Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-03-15
Wilson's Bill to Call Conventions in the
Southern States.

In the United States Senate day before
yesterday, Mr.. Wilson introduced bill sup
Elementary to an act entitled g An act to pro-
vide for the more efficient government Of the
rebel States, and to facilitate restoration ;"
which was referred to the Judiciary Commit
tee.
Section one directs the commanding Off
GERS of each district to cause registration to
be made before September l, 1867 in each
county or parish in his district, Of the male
citizens over twenty-one years of age resi-
dent therein, to include only those qualified
to vote by the act to which this is supple
ment, and who shall take and subscribe the
following oath: [, 49,, do hereby solemn
ly swear Cor afirm) that | am sincerely and
earnestly attached to the Union and Govern
ment Of the United States; that will stead
tasty support the Constitution and obey the
laws of the United States, and that I will, to
the best of my ability, engage all others to
such support and obedience: so help me
God.
Section two directs the commanding Gen
eral, as soon as the registration is completed,
to cause an election for delegates to con-
vention to be held, on day not less than
thirty days from date Of proclamation Of cleo
ton for the purposeof amending the existing
or framing new constitution, Of firmly es-
tablishing loyal civil government, and pass
ing needful ordinances to put the same into
operation.
Section three directs that the said conven-
tons shall be called on the basis Of represen-
tation on which the number Of members Of
Congress is apportioned.
Section four provides for the appointment
by the commanding General of officers or
persons to make the registration, preside at
the elections, receive. sort and count the
votes, and make returns thereof, and Of the
persons elected, and he shall then make proc
lamation Of the persons elected, and notify
them, within sixty days, when and where
they shall assemble to organize the conven-
ton; and when the said convention shall
have amended the existing or framed new
constitution in accordance with the act to
which this a supplement- it shall be submit
ted to the people at an election to be held af-
ter the expiration Of thirty days from notice
thereof given by the convention.
Section five provides that if the said Con-
stitution is ratified by majority Of the votes
cast, the President of the Convention shall
transmit the same to the President Of the
United States, who shall transmit it to Con-
gress, if in session, and if not in session,
then upon its next assembling; and if it be
declared by Congress to be in conformity
with the provisions Of the act recently passed
by Congress, known as the military bill, the
State shall be declared entitled to represen-
tation, and Senators and Representatives
shall be admitted as provided in said act.
/ Section six provides that the duties and
powers delegated and conferred upon the
commanding General may, with his consent,
be transferred to the acting Governor of the
State, upon his taking an oath faithfully to
perform and exercise tho same.
In the House Of Representatives resolu-
ton (by Kelly) was passed directing the
Committee on the Judiciary to report bill
declaring who shall call a Convention for the
reorganization Of the Southern States.