Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-03-26
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

trenchment Committee was instructed to lnstl-
tute minute examination in the Printing De-
partment of the Treasury.
The resolution passed by the House, regard
ing the bullion Of the Richmond banks, was
passed.
The Supplemental bill was resumed. Seve-
raj amendments, each eliciting a long debate,
| were offered. Senators seemed anxious to eX-
plain each vote. The sentiment was much dl-
vided, but the majority persistently oppose
amendments tending to complicate the measure
| or involve guarantees not required by the origi
nal bill. The pressure however, is very heavy.
An amendment that majority Of the votes
cast shall ratify the Constitution, but that more
than half of the registered voters shall vote,
was adopted.
An amendment. adding certain clauses to the
oath, was rejected.
At half past ii clock, the Senate passed
the Supplementary BILL tt in effect as follows
Be it enacted That before September, 1867,
the commanding general Of each district shall
cause the registration of citizens in each county
or parish in the State or States of his district
which shall include only persons qualified to
vote for delegates by the act aforesaid, and who
shall have taken the following oath:
II do solemnly swear or affirm, in the pres
ence of Almighty God, that am a citizen of
the State Of --, that have resided in said
State for - months next preceding this date
and now reside in the county of - or pa
IRISH OF -----. in said State am twenty-one
years old have not been disfranchised for any
participation in the rebellion, or civil war against
the United States nor for felony committed
against the laws of the State or United States
have never taken the oath, as member of
Congress OF the United States or 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 against the United States or given
aid and comfort to the enemies thereof; will
faithfully support the Constitution and obey
the laws of the United States, and will to the
best Of my ability encourage others to do So so
help me God. - This oath or affirmation may
be administered by registering officer.
Section 2 That after the completion of the
registration hereby provided for in any State at
such time and places as the commanding gene
raj shall appoint, Of which at least thirty days
public notice shall be given, an election shall be
held Of delegates to a Convention for the pur-
pose of establishing 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 members as
the most numerous branch of the State Legis-
lature in 1860, to be appointed among the sew
eral districts, counties and parishes of the State
by the commanding officer, giving to such rep
resentation in ratio to the voters registered.
The Convention in Virginia shall consist Of
the same number of members as represented
the territory now constituting Virginia in the
most numerous branch Of the Legislature in
1860, to be apportioned as aforesaid.
Section 3. At said election, the registered
voters shall vote for or against Convention to
form Constitution under this act. Those vo-
ting in favor of such act, shall have written or
printed on ballots by which they voted for dele
gates, the words for Convention or against
Convention. Persons appointed to super
intend the elections shall make returns to the
commanding general who, if majority are for
Convention, shall call it, to be held as herein
after provided, but if the majority of votes be
against Convention. then no such Convention
shall be held under this act provided that such
Convention shall not be held unless a majority
of the registered voters, under this act, shall
have voted On the question Of holding it.
Section 4. The commanding general of each
district shall appoint such loyal officers. or per-
sons, as are necessary. not exceeding three in
each election district. to make and complete the
registration, and superintend the election and
make return of the votes, list of voters, and
persons elected as delegates by plurality of
votes cast; and upon receiving said returns he
shall ascertain the persons elected and make
the date of election, notify delegates to assem-
BILE in Convention, at the time and place to be
mentioned in the notification and said Conven-
ton, when organized, shall first determine, by
vote, whether it is the wish of the people of
such State to frame a Constitution and civil
government according to the provisions of this
act and the act to which it is supplementary,
and if so, shall proceed to frame Constitution,
and when the same shall be framed it shall be
submitted by the Convention for ratification to
persons registered at an election, conducted by
officers appointed by. the commanding general
as hereinbefore provided. held after the expira-
ton of thirty days from date of notice thereof,
to be given by said Convention. The returns
shall be made to the commanding general
Section g. If the Constitution shall be rati-
fed by a majority of the votes cast by electors
qualified as hereinbefore specified, at least one
half Of all the registered voters voting upon the
question to ratify the same, the President of
the Convention shall transmit COPY to the
President Of the United States, who shall forth
with transmit it to Congress, if in session, and
if not in session. Immediately upon its next as
sembling and if said Constitution shall be de-
clared by Congress In conformity to the act to
which this Is supplementary, and the other pro
visions of said act shall have been complied
with, and said Constitution shall be approved
by Congress, the State shall be declared to be
| entitled to representation, and Senators and
Representatives shall be admitted therefrom
Section 6. All elections in the State named
in the said act SHALL during its operation, be
by ballot, and all officers making said registra-
ton of voters and conducting elections shall, be-
fore entering on their duties take an oath pre-
scribed by an act approved July 2, 1862, en-
titled IAN act to prescribe an oath of office"
Section 7. That all expenses incurred by the
| commanding generals, or by virtue of orders is
| sued or appointments made by them under this
act, shall be paid out of any monies in the Treas
| ury not otherwise appropriated.
| Section s. The Convention of each State
| shall prescribe the compensation to be paid all
delegates, other officers and agents herein au-
| thorlzed and necessary to carry into effect the
purposes Of this act, not herein otherwise pro-
vided for, and shall provide for the levy and
collection of such taxes on property in such
State as may be necessary to pay the same.
Section 9. The word article in the sixth
section of the act to which this is supplemental
ry, shall be construed to mean section"
The bill goes back to the House for concur
renee.