The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-17
RECONSTRUCTION.
Supplementary to the Stevens-Shefman-
SheIlabarger Bill.

- ShellaDarger Bile
IAN ACT supplemental to act entitled an act to
i provide for the more efficient government OF
the rebel States, passed March Q, 1867, and to
| facilitate restoration. @
Re a. enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatices Of the United STATES Of An'e,7ea IN COR,
September, 1867, the commanding general in each
district defined by an act entitled an act to pro.
vide for the efficient government OF the rebel
States, approved March 2, 1867, shall cause reg
istration to be made of the male clt1zens 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 Whien reg
stration 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, -, 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 L
am 81 years old; that I 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 L have never
taken an oath as 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. 80 help me
God"
Which oath or affirmation may be administered
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 winch 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, 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-
lature OF said State in the year 1850, to be appor
toned as aforesaid.
Sec 3. That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for against con-
vention to form a constitution under this act
Those voting in favor of such convention shall
they vote far delegates, the words ''for a con-
vention;' and those voting against such con-
vention shall have written or printed on such
ballots the words against 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 against 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
4 convention. If majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for a convention, then
such convention shall be held under this act:
PrOyided, 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 LOCAL officers per-
sons 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 S: id 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 proclama- |
ton thereof; and if majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for a convention the |
general, within sixty days from the |
date of election, shall notify the delegates to as
semble in convention at time and place to be |
in the notification, and said Conven |
ton, when organized, shall proceed to frame |
the provisions of this act, and the act to which |
it is supplementary; and when the same shall |
have been so framed, said Constitution shall be |
by the convention for ratification to |
the person registered under the provisions of this
act, at an election to be conducted by the Off
GERS, or persons appointed by the commanding
after the expiration of thirty days from the date
of notice thereoi to be given by said conven-
ion, and the returns thereof shall be made to
the commanding general of the district.
= 4
constitution shall be ratified by majority of the
votes of the registered electors qualified here
in specified, cast at said election, at least one
half of all the registered voters voting upon the
question of such ratification, the president of the
shall transmit copy Of the same,
duly 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
sion, then Immediately upon its next assembling;
and If it shall moreover appear to Congress that
The 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
Dr. the influence OF fraul, and if Congress shall
De satisfied that such constitution meets the ap
prevail of ma jority of the qualified electors In
he State, and if the said constitution shall be
declared by Congress to be in conformity with
The provisions of the act to which this is supple
nentary, and the other provisions of said act
shall have been complied with, and the said con-
;titution shall be approved by Congress, the
State shall be declared entitled to representation,
md 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
Efficient government of the rebel States" shall,
Turing the operation of said act, be by ballot;
md all officers making the said registration of
7oters 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 efice, and the oath prescribed by the
ct approved July 2, 1862 entitled can act to
prescribe an oath of ofice'' Provided That If any
oerson shall knowingly and falsely take and SUBJ
scribe 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
disabilities which by law are provided for the
punishment of the crime of wilful and corrupt
perjury.
Sec. z. That all expenses incurred by the sever
i commanding generals, or by virtue of any Or
lers issued or appointments made by them upder
'r by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
ted.
Sec. 8. That the convention for each State shall
prescribe the fees, salary and compensation to be
'aid to all delegates and other officers and agents
leren authorized or necessary tocarry into effect
he purposes of this act, not herein otherwise
provided for, and shall provide for the levy and
objection of such taxes on the property in such
'tate as may he necessary to pay the same.
Sec. 9. That the word ''article" in the sixth
ection of the act to which this is supplemental
y shall be construed to mean section"
SCHUYLER COLFAX