Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-01-31
The Virginia Admission Bill.


The following Is the Ball passed. by both
Houses Of Congress for the Admission OF yir-
GINA:
An act to admit the State Of lirginiato rep
resentation in the Congress Of tie United
States.
Whereas, The people Of Virginia have franz
Ell and adopted a Constitution OF State govern
msut, which IS Republican, and whereas, the
Legislature Of Virginia elected under said con-
stituticn have rsti6e,l the Fourteenth and Ef-
tenth Amendments TO the Constitution Of the
United States; and whereas, the Performance
Of these several acts in good faith was condi-
ton precedent to the representation Of the
State in Congress; therefore,
BE il enacted, Sc, That the said State Of
Virginia is entitled to representation in the
I Congress OF the United States provided, that
before any member Of the Legislature Of said
State shall take or resume his seat, CT any off,
Ger Of said State shall enter upon the duties Of
his Office. he shall take and subscribe aud file
in the Office Of the Secretary Of the State Of
Virginia for permanent preservation an oath
in the form following:
l. a
er taken an cath as a member of Congress, or
as an officer Of the United States, or as a Nom
Der OF any State Legislature, or as an executive
or judicial officer Of any State, to support the
7 Constitution Of the United States, and alter
wards engaged in instruction or rebellion
I against the same or given aid or comfort 10
4 the enemies thereof So help ne God
Or such person shall, in Ike manner. take,
subscribe and file the following oath:
Il. do solemnly swear that have, by
act Of Congress Of the United States, been re-
lieved from the disabilities imposed upon me
by the Fourteenth Amendment Of the Consti-
! tuition Of the United States SOhelp me God.
/ Which oath shall be taken before and certified
by any officer, lawfully authorized to adminis-
/ ter oathS And any person who shall know
/ ingly swear falsely in taking either OF such
/ oathS. shall be deemed guilty Of perjury, and
shall be punished therefor by imprisonment
not less than one year and not more than ten
wears. and shall be fined not less than one thou
I sand dollars and not more than ten thousand
dollars. And in all trials for any violation Of
I this act the certificate Of the taking Of either
of said oaths, with proof of the signature of
/ the party accused shall be taken and bel as
conclusive evidence that such oath was lawfully
and regularly administered by competent au-
thoritv.
And provide further, That every such per-
son who shall neglect, for the period Of thirty
DAYS next after the passage Of this act, 10 take
subscribe and filc such oath as aforesaid, shall
be deemed and taken, to all intents and pur-
poses. TO have vacated his Office.
And provided further That the State Of
Virginia is admitted TO representation in Con-
gress, upon the following fundamental condi-
tons:
That the Constitution OF Virginia shall never
be so amended or changed as to deprive any
citizen. or class Of citizens, OF the United States
Of the night 10 vote who are entitled to vote by
the Constitution herein recognized, except as
punishment for such crimes as are now felonieS
at common law, whereof they shall have been
duly convicted under laws equally applicable
10 an the inhabitants Of said State provided,
tha, any alteration Of said Constitution, pro-
spective in its effects nav be made in regard
to time and place Of residence Of voters.
That it shall never be lawful for the said
State to deprive any citizen Of the United
States. on account of race, color. or previous
condition Of servitude &c, of the right to hold
Office under the Constitution and laws OF said
State or upon any such ground, to require Of
him any other qualification for Office than srch
a, required Of all other citizens.
That the Constitution Of Virginia shall never
he so amended OF changed as TO deprive any
citizen. OF class Of citizens, Of the United
States Of the school rights and privileges Sc
cured by the Constitution Of said State.