The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-04-06
THE RECoNsTRUCTION.

The military reconstruction bill having
been officially promulgated the Gene
nIs having assumed command of the
several departments a supplementary
bill having been passed, and Congress
adjourned, it may be well TO present the
statute coIlectedly as it came somewhat
confused over the lines in its shuttle
cock process Of legislation, oscillating
between the House and the Senate,
amended in one and refused in the other.
The bill was originally introduced by
Stevens. Blaine offered an amendment,
which the House refused to adopt, and
passed the Stevens bilE The Senate
favored the Blaine amendment, and Sher-
man introduced substitute, incorpor-
rating his amendment in Section five.
This substitute passed the Senate, and
was returned 10 the House. which re-
fused 10 concur, and asked committee
of conference. The Senate refused and
insisted on "a substitute In the House,
Wilson cf Iowa, moved to concur, with
provision as an amendment, to which
Shallabargcr added an amendment.
With these amendments the House adopt
ed the Sherman bill. and the Senate at
once accepted. The bill was sent 70 the
President returned with his veto, and,
passed overit. The following is a synOp-
sis Of
suEENAz's SUBSTITUTE.
The preamble declares that no State govern
mentor adeq protection for life OF proper
ty exists In the rebel States of Virginia, North
CAROLINA, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Texas and
Arkansas, and that 1t is necessary that peace
and good order should be enforced until loyal
and Republican State governments can be
legally established.
SECTI0x divides the States named into FIVE
military districts, rs the Stevens bill
Sec. makes it the duty of the President
to assign to the command of each district an
Q6cer Of the army, not below the rank of
Bdgadier-GeneraI, and detail sufficient mill
hry force To enforce his authority within the
district, etc.
Sec. makes it the duty of such officer to
EEnteCy all persons In their rights of person
and property; to suppress insuTectlon, dis
1HtsF and violence; and to punish, or cause 60
b punished. all disturbars of the peace and
criminals. He may allow local evil tribunals
70 try, and punish offenders, OF may Organize
military tribunals for that purpose. All IN
'lierence with State authority Is declared
uull and void.
Sec provides that all persons arrested
'aall be tried without necessary delay. No
Glei or unusual punishment shall be inflicted,
AID no sentence affecting life and liberty shall
= e1ecGted until approved by the commander
Of the district.
Sec. 5. That when the people of any one of
lle said rebel States shall have formed a Con-
satution and governments in conformity with
NE Constitution of the United States, In all
ls5peets, framed by a convention of delegates
5l7cted by male citizens of said States, twenty
ne years old and upward, of whatever race OF
o2ior or previous condition, who have been
sssidents IN said State for one year previous to
el= Day Of such election, except such as may
p qisiranchised for participation IN the re
-5lAoui or for felony at common laws and
-lsu such Constitution shall provide that the
aectlve franchise shall be enjoyed by all such
FsIaohs as bay qualifications herein stated tor
creators of delegates; and when such Constr
.41on shall be ratified by majority OF per
gAs voting on the question of ratification,
40 are qualified as electors for delegates, and
80 such Constitution shall have been sub
-HVsd 10 Congress for examination and ap-
Ito'al, and Congress shall have approved the
f-ns' aud when said State by vote OF 1t
1sslature elected under said Constitution
Lal have adopted the amendment TO the Con
TItsauon OF the United States proposed by tbs
t--ty Ninth Congress, and known article
'@t-sni and when said article shall have
some part Of the Constitution of the
sa'tet States, said State shall be declared en-
'i-l 10 representation In Congress, and shall
Samisted therefrom on their taking tbs
~ Prescribed by law, and then aud there
- the preceding sections of this act shall b'
-nopeutive In said State
WILSON'S PRovIso.
FfoYided, That no person excluded from tn,
4-''isse Of holding Office by said proposition