Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

THIRTIETH CONGRESS—FIRST SESSION.
H. R. 148.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
January 31, 1848.
Mr. Henley, on leave, introduced the following bill, which was read
twice, and referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.
A BILL
To extend the right of suffrage in the District of Columbia.

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5 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled, That in all elections in the District of Colum-
bia provided for by law, every white male citizen of the
United States, of the age of twenty-one years and up-
wards, who has resided within the District one year im-
mediately preceding such election, shall be entitled to vote
in the ward on which he resides, except such as are enlist-
ed in the army of the United States or their allies.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That nothing in
this act shall be so construed as to exclude persons other-
wise entitled to vote, who have been absent from the Dis-
trict on a visit or necessary business, from the privilege of
electors.

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8 Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That no person
who has been duly convicted of an infamous crime, at any
time previous to an election, shall be permitted to vote
thereat, unless such conviction shall have been reversed
by a court of competent jurisdiction, or unless such per-
son shall have been pardoned by the competent authority,
and by express terms or legal operation of such par-
don, restored to all the rights and privileges of electors.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5	Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in all elections in the District of Colum- bia provided for by law, every white male citizen of the United States, of the age of twenty-one years and up- wards, who has resided within the District one year im- mediately preceding such election, shall be entitled to vote in the ward on which he resides, except such as are enlist- ed in the army of the United States or their allies. Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That nothing in this act shall be so construed as to exclude persons other- wise entitled to vote, who have been absent from the Dis- trict on a visit or necessary business, from the privilege of electors.
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8	Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That no person who has been duly convicted of an infamous crime, at any time previous to an election, shall be permitted to vote thereat, unless such conviction shall have been reversed by a court of competent jurisdiction, or unless such per- son shall have been pardoned by the competent authority, and by express terms or legal operation of such par- don, restored to all the rights and privileges of electors.