Evening star., 1870-02-09
pproved, January 21, 1870.
lPUELIC-NO. 81

IL ". ..
AN ACT to admit the State of Virginia to repre-
sentatiOn in the Congress of the United States.
Whereas the people of Virginia have framed
anu ADOPTED Constltution OF State government
ture of Virginia, elected under said Constitu-
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 1T enacted 6y the Senate and House of Repre-
ssntatires Of the United States of America in Con-
gTeSs assembled, That the said State OF Virginia
is entitled to representation in the Congress of
the United States: Pr0rided, 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 Virginia, for perma-
nent preservation, an oath III the form following:
81, - -, do sOlemnly swear that 1 have
never taken an oath as a member of Congress,
an officer OF the United States or as a
member Of any State Legislature, or as an Exc
cutive or judicial officer OF any State, to sup
port the Constitution OF the United States, and
afterward engaged in insurrection or rebel
lion against the same, or given aid or comfort
To the enemies thereof, so help me God;"
or snSh person A shall in like manner take, sub
-. do sOlemnly swear that have, by act OF
Congress of the United States, been relieved
from the disabilities imposed upon me by the
fourteenth amendment of the Constitution OF
the United States, so help me Cod" which oaths
shall be taken before and certified by any officer
Authorized TO administer Oaths. And any per-
son who shall know Ingly swear falsely in taking
either of such oaths shall he deemed guilty of
perjury, and shall be punished therefor by i'm
priSOnment not less than one year, and not
more than ten years and shall be fined not less
than ono thousand dollars, and not more than
ten thousand dollars. And in all trials for any
violation OF this act the certificate of the taking
of either OF said oaths, with proof of the
signature of the party accused, shall be
takeI; and held conclusive evidence
that such oath was regularly and law
fully administered by competent authority:
Aad pTOrifed further, That every such person
who shall neglect for the period OF thirty DAYS
next after the passage of this act TO take, sub
scribe. and file sucn oath aforesaid, shall be
deemed and taken, to all intents and purposes
TO have vacated his Office: And prorided further
That the State of Virginia is admitted to repre-
SeDtat:On in Congress as one OF the States of the
Union upon the following fundamental cOndi-
ti0nS: First, That the Constitution of Virginia
shall never be 80 amended or changed as to de-
prive any citizen or class of citiZen. of the
United States OF the right to vC te w1ao are en-
titled TO vote by the CONSTITUTE herein recog-
nized, except as punishInen iJr such crimes
as now felonies at common law, whereof
they shall have been duly convicted under laws
equally applicable to all the inhabitants OF said
State: Prouided, That any alteration of said Con-
stitution, prospective III its effects, NAV be made
in regard TO the time and place of residence of
voters. Second, That it shall never be lawful
for the said State to deprive any citizen OF the
United States, on account of his race, color, or
previous condition OF servitude, OF the right to
hold ofiice under the constitution and laws of
said State, OF upon any such ground to require
such are required OF all other citizens. Third
That the constitution of Virginia shall never be
40 amended or changed as TO deprive any citi-
zen or class of citizens of the United States of
the school rights and privileges secured by the
constitution of said State.
Approved, January %, 1s10.