The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-12-30
The Georgia Reconstruction Bill.

THE following is copy of the Georgia
Reconstruction bill which passed the
Senate on the 18th, and the House on the
21st of December:
BE IL enacted, etc., that the Governor OF
the State of Georgia be, and hereby is,
authorized and directed forthwith, by proc
lamation, to summon all persons elected
to the General Assembly of said State, as
appears by the proclamation OF George ".
Mead, General commanding the military
district including the State of Georgia,
dated June %, 1863, to appear on some
certain day to be named in SAID proclama-
ton, at Atlanta, in said sState, and there
upon the General Assembly shall proceed
to perfect it's organization in conformity
with the Constitution and laws OF the |
United States, according to the provisions
of this act.
SEC. , And be it further enacted, that |
when the members so elected to said Sen |
ate and House of Representatives shall be
convened as aforesaid, each and every
member, and each and every person claim
ing to be elected as member OF said Sen
ate or House of Representatives, shall, In
addition to taking the oath or oaths re-
uuired by the Constitution of Georgia,
also take and subscribe and file in the Of
flee of the Secretary of State of the State
of Georgia, one of the following Oaths or
affirmations, namely;
Il do solemnly swear Cor affirm, as the
case may be- that have never held office
or exercised the duties of n Senator or
Representative in Congress, nor been a
member of the Legislature of any State
Of the United States, nor held any civil
office erected by law for the administra-
tion of any general law of State, or for the
administration of justice in any State, or
under the laws of the United States, nor held
any office in the military or naval service OF
the United States and thereafter engaged
in instruction or rebellion against the
United States. or gave aid and comfort
10 its enemies, or rendered, except in con-
sequence of direct physical force, any sup
port or aid to any instruction or rebellion
against the United States, nor held any
office urder, or given any support to any
government of any kind, organized or act
ing IN hostility to the United States, or
ievying war against the United States. SO
help me God" Or, con the pains and penal
ties of perjury" as the case may be; or
the following oath or affirmation, viz:
q do sOlmenly swear Tor affirm as the
case may be-, that | have been relieved by
an act of the Congress of the United
States from disability, as provided for in
section three of the Fourteenth Amend
ment of the Constitution of the United
States. So help me, God" tor, on the pains
and penalties of perjury, as the case may
be-, which oath of affirmation, when sc
filed, shall be entered on record by the
Secretary of State of the State of Georgia
and said oath or affirmation, a copy o.
the record thereof, duly certified by said
Secretary of State, shall be evidence in all
courts and places, and every person claim
ing to- be so elected, who shall refuse, OF
decline, or neglect, or be unable to take
one of the said Oaths or affirmatiOns above
provided, shall not be admitted to a seal
in said Senate or House of Representa-
tiyes, or to participation in the proceed
ings thereof, but shall be deemed ineligi
bic to such seats.
SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, that
if any person, claiming to be elected Il
said Senate or House of Representative!
as aforesaid, shall falsely take either Of TIA,
said oaths or affirmations above provided
he shall be deemed guilty of perjury, ant
shall suffer the pains and penalties there
of, and be tried, convicted and punished
therefor, by the Circuit Court of tn,
United States for the district of Georgia
in which district said crime was committed
and the jurisdiction of said court shall b.
solely and exclusively for the purpOs
aforesaid.
SEC. 1. And be it further enacted, tina
the persons elected as aforesaid, and en-
titled to compose such Legislature, an,
who shall comply with the provisions O
this act, by taking one of the oaths o
aifirmatiOns above prescribed, shall there
upon proceed in said Senate and House Q
Representatives, to which they have bee
elected respectively, to reorganize sal
Senate and House of Representatives re
spectiyely, by the election and qualifica
ton of the proper officers of each house.
SEC D. And be it further enacted, tina
II any person shall, by force, violence, O
fraud, willfully hinder or interrupt an
person or persons elected as aforesaid
from taking either of the Oaths or aflirms
tions prescribed by this act, or from pal
tlcIpatIon IN the proceedings of sal
Senate or House Of Representatives, afte
having taken one of said oaths or affirm;
tons, and otherwise complied with tn
act, he will be deemed guilty of fclon,
and may be tried, convicted and punishe
therefor by the Circuit or District Cou
OF the United States for the District
Georgia In which district said often.
shall be committed, and shall be punisht
therefor by Imprisonment at hard lab
for not less than two nor more than to
years, in the discretion of the Court. al
the jurisdiction of such courts shall
sole and exclusive for the purpose afor
said.
SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, tn
1t Is hereby declared that the exclusion
any person or persons, elected as afor
SAID, and being otherwise qualified fro
participation In the proceedings of 81
Senate or House of Representative IN,
The ground OF race, color or prcvious 90
dItiOn of servitude, would be illegal a,
revolutionary, and is hereby prohibited.
SEC. l. And be it further enacted. II
upon the application of the Govern
OF Georgia, the President of I
United States shall employ SUI
military or naval forces of the Unit
States as may he necessary to enforce a
execute the provisions Of this act.
SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, IL
The Legislature shall ratify the Fifteen
Amendment proposed to the CONSTITUTE
OF the nited States, before the Senate
ana representatives from Georgia are
mitted to seats in Congress
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS