measures which in effect destroy the states and threaten the subversion of the general government? All that is necessary to settle this simple but important question without further agitation or delay is a willingness on the part of all to sustain the constitution and carry its provisions into practical operation. If tomorrow either branch of congress would declare that upon the presentation of their credentials, members constitutionally elected and loyal to the general government would be admitted to seats in the congress, while all others would be excluded and their places remain vacant until the selection by the people of loyal and qualified persons, and if at the same time assurance were given that this policy would be continued until all the states were represented in congress, it would send a thrill of joy throughout the entire land, as indicating the inauguration of a system which must speedily bring tranquillity to the public mind. While we are legislating upon subjects which are of great importance to the whole people, and which must affect all parts of the country, not only during the life of the present generation, but for ages to come, we should remember that all men are entitled at least to a hearing in the councils which decide upon the destinies of themselves and their children. At present, ten states are denied representation, and when the fortieth congress assembles on the fourth day of the present month sixteen states will be without a voice in the house of representatives. This grave fact, with the important questions before us, should induce us to pause in a course of legislation which, looking solely to the attainment of political ends, fails to consider the rights it transgresses, the law which it violates, or the institutions which it imperils. ANDREW JOHNSON. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The president of the United States having returned to the house of representatives, in which it originated, the bill entitled "An act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel states," with his objections thereto, the house of representatives proceeded, in pursuance of the constitution, to reconsider the same, and Resolved, That the said bill do pass, two-thirds of the house of representatives agreeing to pass the same. Attest: EDWARD MCPHERSON, IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,) The senate having proceeded, in pursuance of the constitution, to reconsider the bill entitled "An act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel states," returned to the house of representa tives by the president of the United States with his objections, and sent by the house of representatives to the senate with the message of the president returning the bill, Resolved, That the bill do pass, two-thirds of the senate agreeing to pass the same. Attest: March 2, 1867. J. W. FORNEY, Secretary of the Senate. (14 U. S. Stats. at Large, 428.) AN ACT Supplementary to an act entitled "An act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel states," passed March second, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, and to facilitate restoration. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America in congress assembled, That before the first day of September, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, the commanding general in each district defined by an act entitled "An act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel states," passed March second, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, shall cause a registration to be made of the male citizens of the United States, twenty-one years of age and upwards, resident in each county or parish in the state or states included in his district, which registration shall include only those persons who are qualified to vote for delegates by the act aforesaid, and who shall have taken and subscribed the following oath or affirmation: "I. do solemnly swear (or affirm), in the presence of Almighty God, that I am a citizen of the state of ; that I have months next preceding this day, and -, or the parish of in said resided in said state for now reside in the county of state (as the case may be); that I am twenty-one years old; that I have not been disfranchised for participating in any rebellion or civil war against the United States, nor for felony committed against the laws of any state or of the United States; that I have never been a member of any state legislature, nor held any executive or judicial office in any state and afterwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof; that I have never taken an oath as a member of congress of the United States, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the constitution of the United States, and afterwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof; that I will faithfully support the constitution and obey the laws of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, encourage others so to do-So help me God;" which oath or affirmation may be administered by any registering officer. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That after the completion of the registration hereby provided for in any state, at such time and places therein as the commanding general shall appoint and direct, of which at least thirty days' public notice shall be given, an election shall be held of delegates to a convention for the purpose of establishing a constitution and civil government for such state loyal to the Union, said convention in each state, except Virginia, to consist of the same number of members as the most numerous branch of the state legislature of such state in the year eighteen hundred and sixty, to be apportioned among the several districts, counties, or parishes of such state by the commanding general, giving to each representation in the ratio of voters registered as aforesaid as nearly as may be. The convention in Virginia shall consist of the same number of members as represented the territory now constituting Virginia in the most numerous branch of the legislature of said state in the year eighteen hundred and sixty, to be apportioned as aforesaid. SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That at said election the registered voters of each state shall vote for or against a convention to form a constitution therefor under this act. Those voting in favor of such a convention shall have written or printed on the ballots by which they vote for delegates, as aforesaid, the words "For a convention," and those voting against such a convention shall have written or printed on such ballots the words "Against a convention." The persons appointed to superintend said election, and to make return of the votes given thereat, as herein provided, shall count and make return of the votes given for and against a convention; and the commanding general to whom the same shall have been returned shall ascertain and declare the total vote in each state for and against a convention. If a majority of the votes given on that question shall be for a convention, then such convention shall be held as hereinafter provided; but if a majority of said votes shall be against a convention, then no such convention shall be held under this act; Provided, that such convention shall not be held unless a majority of all such registered voters shall have voted on the questions of holding such convention. SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the commanding general of each district shall appoint as many boards of registration as may be necessary, consisting of three loyal officers or persons, to make and· complete the registration, superintend the election, and make return to him of the votes, list of voters, and of the persons elected as delegates by a plurality of the votes cast at said election; and upon receiving said returns he shall open the same, ascertain the persons elected as delegates, according to the returns of the officers who conducted said election, and make proclamation thereof; and if a majority of the votes given on that question shall be for a convention, the commanding gen-. eral, within sixty days from the date of election, shall notify the delegates to assemble in convention, at a time and place to be mentioned in the notification, and said convention, when organized, shall proceed to frame a constitution and civil government according to the provisions of this act, and the act to which it is supplementary; and when the same shall have been so framed, said constitution shall be submitted by the convention for ratification to the persons registered under the provisions of this act at an election to be conducted by the officers or persons appointed, or to be appointed by the commanding general, as hereinbefore provided, and to be held after the expiration of thirty days from the date of notice thereof, to be given by said convention; and the returns thereof shall be made to the commanding general of the district. SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That if, according to said returns, the constitution shall be ratified by a majority of the votes of the registered electors qualified as herein specified, cast at said election, at least one-half of all the registered voters voting upon the question of such ratification, the president of the convention shall transmit a copy of the same, duly certified, to the president of the United States, who shall forthwith transmit the same to congress, if then in session, and if not in session, then immediately upon its next assembling; and if it shall moreover appear to congress that the election was one at which all the registered and qualified electors in the state had an opportunity to vote freely, and without restraint, fear, or the influence of fraud, and if the congress shall be satisfied that such constitution meets the approval of a majority of all the qualified electors in the state, and if the said constitution shall be declared by congress to be in conformity with the provisions of the act to which this is supplementary, and the other provisions of said act shall have been complied with, and the said constitution shall be approved by congress, the state shall be declared entitled to representation, and senators and representatives shall be admitted therefrom as therein provided. SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That all elections in the states mentioned in the said "Act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel states," shall, during the operation of said act, be by ballot; and all officers making the said registration of voters, and conducting said elections, shall, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, take and subscribe the oath prescribed by the act approved July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, entitled "An act to prescribe an oath of office;" Provided, that if any person shall knowingly and falsely take and subscribe any oath in this act prescribed, such person so offending, and being thereof duly convicted, shall be subject to the pains, penalties, and disabilities, which by law are provided for the punishment of the crime of willful and corrupt perjury. SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That all expenses incurred by 'the several commanding generals, or by virtue of any orders issued, or appointments made by them, under or by virtue of this act, shall be paid out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the convention for each State shall prescribe the fees, salary, and compensation to be paid to all delegates and other officers and agents herein authorized or necessary to carry into effect the purposes of this act, not herein otherwise pro vided for, and shall provide for the levy and collection of such taxes on the property in such state as may be necessary to pay the same. SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That the word "article," in the sixth section of the act to which this is supplementary, shall be construed to mean "section.” SCHUYLER COLFAX, Speaker of the House of Representatives. President of the Senate pro tempore. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U. S.) March 23, 1867. ( The president of the United States having returned to the house of representatives, in which it originated, the bill entitled "An act supplementary to an act entitled 'An act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel states,' passed March second, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, and to facilitate restoration," with his objections thereto, the house of representatives proceeded, in pursuance of the constitution, to reconsider the same; and Resolved, That the said bill do pass, two-thirds of the house of representatives agreeing to pass the same. Attest: EDWD. MCPHERSON, IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.) The senate having proceeded, in pursuance of the constitution, to reconsider the bill entitled "An act supplementary to an act entitled 'An act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel states,' passed March second, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, and to facilitate restoration," returned to the house of representatives by the president of the United States, with his objections, and sent by the house of representatives to the senate, with the message of the president returning the bill Resolved, That the bill do pass, two-thirds of the senate agreeing to pass the same. Attest: March 23, 1867. J. W. FORNEY, Secretary. (15 U. S. Stats. at Large, 2.) |