Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-03-12
Conventions to be called by the Military.


1t is to be regretted that the Senate of Va.
acted in such haste in taking steps for the ca
of convention under the provisions of the
military force BILL That body has been in too
much ola hurry to eat dirt. 1t has destroyed,
to great degree, the moral influence of Nir-
ginia, and has caused the blush of shame to
mantle the cheeks Of her sons. The plea OF
necessity cannot be offered as an excuse for it
| will appear from the proceedings in Congress
that the State Legislatures will be saved the
| modification and humiliation of calling conven-
tons.
In the United States Senate, Thursday, Will
son, of Massachusetts. introduced a bill supple
mentary to an act entitled IAN act to provide
for the more efficient government of the rebel
States and to facilitate restoration y which was
referred to the Judiciary Committee
Section one directs the commanding officer of
each district to cause registration to be made
before September, l, 1867, in each county or
parish in his district, of the male citizens over
twenty-one years of age, resident therein, to in
clude only those qualified to vote by the act to
which this is supplement- and who shall take
and subscribe the following oath:
[, --, do hereby solemnly swear
or affirm that am sincerely and earnestly at
tached to the Union and Government of the
United States; that will steadfastly support
the Constitution and obey the laws of the Uni
ted States, and that [ will, to the best of my
ability, engage all others to such support and
obedience; so help me God.
Section two directs the Commanding Gener-
al, as soon as the registration is completed, to
cause an election for delegates to convention,
to be held on day not less than thirty days
from date of proclamation of election for the
purpose of amending the existing or framing a
new constitution, Of firmly establishing loyal
civil governments, and passing needful ordi-
nances to put the same into operation
Section three directs that the said convention
shall be called on the basis of representation on
which the number Of members Of Congress is
apportioned.
Section four provides for the appointment by
the commanding general of officers or persons
to make the registration, preside at the cleo
tions receive, sort, and count the votes, and
make return thereof and of the persons elected,
and he shall then make proclamation of the
persons elected and notify within sixty days
when and where they shall assemble to organ
lze the convention and when the said conven-
ton shall have amended the existing Or framed
a. hOW COiiStIluIlUu III GCCOIUdIlCG WIFI Tie ACT
to which this is supplement, it shall be sub
mitted to the people at an election to be held
after the expiration of thirty days from notice
thereof given by the convention.
Section five provides that if the said constitu-
ton is ratified by a majority of the votes cast,
the President OF the convention shall transmit
the same to the President Of the United States,
who shall transmit it to Congress if in session,
and if not in session, then upon its next as
sembling and if it be declared by Congress to
be in conformity with the provisions of the act
recently passed by Congress, known as the mil
tary bill, the State shall be declared entitled to
representation, and Senators and Representa-
tives shall be admitted as provided in said act
Section six provides that the duties and pow
ers delegated and conferred upon the command
ing general may, with his consent, be trans
ferred to the acting Governor of the State, up
on his taking an oath faithfully to perform and
execute the same.