The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-03-11
The Election Ordinance.

On tie I'd inst the Mechanics Hall Charcoal Con
venton adopted the following ordinance i'll relation te
the ratification of the Constitution which they have
just hached and for the election of Parish, State ano
Congressional officers 1t will be seen that they have
selected the 7th aud 18th of Apras the days of cleo
ton. Let al who feel an interest in the future Ct our
welfare read and digest
Art. 151. Immediately upon the adjournment of this
convention this Constitution shall be submitted to1
ratification to the registered voters of the State IN
tormy to the act of Congress passed March 3D. 1867
entitled An act to provide for the more efficient gov
eminent the rebel States, aud the acts supplement-
airy thereto"
Art 152. The election for the ratification of the Con-
stitution shall be held Friday and Saturday, April
II and 49, 1868, at the places now prescribed by law
and the polls shall be kept open from o'clock 4 NJ to
o'clock At the election all those in favor of rat
flying the Constitution shall have written on their bal
lots For the CONSTITUTIONS and those opposed to
ratfyiug the Constitution shall have written printed
on their ballots, Against the CONSTITUTE on"
Art. 49, In order to establish civil government as
required by act of Congress- passed March 3d. 1867 an
election shall be held at the time and place. at
which the Constitution is submitted for ratification for
all State, judicial parish and municipal officers for
members of the General Assembly, and for Congress
who are qualified under the reconstruction acts of
Congress shall vote, and none others; provided that
any elector shall be eligible to any Office under any
municipal corporation in this State,
III u. 1Jf. az 1'tV "I01 l0f tuG f&tlcatOn OF the
Constitution, and for officers Of the civil government
as required by Congress- all registered electors may
vote IN any parish where they have resided for ten days
next preceding said election and any precinct in the
parish UPON presentation of their certificate of regisra
tion adavitor other satisfactory evidence that they
are entitled to vote as registered electors.
Art; l55. The same registrars and commissioners
who shall be appointed by the commanding general of
the fifth military district superntend tho election for
she ratification rejection of the Constitution, shall
Also at the same time and place. superntend the cleo
tnt.u barh
provided they be authorised to act by the command
ing general. And in the commanding general
should not so authorize said registrars and commission
ers, the committee of seven appointed by this conven
on to take charge Of the whole matter of the ratca
ton Of the Constitution and the election Of civil officers
shall appoint registrar for each parish in the State
except the parish of Orleans, and in each district
of the parish of Orleans, counting Orleans right bank,
district who SHALL each in his parish district,
appoint sufficient number Of election
to hold the said election for said civil officers and rep
resentavcs, at the same time and place as herein pro-
vided for.
Art 1885, Returns shall be made in duplicate, sworn
to by the commissioners holding the election, and for
arded within three days thereafter, to the registrars
of the parish district The registrars shall mmedi
aely forward copy of said returns to the chairman
the committee of appointed by this convention,
who SHALL wfshin ten days after the last return has
been received make proclamation of the result OF said
election.
Art l57. All civil officers thus elected shall enter
lpon the discharge of their duties the second Mon
lay after the returns of their election shall have been
officially promulgated, or as soon thereafter as quaEed
according to law, and shall continue in office for the
their respective offices herein prescribed, said
ernls to date from the first Monday in November fol-
owing their election. + '.'F .'
Art. 5. The General Assembly elected under this
Constitution shall hold its first session in the city of
Jew Orleans the third Monday aftert the official pro-
lulgatoh aforesaid, and proceed Immediately upon its
rganfsation to vote upon the adoption of the four
zenith amendment to the Constitution of the United
tates, proposed by Congress, and passed June -,
856 said legislature shall not have power to enact
ny laws rel atiFe to the per diem Of members, auy
Their subject after organisation until said constitu
onal amendment shailEhave been acted upon.
Art. 159. Ali registrars and commissioners appointed
nder this Constitution shall, before entering upon
ler duties, take and subscribe the oath of office pre-
,ribed by Congress, approved July 2, 1862, entitled
an act to prescribe an oath of office" The said oath
office shall be administered, to each registrar by the
larman of the committee of seven herein provided
r. and to each commissioner by the registrar appoint
& him.
Arr lC0 All registrars, commissioners and other {
hcers necessary to carry into effect the provisions of
us ordinance, except otherwise provided for by !
e reconstruction acts Of Congress, shall be paid out
any funds raised by virtue Of the tax ordinance,
lopted by the convention, December q, 1867, not
herwise appropriated