The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-31
RECONSTRUCTION.
supplementary to the Stevens.Sherman.
- SheIIabarger RiII.

the rebel States, passed March g. 1867, and to
/ facilitate restoration.
BE &c enacted by NE Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives of the United States of Ane1ica In Con.
greSs assembled, That before the first day OF
September, 1857, the commanding general in each
district defined by an act entitled an act to pro-
vide for the more efficient government OF the rebel
States, approved March 2, 1867, shall cause reg
stration TO be made of the male citizens of the
United States, twenty one years of age and up
wards, resident in each county OF parish in the
State or States included in his district, which reg
istration will include only those persons who are
qualified to vote for delegates by the act afore-
said and who shall have taken and subscribed the
! following oath or affirmation:
presence OF Almighty God, that 1 am citizen of
the State Of, that have resided in said State
| for - months next preceding this day, and
| now reside in the county OF -, or the parish
Of, in said State, as the case may be; that
am 81 years old; that 1 have not been disfran-
chised for participation in any rebellion or civil
war against the United States, nor for felony
committed against the laws of any State or of
the United States; that have never been a
member OF any State Legislature, nor held any
executive or judicial Office i'll any State, and af
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 member of Congress of the
United States, an officer of the United
States, member of any State Legislature,
executive or judicial officer of any State,
and afterwards engaged in instruction or re-
bellon against the United States, or given aid or
comfort to the enemies thereof; that will faith
fully 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 after the completion of the regis
tration hereby provided for in any State at such
time and place therein as the commanding gen.
eral may appoint and direct, of which at least
thirty days public notice shall be given, an cleo
ton shall be held of delegates to 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 State
Legislature OF such State in 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 as aforesaid, nearly
as may be. The Convention in 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 State in the year 1860, to be appor
toned as aforesaid
Sec g. That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for or againsta con-
vention to form a constitution under this act
Those voting in favor of such convention shall
have written printed on the ballots by which
they vote for delegates, the words .for q con-
vention;" and those voting against such con-
vention shall have written or printed on such
ballots the words against convention" The
persons appointed to superintend said election,
and to make return of the votes given thereat,
as herein provided, shall count and make return
of the votes given for and against convention;
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
convention. If majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for convention, then
such convention shall be held under this act ::
POCided That such convention shall not be held
unless majority of all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question of holding such
convention.
Sec. 4. That the commanding general of each
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, superintend the cleo
ton, and make return to him OF the votes, lists
of voters and OF tine persons elected rs delegates
by plurality of the votes cast at said election;
and upon receiving said returns he shall open |
the same, ascertain the persons elected as dele |
gates according to the returns of the officers |
who conducted said election and make procama-
ton thereof; and if d. jorty of the votes given
ON that question shall be Tor convention, the |
general, within sixty days from the
date of election, shall notify the delegates to
scmbe in convention at time and place to be |
mentioned in the notification, and said Conven
ion when organized, shall proceed to frame q
Constitution and civil government according to
t is supplementary; and when the same shall
nave been so framed, said Constitution shall be
by the convention for ratification to
he person registered under the provisions of this
ct at an election to be conducted by the Off
,ers, or persons appointed by the commanding
general as herenbetore provided and to be held
Lfter the expiration of thirty days from the date
If notice Thereof to be given by said conven-
ion, and the returns thereof shall be made to
he commanding general of the district.
Sec. D. That ii, according to said returns, the
constitution shall be ratified by majority of the
Otes of the registered electors qualified as here
n specified, cast at said election, at least one
alt of all the registered voters voting upon the
question of such ratification, the president of the
onvention shall transmit a copy of the same,
July certified, to the President of the United
tates who shall forthwith transmit the same to
congress, if then in session, and if not in ses-
ion, then immediately upon its next assembling;
nd II 1t shall moreover appear TO Congress that =
he election was one at which all the registered
nd qualified electors in the State had an oppor-
unity to vote freely and without restraint fear
r the influence OF frau'i, and II Congress shall \
e satisfied that such constitution meets the APP
roval of majority of the qualified electors In u
he State, and if the said constitution shall be l
eclared by Congress to be in conformity with L
he provisions of the act to which this is supple
lentary, and the other provisions of said act Q
hall have been complied WITH and the said con- I
Litution shall be approved by Congress, the S
tate shall be declared entitled to representation
nd Senators and Representatives shall be admit i
I'd therefrom as herein provided. q
Sec. 6. That all elections in the States men t
oned in the said 'Act to provide for the more v
ffcient government of the rebel States" shall, I
uring the operation of said act, be by ballot; t
nd all officers making the said registration of .
Oters and conducting said elections shall, before
ntering upon the discharge of their duties, sub
tribe an oath faithfully to perform the duties of
leir said etfice and the oath prescribed by the :
1t approved July q 1862, entitled can act to
rescribe an oath of Office" Provided, That lfany
erson shall knowingly and falsely take and sub T
tribe any oath in this act prescribed, such per-
IN so offending, and being thereof duly convict I
|, shall be subject to the pains, penalties and n
sabilities which by law provided for the
unishment of the crime of wilful and corrupt
erjury.
Sec. z. That all expenses incurred by the sever
commanding generals, or by virtue of any Or 8
ers issued or appointments made by them uDder {
by virtue of this act shall be paid out of shy {
oneys in the Treasury not otherwise approprf- =
ed. fl
Sec. 8. That the convention for each State shall
rescribe the fees salary and compensation to be q
lid to all delegates and other officers and agents
erein authorized necessary carry into effect
lie purposes of this act, not herein otherwise
'ovded for, and shall provide for the levy and t
election of such taxes on the property in such t
ate as may be necessary to pay the same 4
Sec. g. That the word "article' in the sixth d
ction of the act to which this is supplements "a
shall be construed to mean section "
SCHUYLER COLFAX, t.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
LA FAYETTE s. FOSTER, Il
President of the Senate pro tempore .