The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-02-26
COPY OF THE BILL.

Since writing the above, have received a
correct copy of the Bill as it passed both Houses
of Congress Wednesday. 1t is as follows:
An Act to proride for the more Efficient government
of the rebel States.
Whereas, no legal State governments or ade-
quate protection for life property exist in
the rebel States of Virginia. North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louis
lana, Florida Texas and Arkansas and whereas.
it is necessary that peace and good order should
be enforced in said States until loyal and repub-
lican State governments can be legally estab
lished a; therefore,
Be 1t enacted. &c, That said rebel States shall
be divided into military districts and made sub
ect to the military authority of the United States,
as hereinafter prescribed; and for that purpose
Virginia 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 and
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 officer of the army not below the rank
of brigadier- general. and to detail a sufficient
military fore. to enable such officer to perform
his duties and enforce his authority within the
district to which he is assigned.
Sec. 3. That it shall BE- the duty of each officer
assigned as aforesaid to protect all persons in
their rights of person and property. to suppress
Instruction, disorder and violence, and to punish
cause TO DE punished all QlSturOPrS or the puO-
lie peace and criminals and to this end he may
allow local civil tribunal Is to take jurisdiction of
and try offenders. when in his ndgment it
may be necessary fer the trial of offenders, he
shall have power to organize military commits
sions or tribunals for that purpose and all inter-
ferance under color of State authority with the
exercise of military authority under this act shall
be null and void
See. 4. That all persons put under military
rest by virtue of this act shall be tried without
unnecessary delay. and no cruel or unusual pun
ishlnent shall be inflicted; and no sentence of any
military commission or tribunal hereby author
lied, affecting the life or liberty of any person,
shall be executed until it is approved by the off
Ger in Command of the district; and the laws and
regulations for the government of the army shall
not be affected by this act, except in far
they may conflict with its provisions Proolded.
That no sentence of death under the provisions
of this act shall be carried into effect without the
approval of the President
Sec. 5. That when the people of any of the
SAID rebel States shall have formed constitution
OF government in conformity with the Consitu-
ton of the United States in all respects. framed
by a convention of delegates elected by the male
Citizens of said State twenty one years old and
upward of whatever race, color, or previous con-
diton, who have been resident in said State for
one year previous to the day of such election,
except such as may be DISTINGUISHED for partici
patton in the rebellion for felony at common
law and when such constitution shall provide
that the elective franchise shall be enjoyed by
all such persons have the qualifications herein
stated for election of delegates: and when such
constitution shall be ratified by majority of the
persons voting on the question of ratification who
qualified electors for delegates; and when
such constitution shall have been submitted to
Congress,for examination and approval and Con-
gress snail have approved the same; and when
said State by a vote of its Legislature elected
under said constitution, shall have adopted the
amendment to the Constitution of the United
States proposed by the Thirty ninth Congress
and known article ii, and when said article
shall have become part of the Constitution OF
the United States, said State shall be declared
emitted to representation in Congress and Sem
8tors ana Representatives shall be admitted there
from on their taking the oath prescribed by law
and then and thereafter the preceding sections of
this bill shall be imperative in said State: Pro-
radcd. That no person excluded from the privi-
lege of holding office by said proposed amendment
to the Constitution of the United States shall bs
eligible to election a member of the Conyen-
ton to frame Constitution for any of said rebel
States; shall any such person vote for mem
bers of said Convention.
Sec. 6. And be IL further enacted, That until
the people of the said rebel States shall be- bv
law. admitted to representation in the Congress
of the United States, any civil governments that
may exist therein shall be deemed provisional
only, and, in all respects, subject to the para
mount authority of the United States, at any time,
to abolish modify. control or supercade the same,
and, in all elections to any office under such pro-
vsional governments. all persons shall be entitled
to vote, and none others, who entitled TO vote
under the provisions OF the fifth section of this
act; and person shall be eligible to any Office
under such provisional governments who would