The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-02-09
Ihe South aDesterll,
The Senate Virginia Bill.

Lie 0cudbC wig hA% 1919
The following is the bill it passed the Senate. Ut
course as the New Orleans Times says, the terms OF
admission are sufficiently stringent and iiberal to suit
the prevailing sentiment Of the Radical party; but
upon the score of removing one more disturbing pol
cal element and of displaying disposition upon the
part of Congress let 60 old dead Issues whose
eorpses they have been continuously parading before
disguised people, it is certainly for general con
graduation. Enlightenment and common sense must
naturally in the course of few years. free Virginia
FROM the shnckles and impedments with which she is
hampered and she can afford to wait in patience the
dawn of those better days:
AN ACT to Admit the State Of Virginia to Represen-
tation in the Congress of the United States T.,
Whereas, The people of Virginia have framed and
adopted Constitution of State government which Is
republican; and
Whe, cas- The Legislature of Virginia, elected under
said Constitution has ratified the Fourteenth and Fiji
teenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United
States and
Whereas, The performance of the several acts in
good faith a condition precedent to representation
OF the State in Congress; therefore
Be 1t enacted etc. That the said State of Virginia IS
entitled to representation in the Congress of the Uni
ted States Progided 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 perna-
nent preservation, oath in the form following:
81 do solemnly swear that have never taken an
oath as a member of Congress, officer OF the
United States member of any State Legislature,
or executive judicial officer OF any State to sup
port the Constitution of the United States and alter
wards engaged in nsurrection rebellion against the
same given aid comfort to the enemies thereof
80 help me God"
Or such person shall, in like Manner take, subscribe
and file the following oath
al, - do solemnly swear that have by act of
the United States been relieved from the disabilities
imposed upon me by the fourteenth amendment of the
Constitution of the United States, help Cod"
Which oath shall be taken before and certified by
an officer lawfully authorized to administer oaths and
any person who shall knowingly swear falsely in taking
either of such oaths, shall be deemed guilty of PERU
ry and shall be punished therefor by Imprisonment
not less than year and not more than ten years.
and shall be fined less than 81 900 and not more
than $40 900 and all trials for any violation of this
act the certificates of taking of either of said oahs
with proof of signature of either party accused shall
be taken and held conclusive evidence that such
oath was lawfully and regularly Administered by
peteDt authority.
And provided further, That every such person who
shall neglect for period of thirty days next after the
passage of the act to take, subscribe and file such
anu taken 10 all IN
tents and purposes to have vacated his office And
provided FURTHER That the State of Virginia is admit
ted to representation in Congress upon the following
fundamental conditions: That the Constitution Of
Virginia shall be so amended or changed as to
deprive any citizen class of citizens of the Urited
States of the right to vote, who entitled to vote by
the Constitution herein recognized, except punish
ment for such crimes felonies at common
law whereof they shall have been duly convicted I'M
der laws equally applicable to all the inhabitants of
said State: ProVided, That any alteration of said
Constitution, proscrptve in its effects, may be made
in regard to the time and place of residence of voters
That it shall be lawful for said State to deprive
any citizen of the United States of bis race
color previous condition of servitude 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 such is required of
all other citizens; that the Constitution of Virginia
shall never be so amended changed as to deprive
any citizen class of citizens of the United States of
the school rights and privileges secured by the Consti
tuition of said State.