The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-03-05

The following is an exact copy of the bill
for the reconstruction of the southern states
recently passed by congress, vetoed by the
President, and passed by congress, over the
veto:
Whereas, No legal state government, or ade-
quate protection for life or property, now exists
in the rebel states of Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Aiabama, Louisiana,
Florida, Texas and Arkansas; and,
Whereas, 1t is necessary that peace and good
order should be enforced in said states until loyal
and republican state governments can be estab-
lished therefore, :.
Be IL enacted, etc., That said rebel states shall
be divided into military districts and made sub
ect to the military authority ofthe United States
as hereafter prescribed and for that purpose Fir-
ginia shall constitute the first district; North
Carolina and South Carolina the second district !;
Georgia, Alabama and Florida the third district
Mississippi and Arkansas the fourth district !;
Louisiana and Texas the fifth district.
| SEC. 2. That it shall be the duty of the Presi-
dent to assign to the command of each of said
districts an ger of the army not below the rank
of brigadier general, and to detail . sufficient
military force to enable such officer to perform
his dutfes and enforce his authority within the
| district to which he is assigned.
| SEG- 3. That it shall be the duty of such Of
hcef assigned rs aforesaid, to protect all persons
| in their rights of person and property, to sup
pass insu51ection, disorder and violence, and to
punish, gcause to be punished, all disturbers of
the pf@hc peace and criminals and to this end
hssfhay allow loyal civil tribunals to take iuris
Fdietion of and try offenders or when in his iude-
ment it may be necessary for the trial of offenders
he shall have power to organize military commits
stems of tribunals for that purpose and all Inter
ference under color of state authority with the ex
ercise of military authority under this act, shall
be null and void.
j. Sec. 4. That all persons put under military ar.
A nv offh 1T hal he tr,aa
/ unnecessary delay and no crnel unusual pun
4 ishment shall be inflicted, md sentence of my
military commission or tribunal, hereby authoriz
eds affecting the life or liberty of any person
shAh be execnted until it is approved By the of
lihcer IN command of the district and the Laws
and regulations for the government of the army
shallpot be affected by this act, except in so fal
as they may conflict with its provisions.
SEC. 8. That when the people of any one Of
said rebel states shall have formed aconsttutioua
govey<nent, in conformity with the constitution
of fhs Omitted States in all respects, framed by
conysntion of delegates elected by the person
who may vote upon the ratification or rejectio,
thereof, as hereinafter provided; and when sale
constitution, SO framed, shall have been ratifes
| by majority OF the male citizens of said state
| years old and upward, of whatever race color O
| previous condition OF servitude, who NAV hav
been resident in said state for one year previou
to the day of voting the question of ratifyin,
such constitution, except such rs may be disfran
| cn1sea iof partacifatihB IN the srebeilon, or To-
felony at common law and when such constitu
ton shall provide that the elective franchise sal
be enjoyed by all such persons that have the quail
fcations herein stated, and shall have been sub
mitted to congress for examination, and eongres
shall have approved the same; and when sal.
state, by a vote of its legislature elected unde
said constitution, shall have adopted the amend
ment to the constitution of the United States
proposed by the thirty ninth congress, and known
as article IA, and when said article shall have be
come part of the constitution Of the Unite,
States, said state shall be declared entitled to rep
resentation in congress, and senators and repre-
| sentatives shall be admitted therefrom, on thei
taking the oath prescribed by the law and theI
and thereafter the preceding sections Of this bill
shall be imperative in said state.
5 &c asEarHK WILSON AMENDMENT. II gsaa So
i Provided, No person excluded from the priv
ilege of holding Office BY said proposition o
amendment to the constitution OF the Unite.
States shaI be eligible TO election q msnber o.