The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-02
RECONSTRUCTION.
supplementary to the stevens-Sherman-
ShelIabarger Bill. - gfs

l.
Re,t enacted bg the Senate and House Of Repfe
seatatioes Of the United States Of america IN Con
| qyess assembled That before the first Gay OF
September, 1867 the commanding generai IN each
district defined by an act entitled an ACT 10 pro.
vide for the more efficient government OF the reDel
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 ana up
wards resident in each county or parish in the
State or States included in his district, when reg
istration will include only those persons wh0 are
qualified to vote for delegates by the act aiore-
said, and who shall have taken and suoscrloeo tue
| following oath or affirmation:
81 - do solenluly swear, or aff1rm In the
presence of Almighty God, that am cilz s1. oa
! the State Of, that have resided i'll SAID state
| for - months next preceding this day, ana
now reside in the county of or the pails4
! Of, in said State as the case may DC tnal
am 81 wears old; that have not been dIsfran-
chised tor participation in any rebellion or civil
war against the United States, nor for felony
committed against the laws OF any state OF ol
the United States; that [ have never been
member OF any State Legislature, nor held any
executive judicial office in any State, and al
J forwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion
against the United States, and given aid or COM
fort to the enemies thereof; that L have never
| tax en- an oath member of Congress of the
United States, an officer of the United
| States, or as member of any State Legislature,
or as eXecu i've 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. q That after the completion of the regis
tratiOn hereby provided for in any State at such
| time and place therein as the commanding gen.
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
Sfat,l lie inf
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 mem
ber5 us the most numerous branch Of the State
Legislature of such State in the year 1860 to be
apportioncd among the several districts, coun-
tics, or parishes OF such State by the command
ing general, giving to each representation in the
ratio OF voters registered as aforesaid, nearly
as may be. The Convention in Virginia shall
consist OF the same number of members as rep
resented the territory constituting Vir-
ginia in the most numerous branch Of the Legis-
lature OF salt o:.s!c III the year 1850, TO bc appor
toned as aforesaid
Sec 8. That at said election the registered vo-
tiers of each State shall vote for or against
ventfon 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 a con-
vcntion;' and those voting against such Il con-
yenton shall have written or printed such
ballots the words against convention" The
persons appointed to superntend said election,
and to make return of the votes given thereat,
herein provided, shall count and make return
of the votes given for and against a convention;
and the commanding general, to whom the same
shall have been returned, shall ascertain and de-
clare the total vote III each State for and against
convention Ii a majority of the votes given
ON that question shall be for convention then
such convention shall be held under this act:
HVric1ed, 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 f. That the commanding general of each
iii str shall MT SnpI n Il
sons may be necessary, not exceeding three in
each election district. in any State, to- make and
complete the registration, superintend the elec-
tion 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 said returns he shall open
the same, ascertain the persons elected IL dele
gates according 20 the returns of the officers
who conducted said election and make proclana-
ton thereof; and if Il majority of the votes given
on that question shall he Tor 4 convention, the
commanding general, within sixty days from the
date of election, shall notify the delegates to as
semble i'll convention at time and place to be
mentioned i'll 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 framed, said Constitution shall be
submitted by the convention for ratification to
the person registered under the provisions of this
act, at all election to be conducted by the Off
GERS or persons appointed by the commanding
general as hercinbefore provided, and to be held
after the expiration of thirty days from the date
OF notice thereo' to be given by said convcn-
zion, and the returns thereof shall be made to
uhe commanding general of the district.
Sec. B. That if, according to said returns, the
constitution shall be ratified by majority of the
votes of the registered electors qualified as here
in specified, cast at said election, at least one
hall OF all the registered voters voting upon the
question OF such ratification, the president of the
convention shall transmit u copy OF the same
duly 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-
sion then immediately uponits next assembling;
and ii it shall moreover appear to Congress that
the election WAS one at which all the registered
and qualified electors in the State had an oppor-
tunity to vote freely and without restraint, fear
or the influence OF frau.l, and if Congress shall
be satisfied that such constitution meets the "a
proval of majority of the qualified electors In
the State, and if the said constitution shall be
declared b. Congress to be i'll conformity with
the provisions OF the act to which this is supple
mcntary, and the otl;er provisions of said act
shall have been complied with, and the said con-
stitution shall be approved by Congress, the
State shall be declared entitled to representation
and Senators aad Representatives shall beadmit-
ted therefrom as herein provided. 1859
Sec. .. That all elections in the States men
toned in the said ''Act to provide for the more
efficient government of the rebel States" shall
during the ope ration of said act, be by ballot
and all officers making The said registration of
voters and conducting said elections SHALL before
entering upon the discharge of their duties, sub
their said effice, and the oath prescribed by the
act approved July ,, 1862, entitled San act to
prescribe an oath of office Provided, That ifany
person shall knowingly and falsely take and sub
scribe any oath in this act prescribed, such per-
son so offending, and being thereof duly convict
ed, shall be subject to the pains, penalties and
disabilities which by law are provided for the
punishment of the crime of wilful and corrupt
perjury.
Sec. z. That all expenses incurred by the sever
al commanding generals, or by virtue of any Or
ders issued or appointments made by them under
or by virtue OF this act shall be paid out of shy
moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropri-
ated. s...
Sec. g. That the convention for each State shall
prescribe the fees, salary and compensation to be.
paid to all delegates and other officers and agents
herein authorized or necessary ocarry into effect
the purposes of this act, not herein otherwise
provided for and shall provide for the levy and
ofsuch taxes on the property in such
State may be necessary to pay the same.
Sec Q. That the word ''artiele'' in the sixth
section of the act TO which this is supplemental
ry shall be construed to mean Section
SCHUYLER COLFAX,
Speaker of the House OF Representatives
LA FAYETTE s. FOSTER,
President of the Senate pro tenpore.
THE BIDDLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.