The New York herald., 1867-03-04
THE LAW OF RECONSTRUCTION.

BiiI for the establishment OF Martial Law in
the Rebel States, for Setting Up Legal
Governments Therein, and for their Resto-
ration 10 Congress.
The following is the so-called Military bill passed
both Houses over the Presidents veto:-
Whereas legal State governments adequate pro-
lection for life or property now exists In the rebel States
Alabama Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida Texas and Ar
kansas and whereas Il necessary that peace and good
order should be enforced in said States until loyal and
republican State be legally establshed
therefore,
vded military DISTRICTS and made subject TO the
military authority Of the United States, hercpafter
mentioned and for that purpose Virginia shall consi.
Ihe second District Georgia Alabama and Florida the
Third DISTRICT Mississippi and Arkansas the Fourth dig
SEc That II shall be the duty OF the President 10
assign tho OF each OF said districts officer
and TO delah suicisni military force 10 enable such
scer 10 perform his duties and enforce his authority
within the district TO which he 10 assigned
SEC s. That 1t shall be the duty OF each ofncer a.
signed rs aforesaid to protect oil persons in their rights
Of person and properly 70 suppress nsrrecton dis
ished ali dsturbers Of the public peace and criminals and
% this end he allow local civil tribunals to take juris
Aicton o. and try offenders or when in his Judgment IL
may be necessary for the trial Of onsnders, he shall
have power to organize military committees or tribunals
state authority with the exercise Of military authority
under this act shall be null and void.
81 s az s nan
delay, and no cruel or unusual punishment shall be in
ncted and no sentence Of any military commission or
tribunal hereby authorized affecting the life liberty OF
any person shall be executed until II is approved by the
sicer IN command Of the district and the laws and
regulations for the Of the shall not be
affected by this act except in SO far as they may con-
Aict with its provisions.
SEC s. That when the people Of any one OF said rebel
States shall have formed constitution and government
in conformity with the constitution of the United States
p Of ss o.
years old and upward OF whatever race color or pre-
vious condition. who have been resident In SAID State for
year previous TO the day OF such election except
such may be DISTINGUISHED for participation In the
beon or TOR felony at common law and when such con-
sttution shall provide that the elective franchise shall
be enjoyed BY all persons ashave the qualifications
herein stated for electors Of delegates and when such
sons voting on the question Of ratification who are quail
lied electors for delegates and when such constitution
shall have been submitted TO Conaress for examination
and approval and Congress shall have approved the
same, and when said State. by avoe OF its Legislature,
elected under said constitution, shall have adopted the
amendment TO the constitution OF the United States pro-
posed by the Thirty-ninth Congress, and known as
article IA, and when said article shall have become
part OF the constitution Of the United States, said Stce
shall DO declared entitled In Congress-
and Senators and Representatives shall be admitted
On ,her exng me oash oy aw, N's
act shall be imperative In said State Provided that no
person excluded from the privilege OF holding Office by
sed states sha be eligible 70 election as a member OF
convention TO frame constitution for any Of said rebel
States nor shall any such person vote for members Of
sso q That until The people Of sAs said rebel States
rsss of the United states any cva governments THAI
may therein shall be deemed provisional opy, and
o. s un.sa ssses =, sny time 70 aSosb mofv eon
troll and supessede the same and in all elections any
ofnoe under suoh provisional governments all persons
shall bo entitled 70 vote end others, who are en-
ned 90 vote under the Of the fh section Of
this sct and no person shall DO eligible TO any Office
quaasd from hoidsg Office provisions af the
third axaiclc OF said constitutional amesdment