The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1867-02-28
THE rITLITARY BILL.

this measure as it passed both House
Of Congress:
/ Whereas, no legal State govern
ments or adequate protection for lif
or property now exist in the rebe
States of Virginia, North Carolina
South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi
Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Texas
and Arkansas
And whereas, it is necessary. tina
peace and good order should be en-
forced in said States until loyal ano
republican governments can be legally
established; therefore,
Be it enacted by the Senate end
House of Representatives of the Uni
lsed States of American in Congress
assembled, That the said rebel States
shall be divided into military districts,
and made subject to the military auth
ority ofthe United States as hereinaf-
ter prescribed and for that purpose
Virginia shall constitute the first dis
trict, North Carolina and South Caro-
lima the second district, Georgia;
Alabama and Florida the third district,
Mississippi and Arkansas the fourth
district, and Louisiana and Texas the
fifth district.
~ Sec. 2. And be it further enacted,
That it shall be the duty of the Presi-
dent to assign to the command of each
of the said districts an officer of the
army not below the rank of brigadier
general, and to detail sufficient mill
tary force to enable such officer to
perform his duties and enforce his
authority within the district to which
he is assigned.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted,
That it shall be the duty of each officer
assigned as aforesaid, to protect all
persons in their rights of person and
property, to suppress instruction, dis
order, and violence, and to punish or
cause to be punished all disturbers of
the public peace and criminals; and to
this end he may allow local civil tri-
bunals to take Jurisdiction of and to
try offenders, or, when, in his judg-
ment it may be necessary for the trial
of offenders, he shall have power to
organize military commissions or tri-
bunals for that purpose and all inter
ference, under color of State authority,
with the exercise of military authority,
Under this act shall be null and void
Sec. a. And be it further enacted,
That all persons put under military
arrest by virtue Of this act shall be
tried without unnecessary delay, and
40 cruel or unusual punishment shall
be inflicted, and no sentence of any
commission or tribunal here
BY authorized, affecting life or liberty
Of any person, shall be executed until
It is approved by the officer in COM
nand Of the district; and the laws and
for the government of the
army shall not be affected by this act,
except in so far as they conflict with
is provisions provided that no sen
ence Of death under provisions of this
lct shall be carried into effect without
he approval Of the President.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, |
That when the people of any Of the
aid rebel States shall have formed a |
and government in con-
ormity with the constitution of the
United States in all respects, framed |
" convention of delegates elected
" male citizens of said State 81 years
nd upwards, of whatever race,
olor or previous condition, who have
'een resident in the State for one year
'revious to the day of such election,
kept such as may be DISTINGUISHED
or participation in the rebellion or for
ebony at common law; and when such
constitution shall provide that the
lective franchise shall be enjoyed by
II such persons as have the qualifca-
ions herein stated for election Of del
gates, and when such constitution
hall be ratified by majority of per
ons voting on the question of ratifi-
alton who are qualified as electors for |
elegates, and when such constitution
hall have been submitted to Congress
Or examination and approval, and
congress shall have approved the
anne, and when the said State by a
ote Of its legislature elected under
aid constitution shall have adopted
he amendment to the constitution of
he United States proposed by the
'hirty- Ninth Congress and known as
rticle fourteen, and when the said ar
icle shall become part of the consti-
ltion of the United States, said State
hall be declared entitled to
representation in Congress : and
enators and Representatives shall
e admitted therefrom on their taking
ne oath prescribed by law; and then
nd thereafter the preceding sections
f this bill shall be imperative in the
aid State: Provided, That no person
xcluded from the pivilege Of holding
flee by the said proposed amendment
D the constitution of the United
tates shall be eligible to- election as
member of the convention to frame
constitution for any Of the said rebel
tates nor shall any such person. vote
Or members of the said convention.
SEC. 6. And be it further enacted,
hat until the people of theasaid rebel
tates shall be by law admitted to
epresentation in the Congress Of the
United States, any civil governments
'hich may exist therein shall be deem
provisional only, and in all respects
nbject to the paramount authority of
lie United States, at any time to abol-
b, modify, control or supersede the
anne and in all elections to any office
nder such provisional governments,
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