The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1867-02-06
Republican Governments for the Late
Rebelllous States.


Fhe following is Mr.. Tbaddeus Stevens
Bill, now pending before Congress, to
provide Republican governments for the
lately rsbellious States:"
Whereas, the eleven States which lately
formed the Government called the "Con
fedcrate States Of America" have forfeit.
ed sll their rights under the Constitution, q,
and can be reinstated in the same only
through the action of Congress; there
fore,
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
Of Representatives Of tho United States of
America in Congress assembled, That the
eleven States lately in rebellion, except
Tennessee, may form valid State govern
ments in the following manner:
Section 2. A nd be it further enscted,
That tho State governments now existing
de tacto, though Illegally formed in the
midst Of martial law, and in many ini
stances the constitutions were adopted un.
der duress, and not submitted 10 the rati
ication Of the people, and therefore are
not to be treated as free republics, yet
they are hereby acknowledged as valid
governments for municipal purposes until
the same shall be duly altered, and their
legislative and executive officers shall be
recognized as such.
Section 8. And be it further enacted,
That each Of the ten States which were
lately in rebellion, an9 have not been ad
mtted to representation ia Congress, shall
hold elections on the first Tuesday Of
May, 1867, to choose delegates to a con
vention to form q State govsrnmsnt--
The convention shall consist OF the same
number Of members AZ the most numerous
branch Of the Legislature Of said State
before the rebellion. 1t shall meet at the
former capital Of said State Or tho 6rst
Monday in June Of said year, at twelve
o'clock noon, with power to adjourn from
time to time. and shall proceed to form q
State Constitution, which shall be sub
mitted TO the people at such time A. the
convention shall direct, and IL ratified BY
a majority Of legal vokes shall be declared
the Constitution Of the State. Congress
shall eject a commiss;ou for each OF the
said States, to. consist OF three persons,
who shall ts!ect, or direct the mode Of
selecting, the election Of officers for the
several election districts, which districts
shall be the same as before the rebellion.
unless altered by said commission. The
officers shall consist OF one judge aud two
inspectors Of elections, and two clerks;
he said officers, together with all the
expenses Of the election, shall be paid by
he United States, and said exp enses shall
Do repaid by said State or Territory
Each Of said officers shall receive Ave dol
ars per day fol the time actually EN-
ployed. Each Of tho members OF said
shall receive three thousand
dollars per snnum and their clerks two
thousand dollars. The com mission sh all
procure all the necessary books. stationery
and boxes, and make all regulations to
affect the objects Of this act. The Presi
dent Of the United States and the military
OF the district shall furnish go
much military aid as the said commission.
ers shall deem necessary to protect the
polls and keep the peace at each Of said
election districts. u, by any means, no
election should be held in any Of said late
States en- the day herein fixed, then the
election shall be held on the third Mon.
day Of May, 1867, in the manner herein
prescribed. Returns OF all such elections
shall ts made to the said commissioners,
whose certificates of election shall be
prima tacie evidence Of the fact.
Section 4. And be it further enacted,
That the persc MS who shall bs entitled to
vote at both Of said selections shall be as
follows: All male citizens above the age
Of 81 years, who have resided one year ip
said State, and ten days within the elec.
ton district.
Section 5. And be it further enacted,
That the word citizen, as used in this act,
shall be considered TO mean all persons
Except 'InGians not taxed) born in the
United States, or duly naturalizsd. Any
male citizen above the age of 81 years
shall be competent to be elected 10 act as
delegate to said convention.
Section @. And be it further enacted,
That all persons who, on the fourth day
Of March. 1851, were of full age, who
held office, either civil or military, under
the government called the Confederate
States Of America" or who swore allegi
sncs to said government, are hereby de
clared to have forfeited their citizenship,
and to have renounced allegiance to the
United States, and shall not be entitled TO
exercise the elective franchise or hold,
office until five years after they shall have
fled their intention or desire to be re
invested with the right Of citizenship. and
'hsll swear allegiance to the United
States, and renounce allegiance to all
',her governments or pretended govern
nents; the said application to be filed
md oath taken in the same courts that,
~ lava are authorized to naturalize
oreigners; provided, however, that on
aking the following oath, the party, be,
ng otherwise qualified, shall be allowed
o vote and hold Office
81, A. b., do solemnly swear, ON the
Holy Evangelist Of Almighty God, that on