The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-15
RECONSTRUCTION.
supplementary to the Stevens.Sherman-
Shellabarger Bill.

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complementary to the Stevens-Sherman-
Shellabarger Bill.
AN oT supplemental to an act entitled an act to
provide for the more efficient government OF
the rebel States, passed March 2, 1867, and to
facilitate restoration.
Be IT enacted by the Senate and House o. L6epre-
sentatiyes 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 an 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 or parish In the
State or States included in his district, which reg
istration will include only those persons VINO are
qualified to vote for delegates by the act afore-
said, and who shall have taken and subscribed the
following oath or affirmation:
81, -, 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
of - in said State, as the case may be; that
am 81 years old; that 1 have not been disfran-
chised for participation in any rebellion or civil
war against the United States. nor for felony
the United States; that 1 have never been
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 have never
taken oath member of Congress OF the
United States, or an officer of the United
States, or as Il member of any State Legislature,
an executive or judicial officer of any State,
to support the Constitution OF the United States,
and afterwards engaged in instruction or re-
bellion against the United States or 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
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
tration hereby provided for in any State at such
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 a convention
for the purpose of establishing constitution
and civil government for such State loyal to the
Union; said convention i'll each State, except
Virginia. to consist of the same number OF mcm-
bers as the most numerous branch OF the State
Legislature OF such State in the year 1861, 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 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 Legls-
lature OF said State in the year $780, 10 be appor-
toned as aforesaid.
Sec 3. That at said election the registered yo-
tiers of each State shall vote for or againsta con-
vention to form 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
vention;" and those voting against such con-
vention shall have written or printed On such
ballots the words against 4 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 convention;
and the commanding general, to whom tine same
shall have been returned, shall ascertain and de-
clare the total vote in each State for and against
Il convention. II a majority of the votes given
on that question shall be for convention, then
such convention shall be held under this act:
PrOUided, That such convention shall not be held
unless 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 snail appoint such loyal officers or per
sons as may be necessary, not exceeding three in
each election district. in any State, to make and
complete the registration, supcrintend the cleo
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:d returns lie 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 |
ton thereof; and if majority of the votes given
on that question shall he for a convention, the |
general, within sixty days from the |
date Of election, shall notify the delegates to as
semble in convention at time and place TO be |
in the notification, and said Conven |
ton, when organized, shall proceed to frame |
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 ratification to
the person registered under the provisions of this
lct, at an election to be conducted by the Off
GERS, or persons appointed by the commanding
general as hcreinbcfore provided, and to be held
lfter the expiration of thirty days from the date
Of notice thereof to be given by said conven-
hn thnrpOf IA m
he commanding general of the district.
Sec. 5. That if, according to said returns, the
constitution shall be ratified by majority of the
votes of the registered electors qualified as here
II specified, cast at said election, at least one
lalf 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-
ion, then Immediately upon its next assembling;
md if it shall moreover appear to Congress that
lie election Was one at which all the registered
md qualified electors in the State had an oppor-
unity to vote freely and without restraint, lear
,r the influence OF fraud and if Congress shall
,e satisfied that such constitution meets the ap-
,roval OF majority of the qualified electors In
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
hall have been complied with, and the said con-
titution shall be approved by Congress, the +
tate shall be declared entitled to representation
nd Senators and Representatives shall be admit
ed therefrom as herein provided.
Sec. g. That all elections in the States men ,,
toned in the said 'tAct to provide for the more =
fficient government of the rebel States" SHALL ,
uring the operation of said act, be by ballot;
nd all officers making the said registration of
oters and conducting said elections shall, before
ntering upon the discharge of their duties, sub I
cribe oath faithfully to perform the duties of
heir said effice, and the oath prescribed by the
ct approved July 2, 1862, entitled can act to t
rescribc an oath of ofice;' Provided That Ifany
erson shall knowingly and falsely take and sub f
cribe any oath in this act prescribed such per- t
on so offending, and being thereof duly convict c
Il, shall be subject to the pains, penalties and G
liabilities which by law are provided for the G
of the crime of wilful and corrupt
erjury. =
Sec z. That all expenses incurred by the sever 4
commanding generals, by virtue of any OF. i
ers issued or appointments made by them upder Q
r by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of sny
loneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri- S
ted
Sec s. That the convention for each State shall
rescribe the fees, salary and compensation to be
aid to all delegates and other officers and agents
erein authorized necessary to carry into effect
ne purposes of this act, not herein otherwise :
rovided for, and shall provide for the levy and
objection Snch n NV in