Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-07-30
CONGRESSIONAL.

votes.
The reconstruction committee reported a
bill for the more speedy re-o-g anization Of
Virginia, Mississippi aud Texas.
During the debate on the bill, Mr.. But
Ter declared himself in favor of the bill,
but said he was hopeless Of its becoming a
law as the resolution to adjourn Monday
would defeat it. If the Republicans lost
the Southern States they could not object
to their being counted against them, and
if the Republicans won them the President
had said their governments were illegal,
and their votes could not be counted, and
the President held the purse. the sword,
New York World claimed that if Congress
adjourned every Southern State would be
carried. for the Democratic ticket. and
General Butler believed it Congress was
simply losing time III considering this bill.
If the reconstruction policy could not stand
Congress ought to protect it. They ought
to protect its action, their honor as legs-
.ators and themselves. Here Buffers time
expired.
Mr. Beck, Democrat, of Kentucky, APP
pealed to the House not to pass the bill,
not to consign the State named to reckless
larry against the peaceful white inh abitants,
but rather to leave these States under the
protection of the United States troops
The bill was passed by strict party
vote. EXCEPT John Baber. Republican of
Illinois, who voted with the Democrats
The following is the bill:
4 Till 0 proe,de for the mo spe dy reor-
g n aation Of the States Of Virginia,
NJ sissippi and Te.cas, and for otte.'
purposes
BE it enacted, &c. Sec. l. That for
the better security Of persons and proper
ty in Texas. Virginia and Mississippi the
constitutional conventions OF each Of said
States heretofore elected under and in
pursuance of an act OF Congress, passed
March %, 1867 entitled ian act for the
more efficient government Of the rebel
States and the several acts of Congress
supplementary and amendatory thereof.
shall have and are hereby authorized to
exercise the following powers in addition
to the powers now authorized by law. to
wit: 10 MAKE removals and appointments
Of ali officers of the provisional govern
ments Of said States respectively; to au-
States respectively TO remove and appoint
registers aud judges Of elections under
SAID acts OF Congress, which registers ami
judges of elections shalIno be eligible to
any elective Office under said provisional
government, and shall observe the proyis-
ioas of SAID acts Of Congress to organize
and maintain constabuIary force i'll each
of said States, to preserve the peace and
aid III the execution OF tie laws; to provide
by ordinances for the reassemb bling Of said
several conventions from time to time and
for holding all elections authorized by said
acts of Congress, and for ascertalning and
declaring the result OF said elections, and
especially any election which may be held
for the ratification OF rejection OF any con-
s;itutlon which said several conventions
may submit to the people Of either OF said
States, and to pass such ordinances, not
inconsistent with the constitution aud laws
OF the United States, as SAID conventions
may deem necessary TO protect all persons
the. ELL III their lives, PERSONS and proper
ty.
Sec g And be it further enacted, That
the several ordinances that may be passed
by the constitutional conventions OF either
Of said States, as herein provided, shall be
enforced by the provisional government OF
such State until disapproyed by Congress,
Or until such State shall have adopted a
constitution of State government, and the
same shall have been approved by Con
gress Provided, thai nothing in this act
shall deprive any person d trial by jury III
tue courts Of said States for offences against
the laws OF said States.
Sec 3 Be 1t further enacted, That the
military commanders in each OF said States
shall give aid to the officers of the provis-
onal government Of each of said States in
preserving the peace and enforcing the
laws, aud especially in SURPRISING unlaw-
full Instructions and forcible resistance to
the execution Of the laws
Sec 4 Be it further enacted, That on
the fourth Monday after the passage of this
act the said Conventions of Virginia and
Mississippi shall re-assemble Chat OF Tex
as being now III session, and the said
Convention Of Mississippi shall proceed to
| frame constitution Of State government,
and submit the same to the people under
and in pursuance of the provisions Of the
said acts of Congress and this act
Sec 5. That if in any one of said States
any person shall, during the year 1868.
vote for any candidate for elector of Pres
ident or Vice President Of the United
States, or shall act as an officer at any
election for such candidate. every person
so offending shall be deemed guilty Of a
high misdemeanor, and shall tie liable to
indictment for aud conviction thereof in
any court of competent jurisdiction. aud
shall on conviction be fned not more than
| 81 600 and be imprisoned not less than
one month nor more than one year
Sec 6 Be it further enacted, That it
shall be the duty Of the President Of the
United States to prohibit any person from
voting or acting as an officer Of any cleo
ton contrary to the provisions Of this act,
aud for that purpose he shall employ the
power of the army and navy SO far as
may be necessary
Section repeats all acts or parts of acts
cou dictinr with this aot