An amendment to the Constitution of the United States that granted citizenship and equal rights, both civil and legal, to Black Americans, including those who had been emancipated by the thirteenth amendment.
A special joint committee made up of nine members from the House of Representatives six members of the Senate. This committee was formed to inquire into the condition of the states in rebellion.
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The Joint Committee meets; the Sub-committee on Apportionment of Representation and Constitutional Amendment report three propositions; the propositions are divided and the Joint Committee agree to report Article B to the House and Senate as S. Res. 22 and H. Res. 51; leave is granted to submit a minority report.
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, which, when they, or either of them, shall be ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, shall be valid as part of said Constitution; viz:
Article A.
Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States within this Union, according to
the respective numbers of citizens of the United States in each State; and all provisions in the Constitution or laws of any State, whereby any distinction is made in political or civil rights or privileges, on account of race, creed or color, shall be inoperative and void.
Or the following:
Article B.
Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of citizens of the United States in each State; provided that, whenever the elective franchise shall be denied or abridged in any State on account of race, creed or color, all persons of such race, creed or color, shall be excluded from the basis of representation.
Article C.
Congress shall have power to make all laws necessary and proper to secure to all citizens of the United States, in every State, the same political rights and privileges; and to all persons in every State equal protection in the enjoyment of life, liberty and property.