The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-01-08
RECONSTRUCTION MOVEMENT.

al and Introduced iato the House OF RepreSen-
ta,ives, to reconstruct the Southern States.
1t will be renen bered that the bill introduced
by> Mr. Stevens on the 18th December, prepared
at his request by North Carolinians, was re-
terred TO the Committee on Territories, of which
Mr. Ashley is Chairman But meanwhile Mr.
Steven. has amended former bill of his, by
enpr.,tiug on it the maio features Of the North
Carolina bill so as to give his bill tn US amended,
which we publish below, precedence on the
calendar. 1t will, therefore, come up at once
"a soon as Congress rc-assembles 1t is probable
the Committee on Territories will report bill
similar to the one below.
4 BILL TO enable the States lately in rebellion
to regain their privileges IN the Union.
Whereas, The eleven States, which lately
formed the Government called the confederate
States of America" have forfeited all their
rights under the Constitution, and can be rein
stated in the same only through the action OF
Congre ST.; therefore,
Be i: enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives Of the United States of America
in Congress assembled, That the eleven States
lately in rebellion, except Tennessee, may form
valid State Governments 10 the following man
ner:
Section 9 And be it further enacted, That
the State Governments now existing de Jocto,
though illegally formed in the midst of martial
law, aud in many Instances the constitutions
were adopted under duress, and not submitted
to the ratification Of the people, and therefore
are not to be treated as free republics, yet they
are hereby acknowledged as valid governments
for municipal purposes until the same shal! be
duly altered, and their Legislative and executive
officers shall be recognized as such. ..-
Sec g. And be it further enacted, That the
ten States which were lately in rebellion, and
have not been admitted TO representation IN
Congress- shall hold elections on the hrst Tues
day Of May, 1867, to choose delegates to con-
vention to form State Government The Con-
ventiun shall consist of the same number OF
members as the most numerous branch OF the
! Legislature Of said State before the Rebellion.
1t shall meet at the former capital OF SAID State
on the first Monday of June Of said year, at IL
o clock noon, with power to adjourn from time
to time, aud shall proceed to form State Con.
stitution, which shall be submitted to the people
at such time as the Convention shall direct and
if ratified by majority Of legal votes shall be
declared the Constitution Of the State. Con-
| grcss shall elect Commission for each of said
States, to consist Of three persons, who shall
select or direct the mode of selecting the cleo
| ton OF officers for the several election districts,
which districts slull be the same as before the
| Rebellion, unless allotted by said Commission
| 7 he officers shall consist of Judge and two
inspe ctors Of elections and two clerks. The said
| Ulcers, together with all the expenses OF the
election shall be paid by the United States, and
said expenses shall be repaid by said State or
Territory. Each Of said officers shall receive
So per day for the time actually employed
| Each of the members of said Commission shall
| receive $4,000 per annum, and their clerks
So 600. The Commission shall procure all the
necessary books stationery and boxes, and to
make all regulations to effect the objects of this
act. The President Of the United States and
the military commander of the district shall
furnish much military aid the said Com
missioners shall deem necessary to protect the
polls aud keep the peace at each OF the election
districts. If, 10y any means, no elections should
be held in any of said late States on the day
herein fixed, then said election shall be held on
The third Monday of May, 1867, in the manner
herein prescribed. Returns of all such elections
sh all be made to the said Commissioners, those
certificates Of election shall be prime tucie evil
drnce of the fact.
Sec 1. Aud be it further enacted, That per-
sons who shall be entitled to vote at both of said
elections shall be as follows: All male citizens
above the age Of p years, who have resided
one year in said State and ten days within the
election district
Sec 5. And be it further enacted, That the
, word citizen, as used in this act, shall be con-
strued to mean all persons Except Indians not
! taxed) born in the United States, or duly natur
| allied Any male citizen above the age of 81
years, shall be competent to be elected to act
delegate to said convention.
| Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That all
persons who, on the 18th day Of March, 1861
we're of full age, who held Office, either civil or
military, under the government called the "Con-
federate States of America or who voluntarily
swore allegiance to said government, are hereby
declared 20 have forfeited their citizenship and
to have renounced allegiance to the United
States, and shall no: be entitled to exercise the
elective franchise or hold Office until five years
after they shall have fled their intention or de-
sire to be reinvested with the right of citizen
ship, and shall swear allegiance to the United
States and renounce allegiance to all other gov
ernments or pretended governments; the said
application to be filed aud oath taken in the
same courts that by law authorized to natur-
alze foreigners. Provided, however, that on
taking the following oath the party being other
wise qualified, shall be allowed to vote and hold
Office
Il, A. 3, do solemnly swear on the Holy
Eva7seIists Of Almighty God, that on the 4th
day OF March, 1854, and at all times thereafter,
would willingly have complied with the re-
quirements of the Proclamation of the President
OF the United States issued on the Sth Gay of
December, 1868, had safe opportunity of so
doing been allowed; and that on the said 4th of
March, 1864, aud all times thereafter, was on
posed to the continuance of the Rebellion. and
to the establshn ent of the sc-calied Confederate
Government, aud voluntarily gave no aid and
comfort thereto but earnestly desired the sue
cess Of the Union and the suppression IF oil