The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-05

and in such places, as to enforce the prompt and
efficient execution of the provisions OF TINS acti
| and to preserve peace and order, and obedience
to the laws of the United States, in the sald dls
| trict, formerly comprising the State OF North
] Carolina.
We publish below Mr.. Stevens bill, as
rneBded to reconstruct the lnsurgent States
II viii be remembered that the bill intro
I duced bv Mr. Stevens on the 18th December
prepared at his request by North-Carolinians,
was referred to the Committee on Territories,
of which Mr.. Ashley is Chairman. But mean
while MIR. Stevens has amended former
| bill of his by engrafting on it the main Tea
! lures of the North Carolina bill, as to give
! his bill thus amended, which we publish be-
low, precedence on the calendar. 1t will,
| therefore come up at once as soon as Con-
gress re-assembles. 1t is probable the Com
| mittee on Territories will report bill SINH
lar to the one below.
Tt will be observed that the amended bill
differs in several respects from the North
Carolina bill, in its machinery, but the oath,
which is the gist of the measure, is preser-
we'd. We trust the oath aoiU not, IN any e0ent, be
altered or omitted. We are satisfied, from our
knowledge of the South, that it is the best
oath vet devised Provision should be made,
however in the bill for Furnishing those who
NAV succeed in taking it falsely.
Another very important improvement is,
that Mr. Stevens amended bill extends the
oath not merely to office-hoders but to coters.
We have conversed with many Unionists, and
heard from others, since our return from
Washington, and it seems to be the general
wish of our loyal people that unrepentant
rebels should be excluded from the ballot
box, and that loyal men only, without re-
gard to color, should be invested with the
ballot. If Congress would do its work
A. a(lannatp
lection to the loyal whites and blacks of the
South, let it by no means omit this oath
but let the oath be a test of suffrage, with
ont regard to color This we believe to be
the unanimous wish of the Unionists of this
State. as well as of the cotton States, as
shown by the Address of the Southern Re-
publican Association, which we publish to-
day.
Mr. STEVENS BILL FOR READMIssIoN OF THE
SOUTHERN STATES.
BIZ telegraph to the Tribune.
WASHINGTON Dec 2l.-The following bill, in
troduced into the House last session by Mr.. Ste
yens "To enable the States lately in rebellion to
regain their privileges in the Union," has been
amended considerably, and in its amended form
! will be called up for action by Mr. stevens IN
Bill to enable the States lately in rebellion to
| regain their privileges in the Union.
Whereas The eleven States which lately formed
the Government called the "Confederate States
of America have forfeited all their rights under
the Constitution, and can be reinstated in the
same only through the action of Congress; there
Be it enacted By the Senate and House Of Rtoresen-
tatiyes of the United States Of Anercd IN Congress
assembled That the eleven States lately in rebel
lion, except Tennessee, may form valid State
Governments in the following manner:
SECTION 3 Ind be it further enacted, That the
State Governments now existing de tdctO though
illegally formed in the midst OF martial law, and
in many instances the constitutions were adopted
under duress, and not submitted to the ratitica-
ton of the people, and therefore are not to be
treated as free republics yet they are hereby ac
knowledged as valid governments for municipal
purposes until the same shall be duly altered, .and
their legislative and executive officers shall be
recognized as SUCH
SEC 3. And be it further enacted, That the ten
States which were lately in rebellion, and have not
been admitted to representation in Congress, shall
hold elections on the first Tuesday of May, 1861
to choose delegates to u convention to form a
State Government. The Convention shall con-
sist of the same number of members as the most
numerous branch of the Legislature of said State
before the Rebellion 1t shall meet at tine former
capital of said State on the first Monday of June
of said year, at IL o'clock noon, with power to
adjourn from time TO time, and shall proceed to
form State Constitution. which shall be submit
! ted to the people al such time as the Convention
shall direct, and if ratified by majority of legal
| votes shall be declared the Constitution of the
| State Congress shall elect a Commission for
each of said States, to consist of three persons,
who shall select or direct the mode of selecting
|
tricts which districts shall be the same as before
! the Rebellion, unless allotted by said Commits
sion. The officers shall consist of one judge and
| two inspectors of elections and two clerks. The
said officers, together with all the expenses of
the election shall be paid by the United States,
and said expenses shall be repaid by said State
Territory Each of said officers shall receive s.
per day for the time actually employed. Each OF
the members of said Commission shall receive
SO, 600 per annum, and their clerks 81, 600. The
Commission shall procure all the necessary books
stationery and boxes, and to make all regulations
to effect the objects of this act The President
of the United States and the military comman-
der of the district shall furnish much mil
itary aid the said Commissioners shall deem
necessary to protect the polls and keep the peace
at each of the election districts. If, by any means
no elections should be held in any of said late
States the day herein fixed, then said election
shall be held on the third Monday of May, 1867
in the manner herein prescribed. Returns of all
such elections shall be made to the said Commits
sioners whose certificates of election shall be pri-
ma facie evidence Of the fact.
SEC. 4. And be 1t further enacted, That persons
who shall be entitled to vote at both of said cleo
lions shall be as follows: All male citizens above
the age of q years, who have resided one year in
SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That the word
citizen as used in this act, shall be construed to
mean all persons Except Indians not taxed born
| in the United States, or duly naturalized. Any
| male citizen above the age of 81 years shall be
competent to be elected to act delegate to said
| convention.
SEC. 6. Ind be it further enacted, That all per-
| full age, who held Office, either civil military,
under the government called the "Confederate
| States of America or who voluntarily swore al
legiance to said government are hereby declared
to have forfeited their citizenship ana to have
nounced allegiance to the United States, and shall
not be entitled to exercise the elective franchise
hold Office until five years after they shall have
filed their intention or desire to be reinvested
with the right of citizenship, and shall swear al
legiance to the United States and renounce alle-
glance to all other governments or pretended gov
ernments; the said application to be filed and
oath taken in the same courts that by law are au-
thorized to naturalize foreigners Provided, how
ever that on taking the following oath the party,
being otherwise qualified, shall be allowed to vote
and hold office
81, A. B., do solemuly swear, on the Holy
Eyangelists of Almighty God, that on the 4th day
of March, 1864, and at all times thereafter, l
would willingly have complied with the require
ments of the Proclamation of the President of the
United States, issued on the 9Th day of Decem-
ber 1868, had safe opportunity OF SO doing been
allowed; and that on the said 4th of March, 1864,
and all times thereafter, was opposed to the
continuance of the Rebellion, and to the estab-
lishment of the so-called Confederate Govern
ment, and voluntarily gave no aid and comfort
thereto but earnestly desired the success of the