consistent
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 Legislatures of the
several States, amendment TO the Constitution
of the States, article in the following words to
wit: THE Constitutional article recited above is
here inserted.
No,c therefore be Il enacted, etc, That whenever
the above recited amendment shall have become
part of the Constitution and any State lately in in
surrectiOn shall have ratified the same and shall
have modified its Constitution and laws in confor-
mity Herewith, the Senators and Representatives
from such State if found duly elected unqualified,
NAV, after taking the required oaths of office, be
admitted into Congress as such.
And be Il further enacted, That when any State
lately in instruction shall have ratified the forego
ing proposed amendment TO the Constitution, any
part of the direct tax under the act of August j.
1861, which may remain due and unpaid in such
State, may be assumed and paid by such State, and
the payment thereof, upon proper assurances from
such State 10 be given TO the Secretary of the Treas
ury of the United States, may be postponed for
period not exceeding ten years from and after the
passage of this act
A BILL DECLARING CERTAIN PERSONS INELIGIBLE TO
OFFICE UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED
STATES.
BE t enacted etc. That no person shall be ELIGIBLE
to any office under the Government of the United
States who is included in any of the following class
es, namely:
First The President and Vice President of the
Confederate States of America, so-called and the
heads of department thereof.
Second. Those who in other countries acted as a.
gents ofthe Confederate States of America socalled
Third Heads of departments ofthe United States,
officers of the army and navy of the United States,
and all persons educated at the Military or Naval
AcauclnY vi tue OHlteu JuuStS Vi
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
head of Colonel in the army or Master in the navy;
and any one who Governor Of either of the So
called Confederate States gave aid or comfort to the
late rebellion.
Fifth Those who have treated officers or soldiers
sailors of the army or navy of the United States,
prisoners of war;
The committee removed the injunction of secrecy
far as the above propositions are concerned and
permitted copies to be furnished to the press.
1t is understood that the vote upon them II
against 3. As it is known that Senator johnson
and Representatives Order and Rogers only voted
in the negative, the affirmative must be Senator'S
Fessenden, Grimes, Harris, Howard and Williams,
and Representatives Stevens, Washburne of Illinois,
Morrill,, Bingham, Conkling, Boutwell, and Blow.