Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-24
The Virginia Bill.

The following is the Virginia bill, as
! it passed the Senate:
| ''An Act 20 admit the State of Virginia to
representation in the Congress of the
United States.
"WHEREAs, The people of Virginia
have framed and adopted COnstitu-
ton Of State Government which is
Republican; and
Whereas the Legislature of Nir-
gina, elected under said Constitution,
have ratified the NINth and XVIII
Amendments to the Constitution OF
the United States; and
Whereas, The performance Ofthese
several acts, in good faith, was a con-
dition precedent to the representation
of the State in Congress; therefore,
'Be W enacted, etc., That the said
State of Virginia is entitled to repre-
sentation in the Congress Of the United
States provided, that before any men,
Der of the Legislature of said State
shall take his seat, or any officer of
said State shall enter upon the duties
of his Office, he shall take, and sub
scribe, and file in the Office of the Sec
retary Of State of Virginia, for perma-
nent preservation, an oath in form Of
the following:
"'I, -, do sOlemnly swear that l
have never taken an oath as a men,
Der Of Congress, or rs an officer Of the
United States, or as a member Of any
State Legislature, or is an executive
or judicial officer Of any State, to sup
port the Constitution of the United
States, and afterWaTd engaged in in
surrection or rebellion against the
same, or given aid or comfort to the
enemies thereof; 50 help me God
cor such person shall, in like man-
ner, take, subscribe, and file the fol-
lowing oath:
al, -, do sOlemnly swear that |
have, by act Of Congress of the United
States, been relieved from the disabil-
tiles imposed upon me by the XINth
Amendment of the Constitution of the
United States: so helm me God"
Which oath shall be taken before
and certified by any officer lawfully
authorized to administer Oaths; and
CIV uersOu who shall knowingly
swear falsely in taH;,1,eS- tIaai-,1e- either OF such
oaths, shall be deemed guilty of per-
jury, and shall De punished therefor
by Imprisonment not less than one
year, and not more than ten years,
and shall be fined not less than $1,000
and not more than $4,000, and in all
trials for any violation of this act, the
certificates Of the taking Of either Of
said oaths, with proof of signature of
either by the party accused, shall be
taken and held as conclusive evidence
that such oath was lawfully and regu-
larly administered, by competent au-
thOrity; and provided, 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 such oath, rs aforesaid,
shall be deemed anG taken, To all in
tents and purposes, to have vacated
his Office ana provided, further, that
the State Of Virginia IS admitted to
in Congress upon the
following fundamental conditions:
"That the Constitution Of Virginia
shall never be so amended Is 10 de-
prive any citizen or class Of citizens |
of the United States Of the right to
vote who are entitled TO vote by the |
herein recognized, except /
as a punishment for such crimes as are |
now feiOpOus at common las, whereof |
they shall have been daily convicted I
under laws equally applicable to all I
the inhabitants of said State, provided, /
that any alteration of said COnstitu- /
ton, PsOSCTiptivc in effect, may be I
mada N regard 10 tia.e and place Of F.
residence of voter.
"rhat .t shall never be lawful for |
said State to depIivraay citizen oc the /
United States on account OF his race, I
color, or previous condition OF -erVi- /
.ude, of the right to hold Office under /
the Constitution and laws Of said I
State, on upon amy such ground 10 re-
luire Of him any other qualification
or Office than sl.ch IS are required Of I
all other citizens.
"That the Constitution Of Virginia I
shall never be 50 amended or changed .
rs to deprive any citizen or class Of /
citizens of the United States Of the /
school rights and privileges secured /
Jv the Constitution of said State"