The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-05

W.
therefore, come up at once as soon as Con-
cress re-assembles. 1t is probable the Com
mittee on Territories will report bill SINH
lar,to the one below. Il .ays
1t will be observed that the amended bill
differs in several respects from the North
Carolina bill, in its machinery, but the oath,
which is the gist Of the measure, Is preser-
we'd. We trust the oath aoiN not, in any euent, DC
altered or omitted Weare satisfied, from our
knowledge of the South, that it is the best
oath vet devised. Provision should be made,
however, in the bill for Furnishing those who
may succeed in taking it falsely.
T. Another very important improvement IS,
that Mr.. Stevens amended bill extends the
oath not merely to officeholders but to Coters
We have conversed with many Unionists, and
heard from others, since our return from
Washington, and it seems to be the general
wish of our loyal people that unrepentant
rebels should be excluded from the ballot
box, and that loyal men only, without re-
gard to color, should be invested with the
ballot If Congress would do its work
thoroughly, and would extend adequate pro-
lection to the loyal whites and blacks of the
South, let it by no means omit this oath
but let the oath be test of suffrage, with
out regard to color. This we believe to be
the unanimous wish of the Unionists of this
State, as we'll as of the cotton States, as
shown by the Address of the Southern Re-
publican Association, which we publish to-
day.
MR.. STEVENS BILL FOR THE READMIssIoN OF THE
SOUTHERN STATES.
TBy Telegraph to the Tribune
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l-The following bill, in
troduced into the House last session by Mr.. Ste
vens ITO enable the States lately in rebellion to
regain their privileges in the Union," has been
amended considerably, and in its amended form
will be called up for action by Mr.. Stevens i'll a
few days:
Bill to enable the States lately in rebellion to
regain their privileges in the Union
Whereas, The eleven States, which latelyformed
the Government called the "COnfcderate States
OF America" have forfeited all their rights under
the Constitution, and can be reinstated in the
same only through the action of Congress; there
fore,
Be it enacted By the Senate and House Of Rel'resen-
tdtyes Of tie United Suites Of AnnericG IN Congress
assembled That the eleven States lately in rebel
lion, except Tennessee, may form valid State
Governments in the following manner:
SECTION = 1nd be 1t FURTHER enacted, That the
State Governments now existing de tdctO, though
illegally formed in the midst of martial law, and
in many instances the constitutions were adopted
under duress, and not submitted to the ratitca-
ton of the people, and therefore are not to be
treated free republics, yet they are hereby ac-
knowledged as valid governments for municipal
purposes until the same shall be duly altered and
their legislative and executive officers shall be
recognized as such.
SEC. ). -1Rd be 1t fiathcr enacted, That the ten
States which We're lately i'll rebellion, and have not
been admitted to representation i'll Congress, shall
hold elections on the first Tuesday OF May, 1867,
to choose delegates to Il convention TO form
State Government. The Convention shall con-
sist of the same number of members as the most
numerous branch of the Legislature Of said State
before the Rebellion. 1t shall meet ut the former
capital Of said State on the first Monday of June
of said year, at II O'Clock noon, with power to
adjourn from time to time, and shall proceed to
form State Constitution. which shall be submit
ted to the people at such time the Convention
shall direct, and if ratified by majority of legal
votes shall be declared the Constitution Of the
State. Congress snail elect Commission for
each of said States, to consist of three persons,
who shall select or direct the mode OF selecting
the election of officers for the several election dis
tricts which districts shall be the same as before
the Rebellion, unless allotted by said Commits
sion The officers shall consist OF one judge and
two inspectors of elections and two clerks. The
said officers, Together with all the expenses of
the election snail be paid by the United States,
and said expenses shall be req / by said State or
Territory. Each of said officers shall receive 50
per day for the time actually employed. Each of
the members OF said Commission shall receive
$1,000 per annunl, and their clerks s., 900. The
Commission shall procure all the necessary books,
stationery and boxes, and TO make all regulations
to effect the objects OF this act. The President
Of the United States and the military comman-
der of the district shall furnish so much mil
Tue sGiiu commissioners SL;tll QcCIl
necessary TO protect the polls and kecrthe peace
at each of the election districts. If by any means,
no elections should be held in any of said late
States on the day herein fixed, then said election
shall be held on the third Monday of May, 1867,
in the manner herein prescribed Returns of ali
such elections shall be made to the said Commits
sioners, whose certificates of election shall be pri
tCtcie evidence Of the fact.
SEC. t. -i1td be 1t JNItter Cjtdcted, That persons
who shall be entitled to vote at both of said cleo
tiOuS shall he rs follows. All male citizens above
the age of p years. who have resided one year in
said State and ten days within the election district
SEC. 5. Ind be it further enacted, That the word
citizen, used in this act, shall be construed TO
mean all persons Except Indians not taxed born
in the United States, or duly naturaliZed. Any
male citizen above the age of 81 years shall be
competent to be elected to act delegate to said
convention.
SEC. t. Ind be it FURTHER enactcd, That all per-
sons who, on the 4th day OF March, 1864 were of
full age who held office, either civil or military,
under the government called the " Contederate
States of America" or who voluntarily sworc al
legiance to said government, are hereby declared
to have forfeited their citizens hip and To have
nounccd allegiance to the United States, and shall
not be entitled to exercise the elective franchise
hold Office until five years after they shall have
filed their intention or desire to be reinyested
with the right of citizenship, and shall swear al
legiance to the United States and renounce ale
glance to all other governments or pretended gov
crnmentS; the said application to be filed and
oath taken in the same courts that by law alI-
thOriZed to naturalZe foreigners. Provided, how
ever, that on taking the following oath the party,
being otherwise qualified, shall be allowed to vote
and hold office:
81, A. B., do solemnly swear, on the Holy
Evangclists of Almighty God, that on the 4th day
of March. 1864, and at all times thereafter, l
would willingly have complied with the require
ments of the Proclamation of the President of the
United States, issued on the Sth day of Deem
Der, 1868, had safe opportunity of so doing been
allowed; and that on the said 4th of March, 1864,
and all times thereafter was opposed to the
continuance of the Rebellion, and to the estab-
lishment of the so-called Confederate Govern
ment, and voluntarily gave no aid and comfort
thereto, but earnestly desired the success of the
Union and the suppression of all armed resistance
to the Government of the United States; and
that will henceforth faithfully support the Con-
stitutiOn of the United States and the Union of
the States Hereunder
Sec. Z. And be it further enacted, That no con-
stitution shall be presented to acted on by
Congress which denies to any citizen any rights,
any other citizen in the State. All laws shall be
impartial without regard to language, race or
former condition. If the provisions of this sec
ton should ever be altered, repealed, expunged,
or in any way abrogated, this act shall become
void and said State lose its right to be represent
ed in Congress.
SEC. s. And be it further enacted That when
ever the foregoing conditions shall be complied
with, the citizens of said State may present said
constitution to Congress, and if tie same shall be
approved by Congress, said State shall be
declared entitled to the rights, privileges and
immunities, and be subject to all the obligations
and liabilities of a State within the Union. No
Senator or Represe ntative shall be admitted into
either House of Congress until Congress shall