Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-06-18
Reconstruction.

The following is the omnibus bill, as passed
by both Houses. Az ACT to admit the States
ofNorth Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana,
Georgia, Alabama, and Florida to represen-
tation in Congress.
Whereas the people of North Carolina, South
Carolina. Louisiana Georgia, Alabama, and
Florida have, in pursuance of the provisions Of
an act entitled "An act for the more efficient
government of the rebel States" passed March
second, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, and
the acts supplementary thereto, framed constl-
buttons of State government which are repub-
lican, aud have adopted said constitutions by
large majorities of the votes cast at the cleo
tions held for the ratification or rejection Of the
same Therefore.
Be il enacted de-, That each Of the States Of
North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana,
Georgia. Alabama, and Florida shall be cnti-
tied and admitted to representation in Congress
as States Of the Union when the Legislatures
of said States respectively shall have July rat
fled the amendment to the Constitution of the
United States proposed by the Thirty-ninth
Congress, and known as article fourteen, Upon
the following fundamental conditions; That
the constitutions Of neither of said States shall
ever be so amended or changed as to deprive any
citizen or class of citizens of the United Stat Of
the right to vote in said State who are entitled
to vote by the constitution thereof herein rec
ognized except as q punishment for such
crimes as are now felonies at common law,
whereof they shall have been duly convicted
under laws equally applicable to all the iuhab-
itantS Of said State: PrOcided, That any a.
.tration of said constitution, prospective in its
effect. may be made with regard tn the time
and place of residence Of voters and the State
Of Georgia shall only he entitled and admitted
to representation upon this furtt er fundamen-
tai condition that the first and third s.bii-
visions Of section seventeen Of the fifth Article
of the constitution of said State, except tie
proviso to the first subdivision, shall he. null
and void, and that the General Assembly OF
said State, by solemn public act, shall declare
| the assent Of the State 10 the foregoing ipnda-
mental condition.
/ SEC >. and be Il further enacted, That il
the day fixed for the meeting Of the Legisla-
ture Of either of said States by the constitution
| or ordinance thereof shall have passed or have
| so nearly arrived before the passage Of this act
t0aJ lDeTe Sndlt not De tltle lnT tnt ltIlStdluIt
10 assemble at the period fixed. such Legisla-
/ ture shall convene at the end of twenty days
from the time this act takes effect, unless the
| Governor elect shall sooner convene the same
SEC. 8. And be il further enacted, That the
| FIRST section of this act shall take effect as =
each State except Georgia when such State
! shall, by its Legislature, duly ratify article
/ fourteen of the amendments I the Constitution
Of the United States proposed by the Thirty
ninth Congress; and as TO the State of Geor-
| gia, when it shall, in addition. give the assent
of said State to the fundamental condition here
inbefore imposed upon the same and there
upon the officers Of each State, duly elected
and qualified under the constitution thereof
shall be inaugurated without delay; but nc
person prohibited from holding Office under
the United States or under any State by Sec
ton three of The proposed amendment TO The
Constitution of the United States, known a.
article fourteen. shall he deemed eligible n any
office in either of said States unless relieve,
from disability as provided in said amendment
and it is hereby made the duty Of the P'es
dent, within ten DAYS after receiving official in
formation Of the ratification Of said amendmen
by the Legislature Of either Of said States, t
issue proclamation announcing that fact.