The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-02
Supplementary to the Stevens.Sherman.
Shellabarger Bill.

ShelldDarger Bill.
An ACT supplemental to an act entitled an net to
| provide for the more efficient government of
the rebel States, passed March 2, 1867, and to
facilitate restoration.
Be 10 enacted by the Senate and House of Renre-
scnatives Of the United States Of America in Con-
greSs assembled, That before the first day of
September, 1867, the commanding general in each
district defined by act entitled an act to pro-
vide for 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 parish in the
State States included in his district, which
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 affirmation:
81, -, do solemnly swear, or affirm, in the
presence of Almighty God, that am a 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
| Of, in said State, as the case may be; that /
am 81 years old; that have not been disfran-
chised tor participation in any rebellion civil
war against the United States, for felony
committed against the laws of any State or of
the United States; that 1 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 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 as an officer of the United
States, or member of any State Legislature,
or an executive or judicial officer of any State,
to support the Constitution Of the United States,
and afterwards engaged in insurrecton or re-
bellion 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 nv
ability, encourage others SO to do. So help me
God"
Which oath or affirmation may be administered
by any registering officer.
Sec 2. That after the completion of the regis
1n1f
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, parishes OF such State by the command
ing general, giving to each, representation in the
ratio of voters registered 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-
lature OF said State in the year 1850, to be appor
| toned as aforesaid.
Sec 8. That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for against con-
| vention to form a constitution under this act
| Those voting in favor of such q convention shall
have written or printed on the ballots by which
| vention;' and those voting against such a 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
q convention. II majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for convention, then
| such convention shall be held under this act:
P'ovided, That such convention shall not be held
unless a majority of all such registered votes
shall have voted on the question of holding such
convention.
Sec. 4. That the commanding general of each
district shall appoint such 10 al officers per-
sons as may be necessary, not exceeding three In
each election district. in any State, to make and
complete the registration, superintend the elec-
ton, and make return to him OF the votes, lists
of voters and OF the persons elected as delegates
by plurality of the votes cast at said election;
and upon receiving S: id returns he shall open
the same ascertain the persons elected as dele
gates according to the returns of the officers
who conducted said election and make proclama-
tiou thereof; and if majority of the votes given
that question shall be for a convention, the
commanding general, within sixty days from the
date of election, shall notify the delegates to as
semble in convention at a time and place to be
mentioned in the notification, and said Conven
ton, when organized, shall proceed to frame a
Constitution and civil government according to
the provisions of this act, and the act to which
it is supplementary; and when the same shall
have been so framed said Constitution shall be
submitted by the convention for ratif cation to
the person registered under the provisions of this
act, at an election to be conducted by the Off
GERS, persons appointed by the commanding
general as hereinbefore provided, and to be held
after the expiration of thirty days from the date
of notice thereof to be given by said conven-
ton, and the returns thereof shall be made to
the commanding general of the district.
x Tboti In coli rnt,,r no
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
half of all the registered voters voting upon the
question of such ratification, the president of the
convention shall transmit a copy of the same,
duly certified to the President of the United
States who shall forthwith transmit the same to
Congress, if then in session, and if not in
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
ami qualified electors in the State had an oppor-
tEnity to vote freely and without restraint, fear
eE the influence OF 1raul, and if Congress shall
Fksc satisfied that such constitution meets the APP
Broval of majority of the qualified electors In
the State, and if the said constitution shall be
declared by Congress to be in conformity with
the provisions of the act to which this is supple
mentary, 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 and Representatives shall be admit
ted therefrom as herein provided.
Sec. 6. 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 2, 1862, entitled IAN 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
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
al commanding generals, or by virtue of any Or
ders issued or appointments made by them uDder
or by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
atcd.
Sec. s. 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
collection of such taxes on the property in such
Stafn 1,r,,