Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1869 — The New Reconstruction Act. [ARTICLE]

The New Reconstruction Act.

The following is the act authorizing the submisson of the Constitution of the States of Virginia, Mississippi 3nd Texas, to a vote of the f>cop!e, as signed by the president: Be it enacted, <fcc., That the president of the United States, at such time as he may deem best for the public interest, may submit the constitution which was framed by the convention which met in Richmond, Va., on Tuesday, the 3d day of December, 1867, to the registered voters of said State, registered at the date of said submission, for ratification or rejection, and be may also submit to a separate vote such provisions of said.constitution as he may deem best —such vote to be taken cither upon each of the said provisions nldue, or in connection with tl)e other portions of said constitution, as the president may direct Sec. 2. That at the same election the voters of said Stale may vote to elect members of the general assembly of said State, and all theoflicers of said State provided for by the said constitution, and members of congress; and the officer commanding! the district of Virginia shall cause the lists of registered voters of said Stale to bo revised, enlarged, and corrected, prior to such election, according to law; aud foi* that purpose lie may appoint such registers as lie may deem necessary; and said elections shall be held, and a return thereof made, in the manner provided by the acts of congress, commonly called the reconstruction acts. Sec. 3 That the president of the United States may, in like manner, submit the constitution of Texas to the voters of said State, at sucli time, and in such manner, as he may direct—either the entire constitution, or separate provisions of the same, as provided in the first section of this aot, to a separate rote, and at the Mine election the voters may vote tap and elect the members of the legislature, and aH the State officers, provided for in said constitution, am! members of congress; provided, also, that no election shall be held in pH id State of Texas for tfiiv purpose until the president sodirOff.

IT Fee. 4. That tho president of the , United States may, in like manner, a* rtiny become expedient, direct eir . ther the constitution,) or separate 1 provisions ol the saijje, as provided } ip the first section of this act, to be | submitted to a separate State deci lion, in the Slnte of Mississippi, and | at the same election voters may vote for and elect the members of the ; legislature, and all the State officers | provided lor in said constitution, I and members of congress. Skc. 5. That if either of said con--1 slitutions shall he ratified at such j eleOtkm, the legislature of the Slate, so elected as provided in this act, l shall assemble at tho cnpitol of. said J Statin on tin* fourtli Tuesday after | the official promulgation of such. 1 ratification by the military officer ! commanding in said State, j Skc. 6. That before the States of i Virginia, .Mississippi, and Texas | shall be admitted to a representation |in congress, their several logijsla- ’ ttires, which may bo hereafter Ist- ! fully organized, slyill ratify the fif- ’ teenth article which has been pro- | posed bv congress to the several ! Statekus nn amendment to the conj ?titntion.of the United States. FkC. 7. That the proceedings in ’ any bl the said States shall not lie 1 deemed final, nor operate as a complete restoration of the same, until |Jieir action,* respectively, shall he approved hy congress.