The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-22
RECONSTRUCTION.
supplementary to the Stevens.Sherman-
SheIlabarger Bill.

A l
provide for the more efficient government OF
the rebel States, passed March 3, 1857, and to
facilitate restoration.
BE at enacted By the Senate and House Of Repre-.
sentatiyes 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 more 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 or States included in his district which reg
istration will include only those persons VINO 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 am citizen OF
the State Of, that have resided in said State
for - months next preceding this day, and
now reside in the county of -, or the parish
Of, in said State, as the case may be; that
am 81 years old; that 1 have not been disfran-
chised tor participation in any rebellion or civil
war against the United States, nor for felony
committed against the laws of any State or of
the United States; that have never been a
member OF any State Legislature, nor held any
executive or judicial Office in any State, and af-
forwards engaged in Instruction or rebellion
against the United States and given aid or COM
fort to the enemies thereof; that 1 have never
taken oath a 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 or re-
bellion against the United States, or given aid or
comfort to the enemies thereof; that 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 OF affirmation may be administered
by any registering officer.
Sec. g. That after the completion of the regis
tration 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 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
beers as the most numerous branch of the State
Legislature of such State in the year 1850, 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-
ature OF said State in the year 1860, to be appor
toned as aforesaid
Sec 3. 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 convention shall
have written or printed on the ballots by which
they vote for delegates, the words ''for con-
vention;" and those voting against such a con-
venton 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 end against a 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
a convention. If a majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for a convention, then
Provided, That such convention shall not be held
unless majority of all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question of holding such
district shall appoint such loyal officers or per-
sons as may be necessary, not exceeding three in
each election district in any State, to make and
complete the registration, superintend the cleo
ton, and make return to him OF the votes, lists
of voters and of the persons elected as delegates
by plurality of the votes cast at said election;
and upon receiving said returns he shall open
the same, ascertain the persons elected as dele
gates according to the returns of the officers
who conducted said election and make procama-
ion thereof; and if a majority of the votes given
On that question shall be for convention, the
general, within sixty days from the
late of election, shall notify the delegates to as
;emble in convention at a time and place to be
in the notification, and said Conven
ion, when organized, shall proceed to frame
Constitution and civil government according to
he provisions OF this act, and the act to which
t is supplementary; and when the same shall
nave been so framed, said Constitution shall be
by the convention for ratification to
he person registered under the provisions of this
let, at an election to be conducted by the Off
GERS, or persons appointed by the commanding
general as hereinbefore provided, and to be held
liter the expiration of thirty days from the date
IF 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
yotes of the registered electors qualified as here
n specified, cast at said election, at least one
lalf of all the registered voters voting upon the
question of such ratification the president of the
Convention shall transmit copy of the same, |
luly certified, to the President of the United |
States who shall forthwith transmit the same to |
Congress, if then in session, and If not in ses- |
ion, then Immediately upon its next assembling; |
md if it shall moreover appear to Congress that
he election was one at which all the registered |
md 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
,e satisfied that such constitution meets the APP
,roval of majority of the qualified electors In |
he State, and if the said constitution shall be
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-
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
fficient 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 can act to
rescribe an oath of offce;'' Provided, That Ifany
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
liabilities which by law are provided for the /
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
r by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of sny
loneys in the Treasury not otherwise approprf-
ted.
Sec g. 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 to carry into effect
ne purposes OF this act, not herein otherwise
rovided for, and shall provide for the levy and
objection of such taxes on the property in such
tate as may be necessary to pay the same.
Sec. 9. That the word ''article' in the sixth
sction of the act to which this is supplemental
7 shall be construed to mean Section
SCHUYLER COLFAX,
Speaker of the House of Representatives !