The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-07-24

0OOut . " StoSh, suC Uukku1nSS Va sA4O &tVA W |
State Iron Works in the Western Ward, were
discovered to be on fire. The flames spread
from the centre of the roof of the middle
building, where it was first seen, very rapid
ly, and soon the whole of the main structure
was burning furiously. The machinery was
not saved but owing to the excrtions Of
many citizens, the stores which were deposi-
ted in the front rooms were rescued from the
flames. The foundry building was not
burned.
We observed the fire companies Of our
City on the ground, very active and very
useless. owing to lack of water and the an
tiquated construction of the engines and ap- |
paratus. But they deserve credit for their
exertions. -
This fire was no doubt the work of an in |
cend:ary. Messrs. B. P. Williamson & Co.,
Put down their loss from eight to ten thou
sand dollars. This company manufactured |
agricultural implements, and the destruc-
ton of their shops will be much regretted by |
our farmers.
We understand that this enterprising CON-
pany will commence rebuilding at once.
THE UNrvERsITY.-We invite attention to
the admirable and well-considered commu-
nicatlon in the Standard to-day, in relation
to the University. l
A Bill to Enable the Inhabitants of the
late Rebel states to Form State Gov.
ernments.
Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, of Pennsylvania,
introduced the following bill in the House
yesterday. 1t was referred to the Commit
tee on Reconstruction ~
Be it enacted By the Senate aud House Of
Representatives Of the United States Of
America IN Congress assembled, That all
governments and pretended governments
within that portion Of the territory which
lately claimed to belong to the Confederate
States of America, and which the United
States of America have conquered, to wit:
the territory lately called the State of Vir-
ginia, (here follows names of all the South
ern States, designated as Virginia is,and the
bill then proceeds as follows J are hereby
| declared null and void and of no effect, 9TH
er than that which they shall derive from
the action of Congress The municipal
corporations and offices existing de tact0 for
local purposes shall be continued until Con-
gress, or those authorized by Congress shall
determine their existence. isls
Sec 2. And be it further enacted, Tint
until the said territory shall be prepared
with proper constitutions and regularly ad-
mitted into the Union as new States it shall
be governed as follows: Three commission
ers, civilians, shall be chosen by the joint ac-
ton of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives for each of the divisions now called
military districts, two of whom shall be nomi-
mated by the House and one by the Senate,
who shall be called commissioners of recon-
struction. They shall discharge all the duties
which, by the act of March 2, 1857, and its
supplement of March %, 1867, are now en-
joined upon the military commanders, ex-
cept so far as is altered by this act, and they
shall proceed to correct and complete tue
registration already in progress, with all con-
venient speed. When the registration is
completed they shall take the same action
with regard to the formation of the constitu-
ton as is now prescribed to the military CON-
manders in the acts aforesaid, and whenever
any portion of said territory shall have
been formed into proper State, and its
constitution submitted to Congress and ap-
proved by it, it shall be admitted into
the Union and declared capable of repre-
sentation in the Congress of the United
States The military commanders and all in
military authority are hereby relieved from
any duty within said Territory, except the
preservation of the peace which they shall
enforce upon the demand of the commits
sioners of reconstruction, or any of them
The admission, of new States into the Union
and the reconstruction of old ones is the sole
duty and work of Congress, and neither the
President nor any head of Department, nor
the judiciary, nor the military, have any
right to interfere in such matters unless re-
quired by the Congress of the United States.
The opinion of the Attorney General upon
any point connected with the admission of
new States or the reconstruction of destroyed
ones, is unauthorized, and ought not to be
obtruded upon Government, lest there may
be misunderstanding with regard to who
are entitled to exercise the elective franchise
both in the election of delegates to form q
convention, and in the confirmation or rejec-
ton of any constitution they may form tits
declared that all such persons who volunta-
/ rily engaged in the late rebellion shall be ex-
cluded from registration, and such fact may
be proved by paroled evidence, and for that
purpose the commissioners Of reconstruction,
| or either of them, shall have power to call
witnesses, administer oaths, ask questions,
and conduct the examination in such man.
ner as may be necessary to ascertain the
/ truth. Any false swearing under this law.
shall be deemed felony and punished as such.
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