The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-03-31
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BUTLER's MISSISSIPPI BILL.

WASHINGTON, March 23.-Thc Re-
construction Committee, ut their meet
ing to-day, had under consideration
the case of Mississippi, and, after a
protected discussion, Gen. Butler was
authorized to report n bill which he
had prepared, providing for the organ
ization of a provisional government for
that State. The leading points of the
bill provide that the Constitutional
Convention of Mississippi elected un-
der tho reconstruction acts, be author
iscd to assemble forthwith upon the call
OF the President; and in case of his
failure for thirty days to summon said
convention, then the Commanding
General of the Fourth Military Dis
trict is required to summon the con-
ventiOn to assemble at the State cant
tai. The convention to exercise the
power to appoint Provisional Gov
ernO; to remove and appoint regis
trars and judges of election, who shall
not DO voted for at elections, within
their own precincts; to submit to the
people of said State the constitution
heretofore framed by said Convention
either with or without amendments; to
provide by ordinance that the votes for
and against said constitution, or for or
against the clauses thereof, submitted
by this act to n separate vote, together
with the votes cast for and against all
State and local officers voted for under
said constitution, shall be forwarded
to the Provisional Governor by the
judges of election, and shall be count
ed in the presence of the Provisional
Governor, the General commanding the
Military District of the Mississippi, and
such committee as the Convention may
appoint for that purpose Git shall he
tho duty of said Provisional Governor,
Commanding General and committee,
to make proclamation of the result of
such clection:) to pass a law excepting
a homestead not exceeding one thou
sand dollars in value, and house
holdfurniturc, farming tools, provisions
and other articles of personal property
necessary for the support of n family,
not exceeding five hundred dollars in
value, from seizure or sale upon process
for the collection of debts, which law
shall continue in force until repealed or
modified by the Legislature to be elect
cd under the Constitution and to pass
such ordinance not inconsistent with
the Constitution and laws of tho United
States as it may deem necessary to
protect all persons in their lives. 1ibcr-
ty and property. Provided that such
Convention shall not continue in $685.
sion for more than sixty days; and
provided further, that the district not
represented from any cause in the Con-
vention at tho time of its adjournment
shall at once proceed to elect duly
qualified persons to take seats in said
Convention. The election of such del
egates shall be held under the direction
of the Commanding General, in accord
ance with the provisions of tho law of
March IL, 1867, for the more efficient
government of the rebel States, and
the acts supplementary thereto and
certificates of election shall be awarded
to the candidates receiving the highest
number of votes; and provided, also,
that said Convention may submit any
ono or more of the provisions of the
proposed Constitution to q separate
vote, and that the several ordinances
which may be passed by tho Conven-
ton of said State shall he enforced un-
til discharged by Congress, or until
Mississippi shall have adopted n Con-
stitutional State government, and the
same be approved by Congress.
The third section authorizes the mil
itary commander, upon the requisition
of the Provisional Governor, to aid the
State Government to preserve order.
The fourth section authorizes the
Provisional Governor to make remOv-
ais and appointments, subject to the
approval of the President. Tho Pro-
visional Government is subject to re-
moval by the President.
The fifth section imposes penalties
ron persons who unlawfuIly vote OF
falsely register themselves as voters.