The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-09
The Reconstruction Act.
The following is Il correct copy Of the ac

The following is correct copy OF the ac
"to provide for the more efficient govern
ment of the rebel States" as it passed:
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE MORE EFF
CIENT GOVERNMENT OF THE REBEL STATES
WHEREAS no legal State governments or AIDE
ouatc protection for life Or property now exist:
in the rebel States of Virginia. North Carolina
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana
Florida, Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas, alt
whereas, tits necessary that peace and good order
should be enforced in said States until loyal anC
republican Stat" governments can be legally es
tablished; therefore,
BE it e.,Gctcd By tie lSanate and Ho,HSe IF Repre-
SentatipoS Of tie Ui,ited Soes Of -tA:srica il Con-
gTY$S assembled, That said rebel States shall
be divided into military districts, and made sub
ject to the military authority OF the nited States,
as hereinafter prescribed, and Tor t'iHt purpose
Virginia shall constitute the first district NORTH
Carolina and South Carolina the second district ;
GEORGIA. Alabama and FLORIDA the third district A.;
Mississippi and Arkansas the fourth district, and
Louisiana and Texas the fifth district.
SEC 2 -faa6e It. tH!fi(y' eHactld, That it shall
be the duty OF the President To assign TO The COM
mand OF each of said districts an officer OF the
army not below the rank OF brigadier general,
and TO detail sufficient military force to enable
such officer TO perform his duties and enforce
his authority within lie district TO which he Is
assigned.
SEC g. Ind be Il JilriI.e' enacted, That it
shall be the duty Of each officer assigned as afore
said to protect all persons in their rights of per-
son and property, to suppress Instruction, dis
order, ana violence, ana 10 punish or cause 10 be
punished all diSturbcrs of the public peace and
criminals and to this end he may allow local
civil tribunals to take jurisdiction of and Try
offenders, or when in hi Judgment it may be
necessary for the trial of offenders, he shall have
power to organize military commissions or tri-
bunals for that purpose; and all interference
under color of Stale authority with Tie eXcr
authority
null and void.
SEC. 4. And be it Jtsrti:eI' e1oct5,7 That all
persons PUT under military arrest by virtue OF
this act shall be tried without unnecessary delay
and no cruel or unusual punishment shall be in
hicted; and no sentence of any military com
mission or tribunal hereby authorized, affecting
the life or liberty OF any person. shall bc cXecu-
ted until it is approved by the officer in command
Of the district and the laws and regulations for
the government ui the army shall not be affected
by this act, except i'll 50 far as they may conflict
with lis provisions hUgitIed, That no sentence
OF death under the provisions of this act shall be
carried into effect without the approval OF the
President.
SEC. >. -4nd be Hfi!,fler enacted, That when
the people OF any OF the aforesaid rebel States
snail have formed Constitution oi government
in conformity With the Constitution OF the
United States in all respects framed by Il
convention OF delegates elected by the male
citizens OF said State tWcnty-Onc Years Old and
upward, OF whatever race, color, previous
condition, who have been resident in said State
for year previous to the day Uf such election,
except such Is may he DISTINGUISHED for partiCi-
patton in the rebellion tor felony at common
law; and when such constitution shall provide
that the elective franchise sa! lie cnoErd hv all
such prrsG ems haN" the Til&li.ic.I ions herein |
stated for election OF delegates ana when such |
constitution shalt be ratified by majority OF the
persons voting OIL the question OF ratification WHO
qualified electors for delegates, and when
such constitution shall have been submitted TO
Congress for examination and approval, and !
illrDEcl