The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-21
RECONSTRUCTION.
Supplementary to the Stevens-Sherman-
Shellabarger Bill.

AN ACT supplemental to an act entitled an act to
provide for the more efficient government OF
the rebel States, passed March 2, 1867, and to
facilitate restoration.
b, At enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
SIGNATURES Of the United States Of Anterica in Con
q1eSS assembled, That before the first day OF
! September, 1867, the commanding general in each
district defined by an act entitled an act to pro-
videtor 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 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 soiemnly 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 punish
! of -, in said State, as the case may be; that
! am 81 years old; that l have not been dstran-
| chised tor participation in any rebellion 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 a
member OF any State Legislature, nor held any
executive or judicial office in any State, and al
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 a member OF Congress OF the
| United States, an officer OF the United
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-
belion 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 or affirmation may be administered
by any registering officer
Sec.s2. 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 a 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
apportoned among the several districts, coun-
ties, or parishes of such State by the command
inc general giving to each, representation in the
ratio of voters registered as aforesaid, nearly
as NAV 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-
laturc OF said State in the year 1861 to be appor-
toned as aforesaid
Sec ). That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for or against con-
ventiOn to form Il 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 ''fur Il
venton;' and those voting against such a con-
ballots the words against a convection" The
persons appointed to supcrintend said election,
and to make return of the votes given thereat,
us 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 aud de-
clare the total vote iii each State for and against
a convention. Ii 4 majority OF the votes given
on that question shall he for convention, then
such convention shall be held under this act
PUHidcl, That such convention shall not be held
unless majority OF all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question of holding such
convention.
See 1. That the commanding general of each
district shall appoint such 10 al officers or per-
sons as may De necessary, not exceeding three in
each election district. in any State, to make and
complete the registration, supcrintend the cleo
ton, and make return to him OF the votes, lists
OF voters and OF the persons elected as delegates
By 2 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 20 the returns of the officers
who conducted said election and MAX e proclama-
ton thereof; and if ma jOrity of the votes given
on that question shall be Tor Il convention, the
commanding general within sixty days from the
date OF election, shall notify the delegates to
semble in convention at time and place to be
mentioned in the notification, and said Conven
ton, when organized, shall proceed to frame
Constitution and civil government according to
the provisions OF this act, and the act to which
ii is supplementary; and when the same shall
have been SO framed, said Constitution shall be
submitted by the convention for ratification to
the person registered under the provisions of this
act, ut an election to DC conducted by the Off
GERS, or persons appointed by the commanding
general Us hercinbeiore provided, and to be held
after the expiration of thirty days from the date
of notice thcrco to be given 10y said conycn-
ton, and the returns thereof shall be made to
the commanding general of the district.
See .. That if, according to said returns, the
constitution shall be ratified by majority of the
votes of the registered electors qualified as here
in specified cast at said election, at least one
halt OF all the registered voters voting upon the
question Of such ratification, the president of the
shall transmit copy of the same,
daily 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
and qualified electors in the State had an Oppor-
tuniy to vote freely and without restraint, fear
or the influence OF trauI, and if Congress shall |
be satisfied that such constitution meets the ap-
proval of a majority of the qualified electors In |
the State, and II the said constitution shall be
declared by Congress to be in conformity with |
the provisions of the act to which this is supple
mcntary, and the other provisions of said act |
shall have been complied with, and the said con-
stitution shall be approved by Congress the |
State shall be declared entitled to representation,
and Senators aad Representatives shall beadmit-
ted therefrOm as herein provided.
Sec. e. That all elections in the States men |
toned in the said "Act to provide for the more |
efficient government of the rebel States'' shall, |
during the operation of said act, be by ballot;
and all 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
their said office, and the oath prescribed by the
act approved July 3 1862, entitled Gan act to
prescribe an oath of office" Provided That lfany
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 and
which by law provided for the
punishment Of the crime of wilful and corrupt
perjury.
Sec. Z. That all expenses incurred by the sever
Il commanding generals, or by virtue of any Or
iers issued or appointments made by them under
'r by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
tied.
Sec. 8. That the convention for each State shall
prescribe the fees, salary and compensation to be
'ad to all delegates and other officers and agents
lerein authorized necessary carry into effect
he purposes 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 be necessary to pay the same.
Sec. 9. That the word 'article in the sixth