Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-02-28
The Military Force Bill as it Finally
Passed.

The following Is a eOrrec, copy of this bill, as
passed by both Houses OF Congress;
wuxar,s. No legal State Governments or ade-
oua;e protection for life property now exists in
49, Rabel Stats OF Virginia North Carolina. South
Carolina Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana
Florida Texas, and Arkansas;
Axo WusRSAS IL is necessary that peace and
Good order should be enforced IN said States and
loyal and republican State governments be legally
established; therefore.
Bsi enacted br the Senate and House 0f Repre-
sentatives of the United States of America in Con-
rress ass ,rbled That said Rebel States shall BE- d.
vided into military districts aud made subject to
the military authority Of the Unit-d States as here
matter prescribed; and for that purpose Virginia
shall constitute the First District North Carolina
ard South Carolina the second DistTic;-Georgia.
Alabama a nd Florida the Third Observation-Disclosures
pi and Arkansas the Fourth District, and Louisi-
ana aud Texas the Fifth District.
+ Sec . And b. IL further enacted. That II shall
be the duty Of the President ~ assign 10 the com
Inand Of each Of said districts an officer OF the army
notbelow the rank of b5igadier general. and n de-
tail sufficient military force to enable such officer
70 nertn-rn his duties and enforce his authority
within the district 10 which he is assigned.
Sec. 3. And be il further enacted. That it shall
be the duty OF each officer assigned as aforesaid IN
protect all persons in their rights OF person and
pr0nertv-tn suppress insurrectiOn. disorder, and
violence and to punish cause 70 be punished al
disturbers Of the public peace and criminals-and
To this end be nav allow lacai civil tribunals 20 take
Jurisdiction Of and ~ try ON,nders-Or when IN his
Judgment II benecessary for the trial OF often
d,rs he shall have power to organize military com
missions or tribunals for that purpose. and all in
terfe-pDca undr color of State authority, with the
exercise Of military authority under this act shall
be null and void.
Sec l. And be il farther enacted. That all persons
nut under military arrest By virtue OF hs act shai
b. tried without unnecessary deiay. and no cruel
or unusual punishment shall be inflicted l. and no
sentence of any military commission or tribunal
hereby authorized. affecting IN, life or liberty OF
any rarson shall be acu:ed until IT approved BY
tn officer in command of the disirict-and the laws
AMI regulations for the government OF the army
shall not he ct.d by this act, except in 80 far
thew conflict with Its provisions; provided, that no
sentence of death under the provisions OF this act
shall Be carried into effect without the approval OF
tn President OF the United States.
Section :. Be it further enacted That when the
pcorle al anv one Of said Reb States shall have
formed a constitutional government in conformity
with the Constitution Of the United States. in all
rcsnccts framed by convention of delegates elect
ed bv the male citizens Of said State. twcnty-one
wears old and upwards. Of whatever race. color, or
nrcvious condition. who have been residents IN said
State for one year previous IN the dav OF SucE ccc
ton. except such as may be DISTINGUISHED for par
tcination in REBELLION or for felony at common law.
and when such Constitution shall provide that the
elective franchise shall be enjovcd by all such per
sons as have the qualifications herein stated for O.
lection Of d gates and when such Constitution
shall be adopted bv ne i'y OF the persons voting
or the question Of ratification who are qualified az
electors for delegates. and when such Constitution
shall hove been subrittnd to Congress for exairna-
tom and approyal and Congress shall have APPROX
Cd the sane and when said Stata. by vote o! IL
LEGISLATURE. elected under said Constitution. shall.
have adortod the amendment tn the Constitution
If tho United States proposed BIZ the Thrty-ninth
CONGRESS and known a article u; and when SAID
article shall have b. c1me part OF tn" Con .ttuu"n
or tho Unit States said State shall be declared
entitled 10 representation in Congress. and Sena-
tors and Representatives shall BE- admitted there
from on their taking the oath prescribed by law,
and thereafter the preceding sections OF tins act
shall not be in operation in said STATE; Provided
That no person excud d from thepriyilege OF hold
ing ofFic9 by the said proposed amendment to the
Consultation of the United States shall be eligible
IN election rs a member Of a convention To frame
\ constitution for any said Rebel States. nor shall
\, such erson vote Cor a member of said cOnyen-
ton.
section c. And be it further enacted That IN
III the people OF said r. bel States shall! be by law
admitted to representation in the Congress OF the
United States any civil government which may ex-
therein shaft IL decTICu provisional only and IN
III -. -nccts subject to the paramount authority OF
-, Tni,.G States at any time to abolish. m"diiy.
- ~ s,,nn -"ede the same, and in all elections
-. a., 6f;co under sch provisional government all
,,,r.cns sbaIl ba entitled :" vote and none other
Who are entitled 70 vote under the provisions o. me
fifth section Of this act and no persG" shal DC elsi
bic TO any u'fica under such provisional ~ ~
who would be disqualified from holding orc ~,
the provisions Of the third article OF saia cons'.
tiOnal amendment.