The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-19
RECONSTRUCTION.
supplementary to the Stevens-sherman-
Shellabarger Bill. ~


SheIlabarger Bill.
AN ACT supplemental to an act entitled an act t.
provide for the more efficient government o
| the rebel States, passed March ., 1867, and tt
= facilitate restorationE 80 raHs-a
Be az enacted by the Senate and House OF hep7e
sentaiiues of tie United States of Anaerica 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 efficient government of the rebe
States, approved March 2, 1867, 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
stration 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, Ia the
presence OF Almighty God, that am citizen OF
the State Of, that have resided i'll said State
for months next preceding this day, ana
now reside in the county of -, or the pLiish
Of, in said State, as the case may be; that
am 81 years old; that have not been dlsfran.
chised Tor participation in any rebellion or civil
war against the United States, nor 1or felony
the United States; that l have never been u
member OF any State Legislature, nor held any
executive or judicial office in any State, ana al
forwards engaged in Instruction or rebellion
against the United States, and given ala or com
fort to the enemies thereof; that L have never
taken an oath a member OF Congress OF inc
States, or us Il member of any State Legislature,
or as an executive or judicial officer OF any State,
to support the Constitution of the United States,
and afterwards engaged in insurrectlon or re-
bellion 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 rs the commanding gen
eral may appoint and direct, of which ut least
thirty days public notice shall be given, an cleo
ton shall be held OF delegates to convention
for the purpose of establishing constitution
and civil government for such State loyal to tile
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 i'll the
ratio of voters registered as aforesaid, nearly
may be. The Convention in Virginia shall
consist of the same number of members as rep
resented the territory now constituting Fir-
gina in the most numerous branch of the Legis-
lature OF said State in the year 1860 to be appor-
toned us aforesaid.
Sec 3. That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for or againsta con-
vention to form q constitution under this act
Those voting in favor of such convention shall
have written or printed on the ballots by which
they vote for delegates, the words "for con-
vcntion;' 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
Il convention. 1t majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for q convention, then
such convention shall be held under this act
P'ocided, That such convention shall not be held
unless majority of all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question of holding such
district shall appoint such 10 al officers per-
sons as may be necessary, not exceeding three in
each election district. in any State, to make and
complete the registration, superntend the cleo
ton, and make return to him of the votes, lists
of voters and Ot 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 a. dele
gates according to the returns of the officers
who conducted said election and make proclama-
ton thereof; and if i majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for a convention the
general, within sixty DAYS from the
late of election, shall notify the delegates to as
semble in convention ut a time and place to be
in the notification, and said Conyen
q
Constitution and civil government according to
Inc provisions OF this act, and the act to which
t is supplementary; and when the same shall
nave been SO framed, said Constitution shall be
submitted by the convention for ratification to
The person registered under the provisions of this
ict, 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 by said convcn-
ton, and the returns thereof shall be made to
the commanding general of the district.
Sec. D. That it, according to said returns, the
shall be ratified by majority of the
votes of the registered electors qualified here
in specified, cast at said election, at least one
lalt of all the registered voters voting upon the
iestion of such ratification, the president of the
shall transmit 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;
md il 1t shall moreover appear to Congress that
he election one at which all the registered
md qualified electors in the State had an oppor-
unity to vote freely and without restraint, fear
)r the influence OF frauI, and if Congress shall
'e satisfied that such constitution meets the ap-
)roval of majority of the qualified electors In
he State, and if the said constitution shall be
declared by Congress to be in conformity with
he provisions of the act to which this is supple
nentarv, and the other provisions of said act
hall have been complied with, and the said con-
ttution shall be approved by Congress, the
State shall be declared entitled to representation,
nu Senators aad Representatives snail Deadmlt-
ed therefrOm as herein provided.
Sec. 6. That all elections in the States men
Toned in the said "Act to provide for the more
ficient government of the rebel States,' shall,
turing the operation of said act, be by ballot;
nd all officers making the said registration of
oters and conducting said elections shall, before
ntering upon the discharge of their duties, SUBJ
cribe an oath faithfully to perform the duties of
heir said etfice, and the oath prescribed by the
ct approved July 2 1862, entitled can act to
rescribe an oath of Office" Provided, That lfany
erson shall knowingly and falsely take and SUBJ
cribc any oath in this act prescribed, such per-
on offending, and being thereof duly convict
d, shall be subject to the pains, penalties and
liabilities which by law are provided for the
enlistment of the crime of wilful and corrupt
erjury.
Sec. T. That all expenses incurred by the sever
commanding generals, or by virtue of any or
ers issued or appointments made by them under
r by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of shy
loneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
ted.
Sec. g. That the convention for each State shall
rescribe the fees, salary and compensation to be
aid to all delegates and other officers and agents
erein authorized or necessary to carry into effect
ne purposes of this act not herein otherwise
rovided for, and shall provide for the levy and
objection of such taxes on the property in such
tate may be necessary to pay the same.
Sec 9. That the word 'article'' in the sixth
sction of the act to which this is supplements
? shall be construed to mean section"
L U