Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-22
RECGNSTRUCTION.
assage Of the Military Government
nm Nv Conrress-.T,lle RIII in Full.

Senate on the goth inst Mr. Doolittle Of
fered an amendment to the amendment as
follow:
Provided. That nothing contained IA this
act shall be 80 construed az 70 disiranchise
any persons In either Of said states from
voting or holding Office who have received
pardon or amnesty in accordance with the
constitution and laws.
Mr.. sherman said that If the House
amendments were too harsh for the South
ern people, who had the Democrats in the
House 10 thank for It. A minority Of the
Union party, assisted by every Democrat
helped 20 defeat the acceptance Of this pro
position IN the House, and left il open for
further amendment.
Mr. Hendricks defended the action OF
the Democrats IN the House They could
not have voted differently without placing
themselves on record as in favor Of the bill,
to which they were opposed in every re-
spect.
After some further debate, Mr. Doolit-
ties amendment waB rejected--yeas s, nays
3D.
Mr. Wilson offered an amendment, a. an
additional section, 10 vacate all Offices nov
held under Rebel authority within ninety
days after the passage Of the act. Disa-
greed 10.
The amendment Of the House was then
ConCurred IN.
Yaas-AIessrs Brown. Cafteli, Chandler,
Conness, Crozier, Cresswell, Edmonds, Fes-
sender, Fogg, Fowler, Frelinghuysen, Har-
rison, Henderson, Howard, Howe, John
son, Kirkwood, Lane, Morgan, Morrill,,
Poland, Pomeroy, Ramsey, Ross, Sher-
man, Stewart Sumner, Trumbull Van
Wrinkle, Wade, Wiley, Williams, Wilson
Yaiea-35.
Nays-Messrs. Buckalew, Cowan, Davis,
Hendricks, Nesmith, Patterson, SauIs-
bury.
TIE BILL As 1T PASSED.
The following is the text Of the bin as ii
finally passed both Houses
AN ACT for the more efficient government OF
the Rebel States
Whereas no legal Stale governments or
adequate protection for life or property
now exist in the Rebel States Of Virginia,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, and
Arkansas. and whereas it Is Necessary that
peace and good order should be enforced
ia said States until loyal and republican
States governments can be legally estab-
lishcd, therefore,
BE it enacted, etc, Thatslid Rebel States
shall be divided into military districts, and
made subject 10 the military authority OF
the United States, m hereinafter prescribed;
and for that purpose Virginia shall consti-
tule the first district, North Carolina aud
South Carolina the second district, Georgia
Alabama and Florida, the third district
Mississippi and Arkansas the fourth dis
trict, and Louisiana and Texas the fifth
district.
Sec. , That it shall be the duty Of the
President 10 assign TO the command Of each
Of said districts an officer Of the army not
below the rank Of Brigader General, and
10 detail a sufficient military force 10 en-
able such officer 10 perform his duties and
enforce his authority within the district to
which he is assigned.
Sec 3. That it shall be the duty Of each
officer assigned as aforesaid 10 protect all
persons in their rights Of person and pro-
pcrty, TO suppress Instruction, disorder and
violence, and 10 punish or cause TO be pun
ished all disturbers of the public peace and
criminals. and 10 this end he may allow
local civil tribunals TO take jurisdiction Of
and try offenders, or when in his iudg-
ment il may he necessary for the trial of
offenders. he shall have power 10 organize
military commissions or tribunals for that
purpose: and all interference under color
of State authority with the exercise Of mill
tarv authority under this act shall be nall
aud void
Sec. 4. That all persons put under mill
tary arrest by virtue of this act shall be
tried without unnecessary delay, and no
cruel or unusual punishment shall be in
Hicted and no sentence of any military
commission or tribunal hereby authorized,
affecting the life OF liberty Of any person,
shall be executed until it If approved by
the officer In command Of the district and
the laws and regulations for the govern
ment of the army shall not he affected by
this act. except in 80 far as they may con
tiict with itsprovisions.
Sec. 3. That when the people of any one
of the said Rebel States shall have formed 8
constitution Of government in conformity
with the constitution of the United State
in all respects, framed 10y convention O
delegates elected by the male citizens o
said State twcnty-one years old and upward
Of whatever race, color, or condition, who
have been a resident in said State for on'
wear previous 20 the day of such election
except such as may be DISTINGUISHED fol
participation in the rebellion or for felony
az common law; and when such constitu'
ton shall provide that the elective franchise
shall be enjoyed by all such persons as have
the qualifications herein stated for election
Of delegates: and when such constitution
shall be ratified by a majority of the per
sons voting on the question of ratification
who are qualified as electors for delegates
and when such constitution shall have beer
submitted TO Congress for examination ans
approval, and Congress have approved thu
same; and when said State, by vote OF it
Legislature elected under said constitution
shalt have adopted the amendment TO the
constitution Of the United States proposed
by the thirtv-uinth Congress, and known
az article a. and when said article shall
have become part Of the constitution O
the United States, said State shall be de
clared entitled 10 representation in Congress
and Senators and Representative shall b
admitted thereirom on their taking the oati
prescribed by law, and then and thereaite
the preceding sections OF this act shall ID
imperative la said State,
sec. q. That NO sentence OF DEAN uhut
this act shall he carried into execution
without The consent of the President.
See. e. That until the people of sai,
Rebel states ahall. by law, be admitted 6,
rel rcscutation in the Congress of the Uni
ted States. the civil governments that ma,
exist therein shall be deemed Provis iona
only, and shall be- in all respects subject &,
the paramount authority of the Unite,
States at auy time tn abolish. modify, con.
tral aui supcrHclr the same, and ln al
elections Ca any office under such provIs
ional governments all persons shall hr en-
titled to vote. aud none others who are cn
Titled to vote under the provisions of sec
ton b of this act, and no person shall b,
eligible Co ,Hicc under such provisions
governments who would he disqualified
from holding Office under the provisions %
ihr thiri article of said constitution.
lmrndmynl
Tan bodies cot victims lost hy the pNplD