Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-04-01
GEORGIA.
The reconstruction Committee
at Work.
Provisions OF the Bill TO be Re-
ported for Georgia.
A Delegation from that State
Sets Forth the Consequent
ceS Of Its Enactment.


Special to the Louisville Courier Journal.
| WASHINGTON, D. c., March 30
The Reconstruction Committee to-day,
by a strict party vote, agreed to report
the Georgia bill offered by Mr.. Butler.
The preamble recites:
THAT, as the Legislature of said State
has refused to purge itself of members
who are such in violation of the four
teehth amendment, and that as major
ity OF the Legislature, in violation of the
Federal constitution and that of the
State and of the fundamental principles
upon which Congress consented to the
restoration of said State, expelled from
the Legislature the qualified members
thereof, on the sole ground that they
were Of African blood, and admitted
thereto other persons not receiving ma
jority of the votes in their places, and
that, in consequence of protection not
| afforded to the lives, liberty and propers
ty of the people, whereby it appears that
the people Of Georgia have not complied
with, or conformed to the terms under
which they were restored; therefore,
Be it enacted, ETC., That the Legis>
latare originally elected, including ne
groes, shall re-assemble, and every per-
son claiming to be electsdsshall subscribe
to oaths of Office prescribed by law for
officers ofthe United States, and by the
constitution and laws Of Georgia; but
members disqualified by the fourteenth !
amendment, whose disabilities have not |
been removed, shall not be admitted but |
shall be regarded as ineligible and false |
swearing may be punished as perjury |
under the United States laws before the /
District Court. The third section de-
clares the expulsion of negro members
void. The fourth section enacts that
those who shall exercise the duties of
any office legislative, judicial, executive,
or administrative being disqualified by
reason of participation in the rebellion
direct of indirect, unless his disabilities
have been removed by Congress, shall on
conviction be punished by Imprisonment
of not less than one year or more than
five, and be forever disqualified FROM
holding any Office of honor or profit under
the laws of the United States.'
The bill also provides for keeping Uni
cuStaIO uUOhS ~ CdIIy LulS ACT lHtO luII |
execution, and military officers shall
respond to the demand of the governor
for aid and assistance in the administers
ton of the government and the protec-
ton of life and property and the admin
of justice in the said State.
The Georgia delegation, headed by Col.
Bryan, formerly of the Federal army,
was heard by the committee on the
Georgia question. Bryan said he OPP
posed this bill and the general policy of
the Radicals in Congress in reference to
the State of Georgia, which, if carried
but, would in his opinion make secord
ireland of the State He said the PEG
pie Of Georgia including Rebels, were we'll
disposed, and desired harmony, but the
nischievous legislation proposed would
not only overthrow the Republican party
IN the State, but drive the people to
desperation, and none could fDretell the
disasters to follow He censured Gov
Bullock, to whom he attributed the de-
eat of the fifteenth amendment in the
Georgia Senate, and added, if unlimited
power was placed in his hands, as pro.
posed by this bill, incalcHlable injury
would be done to the State and country.