The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-12
RECONSTRUCTION.
Supplementary to the Stevens-Sherman.
"a Shella barger Bill.

3. ks 49, Shellabarger Bill.
AN ACT supplemental to an act entitled an act to
g provide for the more efficient government OIL
|, the rebel States, passed March 2, 1857, and to
l. facilitate restoration.
d Be AZ enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
r sentatiyes Of the United States Of AnericG in Con
d greSs assembled, That before the first day OF
! September, 1867, the commanding general in each
district defined by an act entitled an act to pro-
: States approved March 2, 1867 shall cause reg
| istraton 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 States included in his district, which
istration will include only those persons who are
qualified to vote for delegates by the act aiore-
following oath or affirmation:
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 in the county #, or the parish
Of, in said State, as the case may be; that
am 81 years old that have not been dstran-
chised tor participation in any rebellion or civil
war against the United States, nor for felony
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 instruction or rebellion
against the United States, and given aid or COM
fort to the enemies thereof; that l have never
taken an oath as member of Congress of the
United States, or officer of the United
| States, or as 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
belon 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 affirmation may be administered
| by any registering officer.
Sec =. That after the completion of the regis
tration hereby provided for in any State at such
! time and place therein the commanding gen
appoint direct. a
! thirty days public notice shall be given, an cleo
| ton shall be held of delegates 10 convention
! for the purpose of establishing a 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 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, parishes of such State by the command
ing general giving to each, representation in the
ratio OF voters registered as aforesaid, nearly
may be- The Convention in Virginia shall
consist of the same number of members us rep
resented the territory now constituting Fir-
ginia in the most numerous branch of the Legs-
atnre OF said State in the year 1860, to be appor-
toned as aforesaid
Sec ). That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for against con-
vention to form Il 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-
vention;' and those voting against such a con-
vention shall have written printed on such
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 III each State for and against
il convention. Ii majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for convention then
such convention shall be held under this act:
F'o"ided, That such convention shall not be held
unless majority of all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question of holding such
convention.
Sec 4. That the commanding general of each
district shall appoint such 10 .al officers or per-
sons us 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 o. the persons elected as delegates
by plurality OF the votes cast at said election;
ana upon receiving said returns he shall open !
the same, ascertain the persons elected as 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 Tor a convention the
commanding general, within sixty DAYS from the
date OF election, shall notify the delegates to as
sembe in convention at a time and place to be
mentioned in the notification, and said Copyen
ton, when organized shall proceed to frame a
Constitution and civil government according IN
the provisions of this act and the act to which
1t 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 of this
act, at an election TO be conducted bv the Off
GERS, or persons appointed by the commanding
general as hercinbefore provided, and to be held
alter the expiration of thirty days from the date
OF notice Thereof to be given by said corvrn
ton, and the returns thereof shall be made to
the commanding general of the district.
Sec ,. That If, according to said returns tho
constitution shall be ratified BY a majority Of the
votes of the registered electors qualified as here
IN spec'led, cast at said election at least one
- OF all the registered voters voting upon the
question of such ratification the president of the
convention shall transmit Il copy of the same
duly certified to the President of the limited
states who shall forthwith transmit the same to
Congress, If then in session, and if not in Sos
sion, then Immediately upon its next assrmhlinr.
ana II IL snail moreover appear to Congress that
the election was one at which all the reristered
ana Qualified electors in the State had an oppor-
tunlty 10 vote freely and without restraint f.or ,
or the influence OF fraul, and if Congress shall {
DC satisfied that such constitution meets the ap-
Froral OF majority of the qualified electors In {
the state, and IL the said constitution shall ho +
declared by Congress to be in conformity with {
Inc provisions OF the act to which this is supple
nentary, and the other provisions of said net 7
nan uaNe peen complied with, and the said con-
,itutiOn shall be approved by Congress the O
STATE snail be declared entitled to representation
ma Senators and Representatives shall beadmit
ed theretrom as herein provided
Sec. b. That all elections in the States mon
Toned in the said 'Act to provide for the more
fhcient government of the rebel States" shall
lu,lnS the operation of said act, be by ballot:
ha all oHcers making the said registration of [
oters and conducting said elections shall, before
nterlng upon the discharge of their duties, sub +
crioe an oath faithfully to perform the duties of
n nc sald elce and the oath prescribed by the
rescribe an oath of office;'' Provided, That lfany
erson shall knowingly and falsely take and sub. !
crlbc any oath in this act prescribed, such per
on so offending, and being thereof duly convict L
d, shall be subject to the palms, penalties and Ii
lsaoihties which by law are provided for the o
erjury. N 'ot'"p' g
Sec. T. That all expenses incurred by the sever \
commanding generals, by virtue of any Or d
ers issued orappointments made by them upder RI
oy virtue OF this act, shall be paid out of sny
ted. "PP'oPii- d
Sec g. That the convention for each State shall a
re3crlbe the fees, salary and compensation to be
nd to all delegates and other officers and agents
eren authorized or necessary carry into effect II
rovided for, and shall provide for the levy and
election of such taxes on the property in such
are are as may be necessary to pay the same.