The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-04-17
THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT BILL
8 COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE SHER-
2 Observation-Disclosures BILL, OR THE
RECONSTRUCTION BILL


WHEREAS, No legal State governments OIL
adequate protection for life or property now
exists in the rebel States of Virginia, North
Carolina, SOuth Carolina, Georgia, Missis-
sippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Texas and
Arkansas; and whereas, it is necessary that
peace and good order should be enforced in
said States until loyal and republican State
governments can be legally established;
Their fore,
Be it enacted, &C., That said rebel States
shall be divided into military districts and
made subject to the military authority Of the
United States, as hereinafter prescribed; and
for that purpose Virginia shall constitute the
fist district, North Carolina and South, Caro-
lima the second district Georgia, Alabama and
Florida the third district, Mississippi and Ar
kansas the fourth district, Louisiana and Tex
as the fifth district.
Sec 2. That it shall be the duty of the Pres
ident to assign to the command Of each of said
di. tricts an officer of the army not below the
rank of brigadier general, and TO detail a suf-
fcient military force to enable such officer to
perform his duties and enforce his authority
within the district to which be is assigned. y
Sec. 3. That it shall be the duty of each Off
Ger assigned as Aforesaid to protect all persons
in their rights Of person and property, to sup
press instruction, disorder and violence, and
to punish or cause to be punished all disturb
ers of the peace and criminals, and to this end
he may allow local civil tribunal, to taxi juris-
dictioI Of and try offenders, or, when in his
judgment il may be necessary for the trial ofof-
Tenders, he shall have power TO organize military
commission or tribunals for that purpose; and
all interference under color Of State authority
with the exercise Of military authority under
this act shall be null and void.
Sec. 4. That all persons put under military
arrest by virtue of this act, shall be tried with
out unnecessary delay, and no cruel or unu-
sual punishment shall be inflicted; and no SEN
tence Of ans military commission or tribunal
hereby authorized, efiectlng the NE OF liberty
OF any person, shall be executed until it is ap
proved by the officer in command Of The dis
lrict; and the laws and regulations for the gov
ernment Of the army shall not be effected by
this act, except in so far as they may conflict
with its provisions.
Sec. s. That when the people Of any one Of |
the said rebel States shall have formed a |
of government in conformity |
with the Constitution of the United States |
in all RESPECTS, framed by a convention of
delegates elected by the male citizens Of said
State twenty-one years old aud upward, of /
whatever race, color or previous condition,
who have been residents in said State for
one year previous to the day Of sneh cleo
lion, except such as may be DISTINGUISHED
for participation in the rebellion, OF for felo-
Nv at common law and when such consti-
buttons shall provide that the elective fran
,hise shall be enjoyed by all such persons as
nave the qualifications herein stated, for
SECTION Of delegates aud wheIS uch con-
Ititution shall Be ratified by . majority Of
he persons Wellington the question Of ratih-
alton who are qualified IS electors for dele
.ates. and when such constitution shall have
,een submitted 10 Congress for examination
nd approval and Congress shall have aP-
lroved the same and when said state, BY
vote Gifts Legislators elected under said
constitution, shall have adopted the amend I
aeuf % the Constitution Of the United
tates prOpcsed By Tie ThirtT-ninth Con ,