The Van Buren press., 1867-04-05
The Supplemental Reconstruction Bill.

Auc o"PpiemS"s"s 'SV""""~N" c''
was finally agreed upon by both Houses
OF Congress, on the 10th inst. The fol.
lowing is copy Of the bill as passed
over the veto:
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives Of the United States
of America in Congress 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 states,' approved March 2, 1857,
shall cause registration to be made OF
the male citizens of the United States,
twenty-One years Of age and upwards,
resident in each county or parish in the
State or States included in his district,
which registration shall include only
those persons who are qualified to vote
for delegates by the act aforesaid, and
who shall have taken and subscribed the
following oath or Affirmation:
lido solemnly swear or affirm in the pres
ence of Almighty God, that am "A citizen Of
tHt Clitc vi - tiidt nave itStutu
State for - months, next preceding this day.
and now reside in the county OF - or the
parish Of in said State Gas the cfse may
De.) That am twenty -0ne years old. Tha;
have not been disfranchised for participa-
ton in any rebellion or civil war against the
United States. nor for felony committed
against the law Of any State or the United
States. That have never taken an oath rs
a member of Congress Of the United States, or
as member OF any State Legislature Of any
State to support the constitution vi tine United
States. nor have / been member Of the State
Legislature. nor held any executive or judicial
oilicie in any State, and afterward engaged in
insurrection or rebellion against the United
States. or given aid or comfort to the enemies
thereof, that will faithfully support the Con-
stitution and obey the laws OF the United
States, and that will TO the best Of my abili
ty encourage all others so to do. 20 help me
God :" which oath or affirmation may be adj
ministered by any registering officer.
Sec 2. And be it further provided,
That after the completion Of the registra.
ton hereby provided for in any State,
at such time and places therein as the
commanding general shall appoint and
direct, of which at least thirty days pub
lie notice shall be given, an election shall
be held Of delegates to convention for
thepurpose 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 members as the most
numerous branch of the State Legislature
of such State in the year 1860, to be ap.
portioned among the several districts,
counties or parishes of such State by the
commanding general, giving to each rep
resentation in the ratio Of voters regis
tered 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
Virginia in the most numerous branch Of
the Legislature of said State in the year
1860, to be apportioned as aforesaid
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, that
at said election registered voters of each
State shall vote for or against conven-
ton to form constitution therefor under
this act, those voting in favor Of such a
convention shall have written or printed
on the ballots by which they vote for
delegates as aforesaid the words " For a
Convention" and those voting against
such a convention shall have written or
printed on such ballots the words
against a Convention - the persons ap.
pointed to superintend said elections
and make return of the votes given there.
at, as herein provided, shall count and
make return Of the votes given for and
against convention, and the Command.
ing General, to whom the same shall have
been returned, shall ascertain and declare
the total vote in such State for and against
convention; if a majority Of the votes
given on that question shall be given for
a convention, then such convention shall
be held as hereinafter provided; but If a
majority Of said votes shall be against a
convention, then no such convention
shall be held under this act, provided that
such convention shall not be held unless
a majority ofsuch registered voters shall
have voted on the question of holding
such convention.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That
the Commanding General Of each district
shall appoint not exceeding three in each
election district in any State, to make
and complete the registration, superintcnd
the election, and make returns to him of
the votes. lists Of voters, and Of the per.
sons elected as delegates by n plurality
Of the votes cast at said election; and,
upon receiving said returns, he shall open
the same, ascertain the persons elected
as delegates, according to the returns Of
the officers who conducted said election,
and make proclamation thereof and with.
in sixty. days from the date Of election
he shall notify the delegates to assemble
in convention, at time and place to be
mentioned in the notification, and said
Convention, when organized, shall first
determine by vote whether it is the
wish Of the people Of such State to frame
a Constitution and civil government ac-
cordng to the provisions Of this act and
the act to which it is supplementary, and,
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