The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1870-01-28
VIRGINIA BILL.

The following is the bill to admit
Virginia as finally adopted by beth
Houses
An &C. TO admit the State of Virginia
to representation in Congress- of the
United States.
Whereas, the people of Virginia have
framed and adopted a Constitution of
State Government, which is republican;
and whereas the Legislature of Virgin
ia elected under SAID Constitution have
ratified the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments to the Constitution OF
the U. s., and whereas the perfor-
nance of the sc several acts in good
faith was condition precedent to the
representation of the State i'll Con-
gress; therefore
Be it enacted, Sc, That the said
State OF Virginia is entitled to repre-
ser tation in the Congress of the u. S.;
Provided, That before any member
of the Legislature OF said State shall
AXE or re sumo his seat, or any officer
OF said State shall enter upon the du-
ties of his office, he shall take and sub
scribe and file in the office of the Sec
rotary of State of Virginia for perma-
| nent preservation, an oath In the form
following:
II, -, do solemny swear that
have never taken an oath as member
of Congress or as an officer of the u. s.,
or as member of any State llegisla-
tnre or as an Executive or judicial OIL
! ficer of any State, to support the Con-
stitution OF the u. S.. and afterwards
engage in lusurrection or rebellion a.
gainst the same, or gave aid or comfort
to the enemies thereof, so help me
God"
Or such person shall in like manner
take, subscribe and file the following
oath
~. -, do solemdy swear that |
have by act of Congress of the United
States, been relieved from the disabil-
ties imposed upon me by the Four
seenth Amendment OF the Constitution
OF the United States, so help me God. y
| Which oath shall be taken before and
certified BY an officer lawfully author
| lied to administer oaths. And any
person who shall knowingly swear
falsely in taking either OF such oaths
shall be deemed guilty OF perjury, and
shall be punished therefor by imprison-
meat not less than one year and not
mere than ten years, and shall be fined
not less than one thousand dollars, nor
| in ali trials for any violation OF this act
the certificate ofthe taking OF either OF
the said oaths. with proof OF the sigma
ture OF the party accused shall be taken
and held as conclusive evidence that
such oaths was lawfully and regularly
administered by eompe tent authority.
That every person who shall neglect
| for the period of thirty days next alter
the passage of this act to take, sub
scribe and file such oath as aforesaid,
/ shall be deemed and taken to all in
tents and purposes to have vacated his
! office.
That the State of Virginia is admit
ed to representation in Congress upon
the following fundamental conditions /;
That the Constitution OF Virginia
shall never be so amended or changed
as to deprive any citizen or class OF
citizens OF the U. s.. of the right to
vote who are entitled to vole by the
Constitution herein recognized except
as punishment for such crimes as are
now falonies at common law, whereof
| they shall have been duly convinced
under laws equally applicable to all
the inhabitants OF said State; provided
that any alteration of said Constitu-
ton prospective In its effects may be
made In regard to the time and place
of residence of voters.
That it shall never be lawful for said
State to deprive any citizen of the Z.
S., OH account OF race, color or preyi-
ous condition of servitude, of the right
to hold oilice under the Constitution
and laws of said State, or upon any
such ground, to require of him any
other qualification for office than such
as is required of all other citizens.
That the Constitution of Virginia
shall never be so amended or changed
as to deprive any citizen or class of
citizens of the u S. of the school rights
and privileges secured by the Consti-
| tuition of SAID State.