The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-25
Supplementary to the Stevens.Sherman.
Shellabarger Bill.

Supplementary to the Stevens.Sherman.
Shellabarger Bill.
An ACT supplemental to an act entitled an act to
provide for the more efficient government of
the rebel States, passed March q 1867, and to
facilitate restoration.
Be II enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatiues Of the United States Of america in Con-
gress 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 efficient government OF the rebel
States, approved March 2, 1867, shall cause reg
istration TO be made of the male citizens of the
United States, twenty one years OF age and up
wards, resident in each county or parish in the
State States included in his district, which reg
istration will include only those persons who are
qualified to vote for delegates by the act afore-
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 ain citizen of
the State Of, that have resided in said State
now reside in the county of -, or the parish
Of, in said State, as the case may be- that
am 81 years old; that have not been disfran-
chised tor participation in any rebellion or civil
committed against the laws of any State or of
the United States; that 1 have never been a
member OF any State Legislature, nor held any
executive or judicial office in any State and at
against the United States, and given aid or COM
fort to the enemies thereof; that I have never
taken an oath as q member of Congress of the
United States, as an officer of the United
States, or as a member of any State Legislature
or as an executive or judicial officer of any State
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 l 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 2. That after the completion of the regis
tratiop hereby provided for in any State at such
time and place therein as the commanding gen.
eral 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 mem
bers us 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 as 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 vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for or against con-
vention to form a constitution under this act
Those voting in favor of such a convention shall
have written or printed on the ballots by which
they vote for delegates, the words 'for con-
ventlOn;' and those voting against such a con-
ycntiOn shall have written or printed on such
ballots the words against a 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 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
q convention. If ma jOrity of the votes given |
on that question shall be for a convention then |
tfOvided, That such convention shall not be held |
unless majority of all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question of holding such |
Sec. 4. That the commanding general of each
district shall appoint such loyal officers or per-
sons as may be necessary, not exceeding three in
zach election district in any State, to make and |
complete the registration, superirtend the cleo
ion, and make return to him OF the votes, lists
'f voters and OF the persons elected as delegates
~ plurality of the votes cast at said election;
md upon receiving said returns he shall open
he same, ascertain the persons elected as dele
rates according to the returns of the officers
Who conducted said election and make proclama-
lou thereof; and if majority of the votes given
IN that question shall be for a convention. the
general, within sixty days from the
late of election, shall notify the delegates to as
emble in convention at Il time and place to be
mentioned in the notification, and said Conven
ion, when organized, shall proceed to frame a
constitution and civil government according to
he provisions of this act and the act to which
is supplementary; and when the same shall
ave been SO framed, said Constitution shall be ,
ubmitted by the convention for ratification to
he person registered under the provisions of this
ct, at an election to be conducted by the Off j.:
ers, or persons appointed by the commanding
cneral as hereinbefore provided, and to be held .
fter the expiration of thirty days from the date
f notice thereof to be given by said conven-
ion, and the returns thereof shall be made to
he commanding general of the district.
Sec. 5. That if according to said returns the
constitution shall be ratified by majority Of the
otes of the registered electors qualified as here
n specified, cast at said election, at least one
alt of all the registered voters voting upon the
invention shall transmit copy Of the same,
uly certified, to the President of the United
tates who shall forthwith transmit the same to
congress, If then in session, and if not in
ion, then Immediately upon its next assembling;
nd if it shall moreover appear to Congress that
he election was one at which all the registered
nd qualified electors in the State had an oppor-
unity to vote freely and without restraint fear
r the influence OF fraud, and if Congress shall
re satisfied that such constitution meets the ap-
roval of majority of the qualified electors In
uc SldtC, anu III TIC Sdlu CONSTITUTION SuaiI De
declared by Congress to be in conformity with
he provisions of the act to which this is supple
nentary, and the other provisions of said act
hall have been complied WITH and the said con-
titution shall be approved by Congress, the
tate shall be declared entitled to representation,
nd Senators and Representatives shall be admit
ed therefrom as herein provided.
Sec. 6. That all elections in the States men,
toned in the said "Act to provide for the more
ficient government of the rebel States" shall,
uring the operation of said act, be by ballot;
nd all officers making the said registration of
oters and conducting said elections shall, before
ntering upon the discharge of their duties sub
cribe an oath faithfully to perform the duties of
heir said effice, and the oath prescribed by the
ct approved July 2, 1862 entitled Gan act to
rescribe an oath of Office" Provided That lfany
erson shall knowingly and falsely take and sub
cribe any oath in this act prescribed, such per-
on so offending, and being thereof duly convict
d, shall be subject to the pains, penalties and
disabilities which by law are provided for the
punishment of the crime of wilful and corrupt
erjury.
Sec. z. That all expenses incurred by the sever
commanding generals, or by virtue of any Or
ers issued or appointments made by them under
# by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
ted.
Sec. 8. That the convention for each State shall
rescribe the fees, salary and compensation to be
aid to all delegates and other officers and agents
erein authorized or necessary carry into effect
rovided for, and shall provide for the levy and
nY1 hn mr. fr ire ,,nhI