New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-17
Approved, March %, 1870.
IPUBLIc--No. 31.l

=
AN ACT to admit the State Of Texas to
representation in the Congress OF the
United States.
WHEREAS, The people of Texas have
framed and adopted constitution of
State government which is republican; and
whereas the legislature of Texas, elected
under said constitution has ratified the
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution of the United States; and
whereas the performance of these several
acts in good faith is condition precedent
70 the representation of the State in Con-
gress; therefore,
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of. Representatives of the United States OF
America in Congress assembled, That
the said State of Texas is entitled to repre-
sentation in the Congress of the United
States: Provided, That before any member
of the legislature of said State shall take
or resume his seat, or any officer of said
State shall enter upon the duties of
his Office he shall take and subscribe and
file in the Office of the secretary of state of
Texas, for permanent preservation, an
oath or affirmation in the form following:
IL, do solemnly swear Tor
affirm) that l have never taken an oath as
a member of Congress, or as an officer Of
the United States. or as member Of any
State legislature, or as an executive or
judicial officer of any State, to support the
Constitution of the United States, and af-
terward engaged in instruction or rebel |
lion against the same, or given aid or COM
fort to the enemies thereof, SO help me God;"
or under the pains and penalties of perjury,
{as the case may be); or such person shall, |
in like manner, take, subscribe, and file |
the following oath or affirmation: 81,
- -, do solemnly swear Tor |
affirm that l have. by act Of Congress of
the United States, been relieved from the |
disabilities imposed upon me by the four
teenth amendment of the constitution of |
the United States, SO help me God;;" OF
under the pains and penalties of perjury
Gas the case may beg; which oaths or
afirmations shall be taken before, and
certified by, any officer lawfully author
lied to administer oaths. And any per-
son who shall knowingly swear or affirm
falsely in taking either of such oahs or
shall be deemed guilty of
perjury, and shall be punished therefor
by Imprisonment not less than one year,
and not more than ten years, and shall be
fined not less than one thousand dollars
md not more than ten thousand dollars. !
And in all trials for any violation of this /,
act, the certificate of the taking of either .
If said oaths or affirmations, with proof of
he signature of the party accused shall
Do taken and held as conclusive evidence :
hat such oath or affirmation was regularly
md lawfully administered by competent |
authority: And provided further, That {
very such person who shall neglect for
he period of thirty days next after the
Massage of this act to take, subscribe. and
lie such oath or affirmation as aforesaid, a
hall be deemed and taken to all intents
nd purposes to have vacated his office:
And provided further, That the State of
Texas is admitted to representation in
congress as one of the States of the
jnion, upon the following fundamental
onditions: First, that the Constitution o
I Texas shall never be SO amended or A
hanged as to deprive any citizen or class IL
citizens OF the United States of. the b
lSht to vote who are entitled to vote BY a.
ne Constitution herein recognized, EXCEPT Il
punishment Tor such crimes as are now 81
'lonies at common law, whereof they fC
lall have been duly convicted under laws FL
Jually applicable to all the inhabitants hl
said State Provided, That any alttra- IL
on OF said constitution, prospective in lis
fleets, may be made in regard to the time
i'd place of residence of voters Second. =.
hat it shall never be lawful for the id d,
tate to deprive any citizen Of tue United ~
ales on account OF his race, color, or pre- -
GUS condition Of servituGe, of the right =,
hold Office under the constitution and -
WIS of said State, or upon any such .,
'ound to require of him any other quail 80
cations Tor Office than such as are re- =,
Tired OF all other citizens. Third. That ~
e constitution of Texas shall never be a. a.
amended or changed as to deprive any 81
Iizen or class of citizens Of the United ~
ates of the school rights and privileges g;
cured by the constitution of said State. -
March 80, 1870. 70
[PUBLIC-No. 30. ~
!. ACT giving the consent of the United
Dtates to the erection of bridge across an