The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-28
RECONSTRUCTION.
+ Supplefnentarys to the Stevens-Sherman-
~ {H ShelIabarger Bill.

| the rebel States, passed March 2, 1867, and to
facilitate restoration.
Be at enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
se5tatsyes Of the United States Of AnaericG Ia Con
oyess~ Gsseuu6ed That before the first day of
September, 1857, the commanding general ineach
district defined by an act entitled an act TO pro-
vdetor 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 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 atore-
said and who shall have taken and subscribed the
following oath or affirmation: y 81 ..7u
81, -, do solemnly swear, or affirm, in the
presence of Almighty God, that am citizen OF
the State Of, that have resided in said State
for - months next preceding this day, and
now reside III the county of -, or the parish
. f., in said State, as the case may be; that
am 81 years old that / have not been disfran-
chised tor participation in any rebellion or civil
committed against the laws OF any State or of
the United States; that [ have never been
member OF any State legislature nor held any
executive judicial Office in any State, and at
forwards engaged in Instruction or rebellion
against the United States,i and given aid or COM
fort to the enemies thereof; that have never
taken an oath as member of Congress, OF the
United States, an officer OF the United
States, 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 instruction 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. 3D.. D.. ....
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 a convention
for the purpose of establishing 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 the most numerous branch OF the State
Legislature of such State i'll the year 1850, 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 as nearly
as may be. The Convention i'll Virginia shall
consist of the same number of members as rep
resented the territory constituting Vir-
ginia in the most numerous branch of the Legis-
lature OF said State in the year lS6O, to be appOr
toned aforesaid.
See 3. That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for againsta con-
vention to form constitution under this act
Those voting in favor of such convention shall
have written OF printed on the ballots by which
they vote for delegates, the words "for con-
Ycntion shall have written or printed on such
ballots the words ''against a 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 4 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. II Il majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for convention, then
such convention shall be held under this act
PiOpide9, That such convention shall not be held
unless majority of all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question of holding such
Sec 4. That the commanding general of each
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, superintend the cleo
ton, 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-
ton thereof; and if majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for 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
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
submitted by the convention for ratification to
the person registered under the provisions ofthis
net, at an election to be conducted by the OIL
GERS, or persons appointed by the commanding
general as hercinbefore provided, and to be held
after the expiration of thirty days from the date
Of notice thcrcoI to be given by said conven-
ton, and the returns thereof shall be made to
the commanding general of the district.
Sec. .. That if, according to said returns, the
constitution shall be ratified by majority of the
votes of the registered electors qualified as here
in specified, cast at said election, at least
half of all the registered voters voting upon the
question of such ratification, the president of the
convention Il Of
July 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
md qualified electors in the State had an oppor-
unity to vote freely and without restraint fear
Or the influence OF fraud, and if Congress shall
DC satisfied that such constitution meets the APP
prevail 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
nentary, and the other provisions of said act
shall have been complied with, and the said con-
'tltution shall be approved by Congress, the
State shall be declared entitled to representation,
md Senators aad Representatives shall beadmii-
ed thcrefrom as herein provided.
Sec. 8. That all elections in the States men
toned in the said 'Act to provide for the more
Efficient government of the rebel States,' shall,
Turing the operation of said act, be by ballot;
md all officers making the said registration of
TOters 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 effice, and the oath prescribed by the
ct approved July g 1862, entitled can act to
prescribe oath of Officer Provided, That lfany
person shall knowingly and falsely take and sub
cribe any oath in this act prescribed, such per-
on SO offending, and being thereof duly convict
ID, shall be subject to the pains, penalties and
disabilities which by law provided for the
punishment of the crime of wilful and corrupt |
'erjury. |
Sec. Z. That all expenses incurred by the sever
l commanding generals, by virtue of any Or
ers issued or appointments made by them under |
n by virtue of this act shall be paid out of shy |
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri- |
ted.
Sec. 8. That the convention for each State shall |
'rescribe the fees salary and compensation to be |
'aid to all delegates and other officers and agents
eren authorized or necessary to carry into effect
he purposes of this act, not herein otherwise
provided for, and shall provide for the levy and
objection of such taxes on the property in such
tate as may be necessary to pay the same. p |
Sec. 9. That the word ''article'' in the sixth |
ection of the act to which this is supplemental
y shall be construed to mean Section
SCHUYLER COLFAX, '..t...
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
LA FAYETTE s. FOSTER, --.
President of the Senate pro tempore.