The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-01
Supplementary to the Stevens-Sherman-
Shellabarger Bill.

provide for the more efficient government o
the rebel States, passed March 2, 1867, and tt
facilitate restoration.
BE II enacted By the Senate and House Of Repre-
seatatiyeS of the United States of america in Con-
gress assembled, That before the first day O
September, 1867, the commanding general in eacl
district defined by an act entitled an act to pro
vide for the more efficient government of the rebe
States, approved March 2, 1851 shall cause reg
istration to be made of the male citizens of the
United States, twenty one years OF age and up
wards, resident in each county or 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:
81, -, do solemnly swear, or affirm, in the
presence of Almighty God, that l am a 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 F., in said State, as the case may be !; that
am 81 years old; that 1 have not been disfran-
chised Tor participation in any rebellion 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 in any State, and at
| forwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion
against the United States, and given aid or COM
fort to the enemies thereof; that 1 have never
taken an oath as member of Congress of the
United States, or as an officer of the United
States, or as a member of any State Legislature
to support the Constitution of the United States,
and afterwards engaged in instruction or re-
belion 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
and civil government for such State loyal to tie
Union; said convention in each State, except
Virginia, to consist of the same number Of men,
bers as the most numerous branch Of the State
Legislature of such State in the wear 1860 to be
apportioned among the several DISTRICTS coun-
ties, 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 1861 to be appor-
toned as aforesaid.
Sec 3. That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall. vote for against con-
vention to form a constitution under this act
Those voting in favor of such convention shall
have written or printed on the ballots by which
vention;' and those voting against such a con-
yention shall have written or printed on such
ballots the words against convention.'' The
persons appointed to superntend 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
a convention. If a majority of the votes given |
on that question shall be for convention, then !
hall I I
PoUided, That such convention shall not be held |
unless majority of all such registered votes |
shall have voted on the question of holding such
Sec a. That the commanding general of each
district shall appoint such loyal officers per-
sons as may be necessary, not exceeding three in
each election district in any State, to make and
complete the registration, superi1tcnd the cleo
tion and make return to him OF the votes, lists |
of voters and of the persons elected as delegates
by plurality of the votes cast at said election;
and upon receiving said returns he shall open |
the same, ascertain the persons elected dele
gates according to the returns of the officers |
who conducted said election and make proclama-
tian thereof, and II majority OF the votes given
on that question shall be for a convention, the |
general, within sixty days from the |
date of election, shall notify the delegates to
semble in convention at time and place to be |
in the notification, and said Conven |
ton, when organized, shall proceed to frame a |
Constitution and civil government according to |
the provisions of this act, and the act to which |
it is Supplementary; and when. the same shall |
have been so framed said Constitution shall be |
by the convention for ratification to |
the person registered under the provisions of this
act, at an election to be conducted by the Off
GERS, or persons appointed by the commanding
general as hereinbefore provided and to be held |
after the expiration of thirty days from the date
of notice thereof TO be given 10y said conven-
ton, and the returns thereof shall be made to |
the commanding general of the district
Sec. 5. That if, according to said returns, the |
shall DC ratified by majority of the
votes of the registered electors qualified as here
in specified, cast at said election, at least one
halt at all tAe registered voters voting upon the
question ofsnch ratification, the president of the
shall transmit a copy of the same,
duly certified, to the President of the United |
States who shall forthwith transmit the same to
Congress, if then in session, and if not in ses |
sion, then Immediately upon its next assembling; |
and if 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
OF the influence OF fraul, and if Congress shall !
be satisfied that such constitution meets the ap
proval of 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
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 representation,
and Senators AID Representatives shall be admit
ted therefrom as herein provided.
toned in the said "Act to provide for the more
efficient government of the rebel States" shall,
during the operation of said act be by ballot;
and all officers making the said registration of
voters and conducting said elections shall, before
entering upon the discharge of their duties, sub |
scribe oath faithfully to perform the duties OF
their said efice, and the oath prescribed by the
act approved July 2, 1862, entitled Gan act to
oath of ofice;" Provided, That lfany
person shall knowingly and falsely take and sub
scribe any oath in this act prescribed, such per-
son so offending, and being thereof duly convict
ed, shall be subject 10 the pains, penalties and
disabilities which by law are provided for the
punishment of the crime of wilful and corrupt
perjury,
Sec T. That all expenses incurred by the sever
al commanding generals, or by virtue of any or.
ders issued orappointments made by them under
or by virtue of this act shall be paid out of shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
ated.
Sec. g. 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 necessary TO carry into effect
the purposes of this act, not herein otherwise
provided for, and shall provide for the levy and
of such taxes on the property in such
State as may he necessary to pay the same.
Sec. 9. That the word ARTICLE in the sixth
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.