Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-01-28
The Virginia Bill.

/ The Virginia bill as it passed the Senate wa.
taken up by the House on Monday and promptly
adopted BY strict party vote. Many of the
Republicans who preferred a different measure
voted for this bill in order to settle the matter
and admit Virginia to representation. The bill,
which We suhjoln, is an awkwarily worded
ordnance. However, it will accomplish the pur-
pose, perhaps and we are glad that the Old
Dominion will now be allowed to resume her
place in the Union. The bill as finally passed
is as follows:
IN -7cf TO admit the State Of p-irginid TO repre-
'enfdiion in the Congres, Of the United
States
Whereas, the people Of Virginia have framed
and adopted Constitution Of State government
which IS Republican and whereas the Legisla-
ture Of Virginia elected under the said Consttu-
ton have ratified the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments to the Constitution of the United
States /; and whereas, the performance Of these
several acts in good faith was a condition prece-
dent to the representation Of the State in Con-
gress;
Therefore, be it enacted, &c, that the State of
virginia Is entitled to representation in the
Congress Of the United States, provided that
before any member of the Legislature Of the said
State shall tase resume his seat, or any officer
Of said State shall enter upon the duties of his
Office, he shall take, subscribe, and file in the
ONCE Of the Secretary of State Of Virginia, for
permanent preservation, an oath, in the form
following
|, do solemnly swear that have never
taken an oath as a member Of Congress, or as an
officer Of the United Ststes, as q member Of anv
Stste Legislature, or an executive or judicial
officer Of any State, to support the Constitution
Of the United States and afterwards engaged in
instruction AMI rebellion against the same, or
given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof, so
help me God.
Or such person shall in like manner take.
subscribe, and file the follo4ing oath
!. -, DO solemnly swear that have by set
Of tie Congress OF the United States been released
from the disabilities imposed upon me by the
Fourteenth Amendment Of the Constitution u
the United States 50 help ne Gel
Which oath shall be taken before and certified
by any officer lawfully authorized 10 administer
oAths, and any person who shall knowingly
swear falsely in taking either Of such oaths shall
be deemed guilty Of perjury, and snail be pun
isaed therefor by Imprisonment for not less than
me year and not more than ten years, and shall
be fined not les. than $1,000 and not more than
$4,000 and i'll all trials for any violation OF
this act, the certificate Of the taxing OF either Of
SAID osths, with proof Of the signature Of either
party accused, shall be taken and held as con-
elusive evidence that such oath was lawfully and
regularly administered by competent authority
and provided further. that every such person
who shall neglect for the period Of thirty days
next after the passage Of this act 70 take. sub
scribe and file such oath as Aforesaid, shall be
deemed and taken 10 all intents and purposes TO
have vacated his office and provided further
that the State Of Virginia is admitted TO repre-
senta-on IL Congress, upon the following funis-
maujal conditions That the Constitution Of Nr-
gina shall never be SO amended or changed as
% deprive any citizen or class OF citizens Of the
United States Of the right to vote who are en-
titled 10 vote hy the constitution herein recog-
nizsd. except az punishment for such crimes
SIS are now fel1nies ST common law whereof they
shall have been duly convicted under the laws
equally applicable to all the inhabitants Of said
safe provided ihat any alteration Of said Con-
stltuti7n prospective in its effects msy be made
10 regard % the time and place a. residence Of
the voters that II shall never he lawful for the
sane State % deprive any citizen Of the United
States, on account Of his race or color or previous
condition Of seryitui-, Of the right 70 bold Office
under the constitution and laws Of said State, or
upon any such ground 20 require OF him Snv
other 9ua,Ih ,ati1u for Office than such required
q ST other citizens that the constitution Of
Virginia shall never be so amended or changed
as 10 deprive any citizen or clAss Of citizens Of
The uited States Of the school r ghi. and priv
eyes secured by the constitution Of saii State.