The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-05-11
Supplementary to the Stevens-Sherman-
Shellabarger Bill.

AN ACT supplemental to an act entitled an act tC
provide for the more efficient government Of
the rebel States, passed March 2, 1867, and to
facilitate restoration.
Be ~ enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
seatatiVes 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.
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 who are
qualified to vote for delegates by the act afore-
said and who shall have taken and subscribed the
| following oath or affirmation:
81, 7, do solemnly swear, or affirm, in the
presence of Almighty God, that l 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 for 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 l have never been
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 COM
fort to the enemies thereof; that 1 have never
taken an oath as member of Congress of the
United States, as officer of the United
States or member of any State Legislature,
or an executive or judicial officer of any State
to support the Constitution of the United States
| and afterwards engaged in insurrection 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''
by any registering officer.
Sec 2. 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
bers as the most numerous branch of the State
Legislature of such State in the year 1860, to be
apportioned among the several districts, cou-
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-
lature OF said State in the year 1850, to be appor-
toned as aforesaid.
Sec B. That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for against con-
vention to form 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 q con-
vention;' and those voting against such con-
ycntion 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 and az ainst o 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 convention, then
such convention shall be held under this act
IrOcided, That such convention shall not be held |
unless majority of all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question of holding such
convention.
Sec 4. That the commanding general of each
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
he same, ascertain the persons elected as dele
yates according to the returns of the officers
Who conducted said election and make proelama-
ion thereof; and if 4 majority of the votes given
IN 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 time and place to be r
in the notification, and said Conven |
ion, when organized, shall proceed to frame
Constitution and civil government according to u
is supplementary; and when the same shall +
ave been so framed, said Constitution shall be
ubmitted by the convention for ratification to
he person registered under the provisions of this
ct, at an election to be conducted by the Off
ers or persons appointed by the commanding
eneral as hcreinbefore provided, and to be held
fter the expiration of thirty days from the date
f 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
otes of the registered electors qualified as here Il
II specified cast at said election, at least one
lalf of all the registered voters voting upon the
question ofsuch ratification, the president OF the
convention shall transmit copy OF the same, =
uly certified, to the President OF the United
states who shall forthwith transmit the same to
Congress, if then in session, and II not In ses-
ion, then immediately uponits next assembling;
md if it shall moreover appear to Congress that
he election was one at which all the registered l
md qualified electors in the State had all oppor-
unity TO vote freely and without restraint, fear
Or the influence OF fraud, and if Congress shall
BE satisfied that such constitution meets the ap-
Droyal of majority of the qualified electors In Y
he State. and if the said constitution shall be
declared by Congress to be in conformity win P
the provisions of the act to which this Is supple b
nentary, and the other provisions OF sald act e:
shall have been complied WITH and the said CON =,
stitution shall be approved by Congress, the L
State shall be declared entitled to representation,
md Senators aNd Representatives shall be admit
ted therefr0m as herein provided le
Sec 6. That all elections in the States men- e.
Toned in the said "Act to provide for the more a
efficient government of the rebel States, snail ST
hiring the operation of said act, be by ballot; Il
md ali officers making the said registration OF
voters and conducting said elections shall, before
entering upon the discharge of their duties, SUB,
scribe an oath faithfully to perform the duties OF
heir said effce, and the oath prescribed by the s
.ct approved July 2, 1862, entitled AN act to F
prescribe an oath of Office" Provided, lhat II any
person shall knowingly and falsely take and sub
scribe any oath in this act prescribed, such per
son so offending, and being thereof duly convict
ID. shall be subject to the pains, penalties ana
disabilities which by law are provided for the
punishment of the crime OF wilful and corrupt +
perjury. - -. .,,o .,o,-or
Sec T. That all expenses incurred by the sever
II commanding generals, or by vlrtne OF any or
lers issued or appointments made by them under +
,r nv virtue of this act, shall be paid out OF shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise approprl-
tied
Sec 8. That the convention for each State shall n
prescribe the fees salary and compensation 10 be
,oid TO all delegates and other officers and agents
,erein authorized necessary to carry into effect
he nurposes of this act. not herein otherwise
provided for, and shall provide for the levy and
collection of such taxes on the property in such
State as may he necessary to pay the same.
Sec 9 That the word ''article' in the sixth
section of the act to which this is supplements I
" shall be construed to mean section"
SCHUYLER COLFAX,
11,nH nnfP OIL