Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-03-12
The Biil. Calling a State Convention


In tIs senate Wednesday, Mr.. Boiling, from tas
select committee of thirteen, whom was referred
the Governors message, &c, reported The following
hill for the call of State convention. 1t was pass
ed to third reading, and made the order for yes
Ieday:
WHEREAS The Congress Of the United States OF
The % day of March, 1867, passed an act entitled
"An ret 10 provide for The more efficient government
of the rebel Siates,'' in lie following words:
I'VE omit the bill, as il has already been pub
lished.l
people any one of the aforesaid States may form
q CONSTRUCTOR; and VT ereas the said act prescribes
the only mode whereby such Constitution may be
forned therefore, III pursuance with the provisions
Of the act Aforesaid.
l. Be IT ENACTED ny tbs GENERAL ASSEMBLY
That the Governor shall on or before The 10Th LAY
OF April mkt appoint three persons in each county,
in She corporation OF Williamsburg and 10 cath
PoraiiOn Ia which wards are established, CONS
iussioners, any two or more of whom may act 10
superuteud the elections at the house OF 1.-THE
county or corporation. The SSmmissiouers APP
pointed by the Governor in each county orcorpo.
ration shall appoint three commissioners fer each
place therein al which separate poll is required
by law to be taken, any two more OF whom may
act 10 superiuIend the elections such places aud
officer to conduct such election at each place for
holding ire same.
Said commissioners shall, on the first Thursday
in May next, open polls all the places for voting
10 this Commonwealth, for The purpose OF Sreclfnp
delegates, III number and form rs hereinafter pros
vided, to eel in Convention, Iie Capitol in the
city OF Richmond, on the third Monday, in May next
TO form "a constitution of government in conformity
with said RcCof Congress.
The number OF delegates TO eaid Convention shall
be the same as the number of members allowed BY
law for the House Delegates, aud shall he appor.
toned among the c"unties cities aud towns of the
COmmouweallh said members of the House OF
Delegates are HPpOriOned- The election districts
shall be the same that now prescribed by law
for the election of members TO the House of Dele
gates.
4 hall he
election who are qualified to vote by the of
Congress aforesaid.
4. Tie said elections shall in all respects be con-
Quoted IN the mode now prescribed by law, and the
Officers conducting the same shall be vested with
the powers, perform the duties receive The cOmpen>
cation and be liable 10 the penalties prescribed by
law for general elections except as herein ptoTi.
ded.
5 The poll shall remain open one day only,
and the manner of exam ming the polls and compar>
ing the returns and Certifying the election shall be
the sGme prescribed oy LAW il cdse oi cleo
lion OF delegates the General Assembly, that the
certificate OF election required by law be forward
ed to The CLERK VI the House of Delegates shall be
forwarded to the Governor. - -;
G. The said Convention shall be the Judge OF its
own privileges and elections, and the members
thereO; shall have, posses aud enjoy all the pTivi
eyes which members Ell cted TO, and moreover shall
he allowed The l!y for travelling to atIendin.
on aud recruiting FRY: The said Couv emton as ID
now alo ed 10 meEiUsrs of Ihe General Assembly
for like services.
Z. The Sal Convention Is hereby empowered to
appoint SuCn CTl-eTS anu make them such reasOna-
bic alOWa rccs Tor their services i: shall deem
proper; which several allowances shall be audited
by the Auditor of Public Accounts and paid by the
Treasurer OF the Commonwealth out OF any money
in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
s. The expenses Incurred in providing poIlS6oo-s
and in procuring writer's TO keep the Same, shall lie
betrayed as heretofore in the election of members
Of the General Assembly.
9. Immediately upon the passage OF This act, the
Governor shall issue proclamation giving notice
thereof of the time OF holding the election and of
the meeting OF the Convention herein prov .ded
for.
TO- Every commissioner, conductor and writer
appointed to conduct the election under this act
Ehall, before entering the discharge of his du
ties, take oath tOthe following I'll o solcnny
swear that in the election about to be held will
faithfully and inpartialIy dischaT &C duties aP-
pertaining to my Office, according law, help
Inc God; which ga IN may be administered by
person authorized by law to administer oaILs, ani
Ia thc absence OF such person. be adIn;niste:
by the officers Aforesaid to each other and per
son shall act a. such officer under this unless he
10 qu"lned TO vote for delegates said Convention
The Constitution formed by said Convention shall
be submitted for ratification aid approval pro
TIdst by the act OF Congress aforesaid.
II The Secretary OF the Commonwealth shall
cause to be sent To the clerk OF each county and cor
p0ratioE many copies of this as there are pre-
To drIiv' the to the sheriff for distribution
VINO shall forthwith cause copy to be puSIed the
front door OF his Court house, and al public
place ia each election district.
ID. EhIs act shall be III force from its passage.