The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-11
M I S ST S SIP Pr.
Governor Sharkey on Negro
Testimony.
He Orders it to be Received in
the Civil Courts.
sc. sc. sc.
Our Jackson Correspondence.


JACKSON, Miss Sept. 2s, 1865.
Quiet reigns in this locality present The politicians
are resting their CLAIMS before the dear people who will
decide on Monday the fate Of each The villains
who were recently engaged in shooting negroes for the
FUN Of the thing and stealing cotton because was
the "custom OF the country have subsidized, because
both the fun and the custom have played ont
GOVERNOR sHAnKESs PROCLAMATION,
which appears in the papers this morning, ~ Inc theme
OF conversation and has provoked great deal Of com
ment pro and con. There has been much controversy
both in the public prints and In the barooms where poll
tcians and other loafers " most do congrcgac regard
ing the admission OF negro testimony in courts OF JUS
tice While they all heartily tired and anxious TO
get rid OF the Freedmen Bureau Court before which a
white stood but slim chance, they could not con
sent to the policy of allowing the negro the right Of tes
timony before their civil tribunals, even in cases
where Sambo should be tho plaintiff or de
PENDANT in the suit A few days ago It
became known here that Colonel Thomas A.
sstnt Commissioner for Freedmen for tho state, had
turned the business of his court to the Mayor OF
vicksburg. There great howl raised, and the
Ne,cs Of this city called upon Governor Sharkey 70
pend from Office the aforesaid Mayor for receiving
testimony. The proclamation OF the Governor, how
ever, has put quetus TO the matter and the macon
tents do nothing but grin and bear IT, As The proc
lama'ion explains the matter fully append 1t IT,
LAMAToN.
Executive OFFICE, Jackson, Sept. 25, 1895
BY order bearing dat the 10th inst, Colonel Samuel
Thomas Assistant Commissioner of the Frcedmen's
Bureau in this State proposes to transfer 10 the civil
authorities of the State the right 10 try all
which the rights Of freedmen are involved, either
for injuries done to Their persons or property This
proposition is made however, on condition that "thc
judicial officers aud magistrates of the provisional
government Of the State win take for their mode
procedure the laws in force in this State, except
so far a. those laws make distinction on account Of
color and allow negroes the rights and privileges
accorded TO white before their courts, by
which understand that negroes shall be allowed 10 ties
THY in where their interest IL involved. And be-
evng that the late constitutional amendment which
abolished slavery abolishes all laws which constituted
part of the policy of the system OF slavery and in ds
ciarng that the negro shall be protected in his person
and property establishes principles which or them
selves entie the negro to and be sued and AZ u
necessary incident OF such right, that he smade
pctent witness, according to the laws OF evidence
OF the State Now, therefore, l. William l.. Sharkcy,
Provisional Governor OF Missssippscwith vies Of
curing citizens the rights Of trial before their
officers and under their own laws rither than by
military tlbrnal and by military law, do hereby pro.
claim and make known that all cases civil CRIMINAL
which the rights OF negroes involved, either f0r
injuries done 10 their persons property matters
OF contract the testimony Of negroes be received
subject the law rules Of evidence regards
competency and credblity which prevail In regard ~
white persons And do therefore accept the proposition
of Colonel Samuel Thomas Assistant Commissioner OF
the Frcedmens Bureau Of this State and request thai
those already in existence be closed and instructed
the before them To the civil auihores
and hereby instruct all judicial officers and magistrates
accordingly, until the Legislature shall act upon
this subject
Given under my hand and the great seal OF the state
Affixed, this day and date above written
W. L. SHARKEY,
Provisional Governor OF Mississippi.