The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-29
RECONsTRUCTION.
supplementary to the Stevens-Sherman-
Shellabarger Bill.

ANAcT supplemental to an act entitled an act Il
provide for the more efficient government o
the rebel States, passed March 2, 1867, and t.
facilitate restoration.
Be ~ enacted by Tie Senate and House Of Repre-
Srtati0es Of tie United States Of Ai'ae'ica IN Con
qYess assembled, That before the first day o
September, 1867, the commanding general in eacl
district defined by all act entitled an act to pro
vide for the more efficient government Of the rebe
States, approved March 2, 1867, shall cause reg
United States, twenty one years OF age and up
wards, resident in each county or parish in the
State or States included in his district, Whichreg
istration will include only those persons who art
qualified to vote for delegates by the act afore
said, and who shall have taken and subscribed tho
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 Of -, or the parish
of -, in said State, as the case may be; that
am 81 years old; that have not been dsfran-
chised Tor participation in any rebellion or civil
war against the United States, nor for felony
the United States; that l have never been a
member OF any State Legislature, nor held any
executive or judicial office in any State, and af-
terwards engaged in instruction or rebellion
against the United States, and given aid or COM
fort to the enemies thereof; that 1 have never
taken an oath as member of Congress of the
United States, an officer of the United
States, or as Il 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 or re-
belli0n 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. q That after the completion OF the regis
tration hereby provided for in any State at such
time and place therein as the commanding gen
cral may appoint and direct, of which at least
thirty days public notice shall be given, an cleo
ton shall be held of delegates to u convention
for the purpose of establishing 4 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
bcrs as the most numerous branch of the State
Legislature of such State in the year 1850, 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 in Virginia shall
consist Of the same number of members as rep
resented the territory now constituting Vir-
ginia in the most numerous branch Of the Legis-
laturc OF said State in the year 1861 to be appOr
| toned as aforesaid.
Sec g. That at said election the registered yo-
tiers of each State shall vote for or against con-
Vcntion to form constitution under this act
| Those voting in favor OF such a convention shall
have written printed on the ballots by which
| they vote for delegates, the words "for q con-
! ventiOn;" and those voting against such a con-
vuntion shall have written or printed on such
| ballots the words against a convention" The
| 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
| shah have been returned shall ascertain and de-
clare the total vote in each State for and against
| 4 convention. If majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for convention, then
Sucb convention shall hp held nclpr tl,iS of
Prcpided, 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 LOCAL officers per-
sons as 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 of the persons elected as delegates
by Il plurality of the votes cast at said election
and 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
that question shall he for a convention, the
commanding general, within sixty days from the
date of election, shall notify the delegates to as
scmble in convention at time and place to be
mentioned in the notification, and said Conven
ton, when organized, shall proceed to frame Il
Constitution and civil government according to |
the provisions of this act and the act to which |
it is supplementary; and when the same shall |
have been so framed, said Constitution shall be |
submitted by tie convention for ratification to |
the person registered under the provisions ofthis
act, ut an election to be conducted by the Off
GERS, orpersons appointed by the commanding |
general as liereinbefore 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. 5. That if, according to said returns, the
constitution shall be ratified by majority of the
votes of the registered electors qualified as here
in specified, cast at said election, at least one
half of all the registered voters voting upon the
question of stch 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 III SEES
sion, then Immediately upOnits next assembling;
and if it shall moreover appear to Congress that
the election one at which all the registered
and qualified electors III the State had an oppor-
tunty to vote freely and without restraint, fear
or the influence of fraud, and if Congress shall
be satisfied that such constitution meets the APP
proval of a majority of the qualified electors In
the State, and II the said constitution shall be
declared by Congress to be in conformity with
the provisions of the act to which this is supple
mentary, and the other provisions of said act
shall have been complied with, and the said con-
sttution shall be approved by Congress, the
State shall be declared entitled to representation
and Senators AID Representatives shall be admit
ted therefrom as herein provided.
Sec. q. That all elections in the States men,
toned in the said ss'Act to provide for the more
efficient government Of the rebel States,'' shall,
during the operation of said act, be by ballot;
and 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
their said effice, and the oath prescribed by the
act approved July 2, 1862, entitled ''Ah act to
prescribe an oath of Office" Provided, That 1fany
person shall knowingly and falsely take and sub
scribe any oath in this act prescribed, such per-
son so offending, and being thereof duly convict
ed, shall be subject to the pains, penalties and
disabilities which by law are provided for the
punishment of the crime Of wilful and corrupt
perjury.
Sec. T. That all expenses incurred by the sever
II commanding generals, or by virtue of any Or
lers issued or appointments made by them under
Dr. by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
lted.
Sec. s. That the convention for each State shall
prescribe the fees, salary and compensation to be
paid to all delegates and other officers and agents
herein authorized necessary to carry into effect
the purposes of this act, not herein otherwise
provided for, and shall provide for the levy and
collection of such taxes on the property in such
State as may he necessary to pay the same.
Sec. g. That the word article in the sixth
section of the act to which this is supplemental
y shall be construed to mean ''section"