The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-01
RECONSTRUCTION.
supplementary to the Stevens-Sherman'
SheIlabarger Bill.


AN ACT srpplemental to an act entitled an act to
provide Tor the more efficient government OF
! the rebel States, passed March 2, 1867, and to
facilitate restoration.
Re- n enacted 6y the Senate and House of Repre-
se1tatires of the United States Of America IN Con,
grcss assembled, That before the first day OF
September, 1867, the commanding general in each
district defined by an act entitled an act TO pro,
vide for the more efficient government OF the rebel
States, approved March 2, 1867, shall cause reg
istration to be made of the male cluzens OF the
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, which reg
istgation will include only those persons who are
qualified to vote for delegates by the act aiore-
said and who shall have taken and subscribed the
following oath or affirmation:
81 -, do solemnly swear, or affirm, in the
presence OF Almighty God, that am a 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 l have not been distran-
chised Tor participation in any rebellion or civil
war against the United States, nor for felony
committed against the laws of any State or of
the United States; that have never been
member OF any State Legislature, nor held any
executive or judicial Office in any State and at
forwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion
against the United States, and given aid or COM
fort to the enemies thereof; that have never
taken an oath member of Congress OF the
United States, or as an officer of the United
States, or as member OF any State Legislature,
to support the Constitution OF the United States,
and afterwards engaged in instruction or re-
bellion 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.
Sec. 3 That after the completion OF the regis
tration hereby provided for in any State at such
time and place therein as the commanding gen
craI may appoint and direct, of which at least
thirty days public notice shall be given, an cleo
ton shall be held OF delegates to convention
for the purpose Of establishing a 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 men,
bers as the most numerous branch OF the State
Legislature of such State in the year 1860, 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, as nearly
as may be. The Convention in Virginia shall
consist of the same number of members rep
resented the territory now constituting Vir-
ginia in the most numerous branch of the Legis
lature OF said State in the year 1860, TO be appor
toned as aforesaid.
Sec 8. That at said election the registered
tiers of each State shall vote for or against
venton to form constitution under this act
Those voting in favor of such convention shall
have written or printed on the ballots by which
they vote for delegates, the words ''ior i con-
yention - and those voting against such q
ycntiOn shall have written printed such
ballots the words against a convention The
persons appointed to superintcnd 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 4 convention;
and the commanding general, to whom the same
shall have been returned, shall ascertain and de-
clare the total vote in each State for and against
a convention If majority of the votes given
on that question Shall be for a convention, then
such convention shall be held under this act
P'oyided, That such convention shall not be held
unless majority of all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question of holding such
convention
See f. That the commanding general of each
district shall appoint such loTal officers Or per-
sons may be necessary, not exceeding three in
each election district i'll any State, to make and
complete the registration, superintcnd the cleo
tion and MAKE return to him OF the votes, lists
of voters and OF the persons elected as delegates
by 4 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 ii majority of the votes given
on that question shall be Tor convention, the
commanding general, within sixty days from the
date of election shall notify the delegates to as
Semblc in convention IT Il time and place to be
mentioned in the notification, and said Conven
ton, when organized shall proceed to frame a
Constitution aud civil government according to
the provisions OF this act, and tie act to which
it is supplementary; and when the same shall
have been so framed, said Constitution shall be
submitted by the convention for ratification to
the person registered under the provisions of this
act, at an election to be conducted by the Off
GERS, orpersons appointed by the commanding
general as HeTcinbcfOrG provided, and to be held
after the expiration OF thirty days from the date
of notice thereo. to be given by said convcn-
ton, and the returns thereof shall be made to
the commanding general of the district.
Sec. >. That II, according to said returns, the
constitution shall be ratified by majority of the
votes OF the registered electors qualified here
in specified, cast at said election, at least one
hal fail rlp
question OF such 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 in ses-
sion, then Immediately its next assembling;
and ii it shall moreover appear to Congress that
the election was one at which all the registered
and qualified electors in the State had an oppor-
tunity 10 vote freely and without restraint, fear
or the influence OF fraud, and if Congress shall
be satisfied that such constitution meets the ap-
proval of majority of the qualified electors In
the State, and if the said constitution shall be
declared by Congress to be in conformity with
the provisions of the act to which this is supple
mcntary, and the other provisions Of said act
shall have been complied with, and the said con-
stitution shall be approved by Congress, the
State shall be declared entitled to representation
and Senators AID Representatives shall be admit
ted thercfrom as herein provided.
Sec. g. That all elections in the States men,
toned in the said '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 office, and the oath prescribed by the
act approved July 2, 1862, entitled can 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
cd, 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. Z. That all expenses incurred by the sever
al commanding generals, or by virtue of any Or
ders issued or appointments made by them under
or by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
ated.
Sec. 8. 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 or 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 be necessary to pay the same.
Sec. 9. That the word "article' in the sixth |
section of the act to which this is supplemental
ry shall be construed to mean section"
SCHUYLER COLFAX