The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-07
RECoNsTRUCTIoN.
supplemen tafy to the Stevens-Sherman.
as46nfj Sheliabarger Bill. a}f Il

facilitate restoration. q So 'Hs' H'.s-.
BE- u enacted By the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives Of the United States Of AAnerica in Con-.
gfeSs assembled, That before the first day Of
September, 1867, the commanding general in each
district defined by an act entitled an act to pro-
videtor the more efficient government of the rebel
States, approved March :, SGT, shall cause reg
iStration TO be made of the male citizens of the
! United States, twenty one years of age and m
wards, resident in each county or parish in the
State or States included in his district, which reg
qualified to vote for delegates by the act atore-
said, and who shall havetaken and subscribed the
following oath or affirmation:
~, -, do solennly swear, or affirm, in the
presence OF Almighty God, that am IL citizen of
the State OF -. that have resided in said State
for - months next preceding this day, and
now reside i'll the county VI, the paIish
| of f., in said State, as the case may be; that
am 81 years old; that l have not. Deen distrun-
chised tor participation in any rebellion or civil
war against the United States, nor for felony
committed against the laws of any State of
the United States that have never been
executive or judicial Office in amy State and at
forwards engaged in Instruction or rebellion
! against the United States, and given aid or COM
| fort to the enemies thereof; that l have never
taken an oath as 4 member of Congress of the
| United States, or as an officer of the United
| States, or as member OF any State Legislature,
or as an eXecu i've judicial officer OF any State
to support the Constitution of the United States
and afterwards engaged in Instruction or re-
bellion against the United Suites, or given aid or
comfort to the enemies thereof; that | will faith
| ully support the Constitution and obey the laws
OF the United States, and WILL to the best of my
ability, encourage others so to do So help me
God"
Which oath or affirmation may be administered
| by any registering officer.
Sec. 2 That afterthe completion of the regis
| tratiOn hereby provided for in any State at such
! time and place therein as the commanding gen.
| erll may appoint and direct, of which at least
thirty days public notice shall he given, cleo
| ton shall be held OF delegates to II convention
| for the purpose OF establishing a constitution
and civil government for such State loyal to the
Union; said convention in each State, except
Virginia, TO consist Of the same number of mem
bers as the most numerous branch of the Stat.
Legislature OF such State i'll the year 1860 to be
apportioned among the several districts, coun-
ties or parishes OF such State by the command
ing general, giving to each, representation in the
ratio OF voters registered aforesaid, as nearly
lis may be. The Convention i'll Virginia shall
consist of the same number of members as rep
| resented the territory now constituting Vir-
ginia in the most numerous branch of the Legis-
lature OF said S.ltc the year 1o6O, to be appor-
toned as aforesaid
Sec ). That ut said election the registered yo-
tiers of each State shall vote for against con-
ventiOn to torn constitution under this act
Those voting III Iavor of such convention shall
have written or printed on the ballots by which
they vote for delegates, the words "for con-
ventlon; and those voting against such a con-
venton shall have written or printed on such
ballots the words against convention" The
persons appointed to superntend said election,
/ as herein provided, shall count and make return
OF the votes given tor end against conventions
and the commanding general, to whom the same
shall have been returned, shall ascertain and de-
clare the total vote in each State for and against
Il convention. Ii majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for convention then
such convention shall be held under this act
kiOrtded, That such convention shall not be held
unless Il majority OF all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question OF holding such
convention.
Sec. T. That the in of
district shall appoint such 10 al officers or per-
SONS as may be necessary, not exceeding three in
each election district. in any State to make and
complete the registration, superintcnd the elcc-
lion, and make return to him the votes lists
OF voters and OF the persons elected as delegates
by plurality of the votes cast at said election:
and upon receiving 5: id returns he shall open
the same, ascertain the persons elected a. dele
gates according 10 the returns of the officers
who conducted said election and make proclama-
ton thereof; and If Il majority of the votes given
on that question shall he tor ii convention, the
commanding general, within sixty days from the
date OF election, shall notify the delegates to as
scmhc i'll convention at time and place to be
mentioned in the notification, and said Conven
ton, when organized, shall proceed to frame a
Constitution and civil government according to
the prov OF this act, ami the act to whit h
II Is supplementary; and wuen the same shall
have been SO framed said Constitution shall be
submitted by the convention for ratification to
the person registered under the provisions of this
act, at AN election to he conducted by the Off
GERS orp persons appointed by the commanding
general rs hercinbriore provided, and to be held
after the expiration of thirty days from the date
OF notice therco to be given by said conyen-
ton, and the returns thereof shall be made to
the commanding general of the district.
Sec. B. That if, according to said returns, the
constitution shall be ratified by u majority of the
votes Of the registered electors qualified us here
in specified, cast at said election, at least
half of all the registered voters voting upon the
question ofsuch ratification, the president of the
convention shall transmit copy of the same,
uUlV certified TO the rlSiupnt of the United
States who shall forthwith transmit the same to
Congress, if then in session, and if not in
sion then Immediately upon its next assembling;
and il it shall moreover appear to Congress that
the election WAS one at which all the registered
and qualified electors in the State had an oppor-
tunity to vote freely and without restraint, fear
or the influence OF iraul, and if Congress shall
be satisfied that such constitution meets the APP
prevail of a majority of the qualified electors In
the State and if the said constitution shall be
declared by Congress to be in conformity with
the provisions of the act to which this is supple
mentary, and the OTHER provisions Of said act
shall have been complied with, and the said con-
stitution shall be approved by Congress, the
State shall be declared entitled to Representations
and Senators a@d Representative shall be admit
ted theretrom as herein provided.
Sec 6. That all elections in the States men,
TONED in the said Act to provide for the more
efficient government of he rebel States" shall,
during the operation of said act, be by ballot;
and all officers making he said registration of
voters and conducting said elections shall, before
entering upon the discharge Of their duties, sub
ScTlUc au odlH 10 perform the uullcS OI
their said effice, and the oath prescribed by the
act approved July :. 1862 entitled IAN act to
prescribe an oath of Office" Provided, That Ifany
person shall know ingiy and falsely lake and sub
scribe any oath in this act prescribed, such per-
son so offending, and being thereof duly convict
cd, shall be subject to the pains, penalties and
disabilities which by law provided for the
punishment of the crime OF wilful and corrupt
perjury.
Sect. That all expenses incurred by the sever
al commanding generals, or by virtue of any
ders issued or appointments made by them under
or by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropr-
ated.
See. 8. That the convention for each State shall
prescribe the fees, salary and compensation to be
paid to all delegates and other officers and agents
herein authorized or necessary to carry into effect
the purposes of this act. not herein otherwise
provided for, and shall provide for the levy and
collection of such taxes on the property in such
State as may be necessary to pay the same.
Sec. 9. That the word ''article in the sixth
section of the act to which this is Supplemental
ry shall be construed to mean section"
..... SCHUYLER COLFAX,
Speaker of the House OF Representatives.
..... LA FAYETTE s. FOSTER,
President of the Senate pro tempore.