The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-07
RECONSTRUCTION.
Supplementary to the Stevens.Sherman-
----. SheIlabarger Bill.

Supplementary to the Stevens.Sherman-
| SheIlabarger Bill.
An ACT supplemental to an act entitled an act 10
provide for the more efficient government OF
the rebel States, passed March Z, 1851, ana TO
facilitate restoration.
Be ~ enacted By the Senate and House Of Repre-
Se,tatiues Of the United States Of america a Con-
1,ess assembled, That before the first day of
September 1857 the commanding general in each
district defined by an act entitled an act to pro-
vide for the more efficient government of the rebel
States, approved March 2, 1867, shall cause reg
istration to be made of the male citizens of the
United States, twenty one years or age ana up
wards resident in each county or parish in the
State or States included in his district, which reg
stration will include only those persons who are
qualified to vote for delegates by the act atore-
said and who shall have tax en- and subscribed the
following oath or affirmation:
81 -, do sOlenuly 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 Of or the pfllsh
Of, in said State, as the case may be; that
am 81 years old; that | have not been dlsfran,
chised tor participation in any rebellion or civil
war against the United States, nor for felony
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 or judicial office in amy State, and al
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, an Otncer OF the UnlGeu
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 lnsurrectlon 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.
See = That after the completion of the regis
trition hereby provided for IN any State at such
time and place therein as the commanding gen
era may appoint and direct, of which at least
thirty days public notice shall be given, an cleo
ton shall be held of delegates to Il convention
for the purpose of establishing a constitution
and civil government for such State loyal to the
Union: said convention i'll each State, except
Virginia. to consist of the same number OF MEM
beers the most numerous branch of the State
Legislature of such State in the year 1860, TO be
apportiOned among the several districts, cOun-
ties, or parishes of such State by the command
ing general, giving to each, representation in the
ratio of voters registered as aforesaid, nearly
as may be. The Convention i'll Virginia shall
consist of the same number of members as rep
resented the territory now constituting Vir-
gna in the most numerous branch of the Legis-
ature OF said State in the year 1861 to be appor-
toned as aforesaid.
Sec 5. That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for against con-
ventiOn to form constitution under this act
Those voting in favor of such Il 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 con-
vention shall have written or printed on such
ballots the words against convention" The
persons appointed to superintend said election,
and to make return of the votes given thcrcat,
herein provided, shall count and make return
Of the votes given for and against conventions
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. If Il majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for convention, then
such convention shall be held under this act:
Proci1ed. That such convention shall not be held
unless Il majority of all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question Of holding such
convention.
See +. That the commanding general of each
district shall appoint such 10 al officers per-
sons may be necessary, not exceeding three in
each election district in uny 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 Il plurality of the votes cast ut said election;
and upon receiving said returns he shall open
the same ascertain the persons elected a. dele
gates according to the returns of the officers
who conducted said election and make procama-
ton thereof; and if majority Of the votes given
on that question shall be for convention, the
commanding general, within sixty days from the
date of election, shall notify the delegates to as
sembe in convention at time and place to be
mentioned in the notification, and said Conven
tion, when organized, shall proceed to frame a
Constitution and civil government according to
it is supplementary; and when the same shall
have been 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 by the Off
GERS, or persons appointed by the commanding
general as hereinbetore provided, and to be held
after the expiration of thirty days from the date
of notice Thereof to be given by said conven-
ton, and the returns thereof shall be made to
the commanding general of the district.
Sec. D. That if, according to said returns, the
constitution shall be ratified by a 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 shall transmit copy of the same,
duly 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
and qualified electors in the State had an oppor-
tunity TO vote freely and without restraint, fear
or the influence OF fraud, and if Congress shall
be satisfied that such constitution meets the ap-
proval of a 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
stitution shall be approved by Congress, the
State shall be declared entitled to representation
and Senators and Representatives shall beadmit-
led therefrOm as herein provided
Sec. o. That all elections in the States men
llOncQ IN the Sald "Act TO provide Tor the more
Efficient government of the rebel States" shall,
during the operation of said act, be by ballot;
md all officers making the said registration of
voters and conducting said elections shall, before
entering upon the discharge of their duties, sub
scribe an oath faithfully to perform the duties of
heir said efice, and the oath prescribed by the
lct approved July 2, 1862, entitled can act to
prescribe an oath of office'' Provided, That lfany
'erson shall knowingly and falsely take and sub
scribe 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 are provided for the
punishment of the crime of wiful and corrupt
,erjury.
Sec. z. That all expenses incurred by the sever
l commanding generals, or by virtue of any
ers issued or appointments made by them under |
" by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri- |
ted.
Sec. s. That the convention for each State shall |
prescribe 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
rOVided for, and shall provide for the levy and
objection of such taxes on the property in such
tate as may he necessary to pay the same
Sec 9. That the word article in the sixth