Year: 1870

I ut SJ tnS
| Senate.


The following is the Virginia bill as
il passed the Senate:


An Act to admit the State of Virginia to


representation in the Congress of the


United States.


WHEREAS, The people of Virginia
have framed and adopted Constitution
of State government which is Rspubli
can; and whereas, the Legislature OF
Virginia, elected under said COnstitu-
tion, have ratified the Fourteenth and
Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitu-
tion of the United States; and whereas,
the performance Of these several acts in
good faith was a condition precedent TO
the representation of the State in Con.
gress; therefore,


Be 1t enacted, &c, That the said State
of Virginia is entitled 10 representation
in the Congress of the United States;
provided, 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 discharge of
his office, he shall take and subscribe
and file in the office of the Secretary Of
State of Virginia, for permanent pres
ervatioD, an oath in the form following:
81 - do solemnly swear that | have
never taken an oath as a member of
| Congress or as an officer of the
United States, or as a member
of any State Legislature, or an execu-
tive or judicial officer Of any State, to
support the Constitution of the United
States and afterwards engaged in insur-
rection or rebellion against the same,
or given aid or comfort 10 the enemies
thereof, so help me God;" or such per-
son shall in like manner take, subscribe
and file the following oath: 81, -,
do solemnly swear that have, by act
of Congress of the United States been
relieved from the disabilities imposed
upon me by the Fourteenth Amend
ment of the Constitution of the
United States, so help me God,"
which oath shall be taken before and
certified by any officer lawfully author.
lied to administer oaths; and any per-
son who shall knowingly swear falsely
in taking either of such oaths shall be
deemed guilty of perjury, and shall be
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 certificate Of taking Of either of
said oaths with proof of signature Of
either party accused shall be taken and
held as conclusive evidence that such
oath was lawfully and regularly admin
istored by competent authority. And
providing further, that every such per.
son who shall neglect for period OF
thirty days next after the passage OF
this act to take, subscribe and file such
oath as aforesaid, shall be deemed and
taken to all intents and purposes to have
vacated his office; and provided further,
that the State of Virginia is admitted
to representation in Congress upon the
following fundamental conditions: That
tho Constitution of Virginia shall
never be so amended or changed
as to deprive any citizen er
class of citizens of the United
States of the right to vote who are en-
titled to vote by the Constitution herein
recognized, except as punishment for
such crimes as are now folOnies at com
mon law, whereof they shall have been
duly convicted under laws equally ap.
plicable to all tho inhabitants OF said
State; provided, that any alteration of
said Constitution prospective in its ef-
ftcts may be made IN regard 10 tiH'o
and place of residence of voters; that
IT, shall never be lawful for the same
State to deprive any citizen ofthe United
States, on account of his race, color or
previous condition Of servitude, of the
right to hold office under the constitu.
ton and laws of said State, or upon any
such grounds to require Of him any
other qualification for office than such
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
United States of the school rights and
privileges secured by the constitution
Of said State