The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-15
supplementary to the Stevens-Sherman.
- ~ Shellabarser Bill.

Supplementary to the Stevens-Sherman.
ss4s Shellabarser 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
IS facilitate restoration.
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatiues of the United States Of america in Con-
qress assembled That before the first day of
September, 1867, the commanding general in each
district defined by an act entitled an act to pro-
vide for the more efficient government of the rebel
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 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:
II, -, 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
am 81 years old; that 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 at
forwards engaged in Instruction or rebellion
against the United States, and given aid or COM
fort to the enemies thereof; that 1 have never
taken an oath as member of Congress of the
United States, or an officer of the United
States, or as 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-
belllon against the United States, 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
m
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 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 a 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-
laure OF said State in the year 1860 to be appor-
toned as aforesaid.
Sec 3. That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for or against con-
vention to form a 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 a con-
yentlon; 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 a 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
n convention. If a majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for convention, then
such convention shall be held under this act:
PfOoided, That such convention shall not be held
unless ma jority of all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question of holding such
Sec. 4. That the commanding general of each
district shall appoint such 10 al officers OF 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
Dy plurality of the votes cast at said election;
ind upon receiving said returns he shall open
he same, ascertain the persons elected as dele
gates according to the returns of the officers
who conducted said election and make procama-
ion thereof; and if ma Ority of the votes given
IN that question shall be tor a 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
mentioned in the notification, and said Conven
ion, when organized, shall proceed to frame a
Constitution and civil government according to
he provisions of this act, and the act to which
is supplementary; and when the 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
into
General as hercinbctore provided, and to be held
fter the expiration of thirty days from the date
# 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
n specified, cast at said election, at least one
lalt of all the registered voters voting upon the
question of such ratification the president of the
convention shall transmit a copy of the same,
July 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- I
ion, then Immediately upon its next assembling;
md if it shall moreover appear to Congress that
he 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
or the influence OF traud, and if Congress shall
DC satisfied that such constitution meets the ap-
prevail of majority of the qualified electors Ia
he State, and if the said constitution shall be
declared by Congress to be in conformity with
he provisions of the act to which this is supple
nentary, and the other provisions of said act
shall have been complied with, and tue said con- /
titution shall be approved by Congress, the
State shall be declared entitled to representation,
md Senators and Representatives shall be admit
ed thcrefrom as herein provided.
Sec. g. 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
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 efice, and the oath prescribed by the
act approved July 2, 1862, entitled s'An aet to
prescribe oath of office;' Provided, That 1fany
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
ed, 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
II commanding generals, or by virtue of any Or
lers issued or appointments made by them upder !
Dr. by virtue of this act shall be paid out of shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
ated.
Sec. 8. That the convention for each State shall |
prescribe the fees, salary and compensation to be |
paid to all delegates and other officers and agents
herein authorized necessary carry into effect
the purposes of this act, not herein otherwise |
provided for, and shall provide for the levy and