Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-15
The New Reconstruction Bill.

The following is the full text Of tie act au-
thorizing the submission of the constitutions
of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas to vote of
the people, and authorizing the election of State
officers, provided by said constitutions, and
members of Congress, as approved and signed
by the President on Saturday:
Be il enacted, dc. That the President Of the
United States, at such time as be may deem
best for the public interest, may submit the
constitution which was framed by the Conven-
ton which met in Richmond, Virginia, on
Tuesday, the Sd day of Dec 1867, to the reg
istered voters of said State, registered at the
date Of said submission for ratification or rejec-
ton, and may also submit to a separate vote
such provisions of said constitution as he may
deem best Such vote to be taken either upon
each Of the said provisions alone, or in connec-
ton with the other portions Of said constitution
as the President may direct.
Sec. .. That at the same election the voters
of said State may vote for and elect members
Of the General Assembly Of said State aud all
the officers of said State provided for by the
said constitution, and members of Congress,
and the officer commanding the district Of Nir-
GINA shall cause the lists of registered voters
If said State to be revised, enlarged and cor
rected prior to such election, according b law,
and for that purpose may appoint such regis
ters as he may deem necessary and said cleo
tons shall he held and returns thereof made in
the manner provided by the acts Of Congress
commonly called the reconstruction acts"
Sec g. That the President Of the United
States may. in Ike manner, submit the oonsti-
tuition Of Texas to the voters Of said State at
such time and in such manner as he may di
rect. either the entire constitution or separate
provisions Of the same, as provided in the first
section Of this act, tu a separate vote, and at
the same election the voters may vote for and
elect members Of the Legislature, and all the
State officers provided for in saia constitution,
and members e Congress. Provided also that
no election shall be held in said State Of Texas
for any purpose until the President 81 directs.
Sec A. That the President Of the United
States may. in like manner, as he may deem
expedent, direct either the entire constitution.
or separate provisions Of the same, as provided
in the first section of this act, to be submitted
to a separate State election, and at the same
election voters may vote for and elect the mem
bors Of the Legislature and all the State officers
provided for in said constitution. and members
of Congress.
Sec. 5. That if either Of said constitutions
shall he ratified at such elections the Legisla-
ture Of the State so ratifying, elected as pro-
vidcd in this act, shall assemble at the CAPT
tol Of said State on the fourth Tuesday after
the official promulgation Of such ratification
by the military officer commanding in said
State.
Sec. 6. That before the States Of Virginia.
Mississippi and Texas shall be admitted to a
in Congress, their several Legis-
latures. which may he hereafter lawfully organ
lied, shall rafify the 18th article, which has
been proposed by Congress to the several States
as an amendment to the constitution Of the
United States
Sec Z That the proceedings in any Of the
said States shall not be deemed final or operate !
as complete restoration thereof until their
action respectively shall be approved by Con-
gress.