The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1867-05-04

least thirty days public notice shall be
given, an election shall be held of dele.
gates to convention for the purpose
of establishing constitution and civil
government for such States loyal to
the Union; said convention in each
State. except Virginia, to consist Of
the same number of members as the
most numerous branch of the State
Legislature of such State in the year
1860, to be apportioned among the
several districts, counties or parishes
of such State by the commanding gen
eral, giving to each representation
the ratio of voters registered as afore.
said as nearly as may be. The con-
vention in Virginia shall consist of the
same numbers of members as repre-
scented the territory now constituting
Virginia in the most numerous branch
of the Legislature of said State in the
year 1860, to be appointed as aforesaid.
SEC. 3. That at said election regis
tered voters of each State shall vote for
or against a convention to form a con-
stitution therefor under this act.
Those voting in favor of such con-
vention shall have written or princeton
the ballots by which they vote for dele
gates, as aforesaid, the words ''for o
convention" and those voting against
such convention 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
thereat, as herein provided, shall count
and make return of the votes given for
and against a convention ana the
commanding general, to whom the
same shall have been returned, shall
,, ascertain and declare the total vote in
: each State for and against conyen-
ton. If a majority of votes given on
that question shall be for a convention,
then such convention shall be held as
hereinafter provided but if majority
of said votes shall be against conven.
ton, then no such convention shall be
held under this act: Provided, That
: such convention shall not be held un-
less a majority of all such registered
voters shall have voted on the question
- of holding such convention. .iss
Sec. 4. That the commanding gener-
;: al of each district shall appoint such
local officers or persons as may be
necessary, not exceeding three in each
election district, in any State, to make
and complete the registration, superin-
: tend the election, and make return to
: him of the votes, lists of voters, and Of
Il the persons elected rs delegates by q
plurality of the votes cast at said cleo
G ton and upon receiving said returns
he shall open the same, ascertain the
r persons elected as delegates according
to the returns of the officers who con-
i Quoted said election, and make procla-
u nation thereof; and if a majority Of the
e votes given on that question shall be
: for convention, the commanding gen.
N eral, within sixty days from the date of
s. election, shall notify the delegates to
i assemble in convention at time and
5, place to be mentioned in the notifca-
q ton, and said convention, when organ
lied, shall proceed to frame constitu-
e ton 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 sub.
mitted by the convention for ratifca-
ton TO the person registered under the
D provisions of this act, at an election
ID to be conducted by officers or persons
70 appointed by the commanding general
as to hereinbefore provided, and to be
held after the expiration of thirty days
A. from the date of notice thereof to be
le given by said convention, and the re.
le turns thereof shall be made to the COM
7, handing general of the district.
SEC. 5. That if, according to sait
returns, the constitution shall be rati
le fed by majority of the votes of thu
u registered electors qualified as herein
q, specified, cast at said election, at leas
= one half of all the registered voters vo
~ ting upon the question of such raifioa
- ton, the President of the convention
70 shall transmit copy of the same, duly
u certified, to the President of tho United
~ States, who shall forthwith transmit
u u the same to Congress if then in session
-, and if not in session, then immediatel,
~ upon its next assembling and if !
shall moreover appear to Congress
NO that the election was one at which allth
70 registered and qualified electors in tn
g State had an opportunity to vote freel.
and without restraint, fear, or infuenc
OF Of fraud, and if the Congress shall b
" satisfied that such constitution meet
"a the approval of majority of oil tn
-: y. qualified electors in the State, and
IFS the said constitution shall be declare
o. by Congress to be in conformity wit
20, the provisions of the act to which thi
: is supplementary, and the other pro
IS visions of said act shall have bee
e complied with, and the constitutio
81 shall be approved by Congress, th
Gu State shall be declared entitled to rel
NC resentation, and Senators and Repre-
en sentatives shall be admitted therefor
;ei as therein provided.
Id Sec. 6. That all elections in th
~ States mentioned in the said ''act
On provide for the more efficient govern
Gu ment of the rebel States shall durin
Is the operation of said act, be by ballo
a and all officers making the said regi!