The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-08-01

ment. aud influence Us to abstain from all
legislation that would unnecessarily in
crease the public indebtedness. Tested
by this rule Of sound political wisdom. I
can see no reason for the establishment Of
the military jurisdiction" conferred upon
the officials Of the Bureau BY the fourteg gn,h
section Of the bill.
BY the laws Of the United States, and Of
the different States. competent courts. Fe.
deral and State. have been established and
are now in full practical operation. By
means Of these civil tribunals ample redress
is afforded for all private wrongs, whether
to the person or the property Of the citizen.
without denial or unnece ssary delay. They
are open to all. without regard to color OF
race. feel well assured that il will be
better to trust the rights. privileges, and
immunitiss Of the citizen 10 tribunals thu,
established. and presided over by CONNIE.
tent and impartial judges, bound by fsed
rules Of Law and evidence. and where ,hs
right Of trial BY jury 10 guaranteed and &c.
cured, than TO the caprice and judgment q
an officer Of the Bureau, Who. il is possible
may be entirely ignorant Of the principle,
that underlle The just administrator or Inc
Law. There 10 danger. too. tha, eonfiict 3
jurisdiction will frequently arise between
the civil courts and these military tribu.
nails. each having concurrent jurisdiction
over the person and the cause of action
the one judlcature administered and con.
trslled BY civil Law. the other by the mill
tary. How is the conflict to be settled
and who is 10 determine between the tw,
tribunals when Il srisess In my opinios
il is wise TO guard against such conflict b,
leaving to the courts and jur,es the pro,e 6
tiou Of oil civil rights aud the redress Of Il
civil grievances.
The fsctcannot be denied. that since IN,
actual cessation of hoslilities many ac,s D
violence-such perhaps IS had never beer
witnessed IN their previous history --hay,
occurred 10 the States involved in the re
cent rebellion. l believe. however. IN,
public sentiment will sustain me in the as
sertIoa that such deeds Of wrong are no
confined TO any particular state or section
bot are manifested oser the entire countr,
-demonslrating that the causs that pro
dueed them does not depend upon sny par
ticular locality, but is the resnl, Of the agi
tation aud derange ment incident 10 Ion,
and bloody civil war. While the 'preva
lence Of such disorder must be greatly de
plored. their occasional and temporary oc
currencc would seem 70 furnish no neces
sity for sst :, .ension Of the Bureau beyon,
the period liked in the original act. Be
sides the objections which lh,ve thus briei
ly stated, L may urge upon your considera
ton the additional reason. that recent de
yelopments in regard 70 the practical ope
ratlons sf the Bureau in many Of the State
show that 10 numerous instances il is use
| BY ITS agents as means Of promoting ,hei
individual advantage and that the freed
men are employed for the advancement
the personal ends Of the officers. instead ,
their own improvement and wellare-thu
confirming the fears originally entertaine
by many that the continuation of such
Bureau for any unnecessary length Of tin
would inevitably result in fraud. corruF
ton. and oppression.
II Ii proper 20 state that in cases Of hi
charseter investigations have been promp
! y ordered. and the offender punishe
, whenever his guilt has been satisfactoril
! established. As another reason again.
the necessity Of the legislation eontempll
, cd by this measure. reference may be hs
! 10 the I" Civil Rights Bill." now Law
the land. and which will be faithfully eK,
r cuted as long as il shall r,mais unrepes
! ed. and may not be declared uncenstitl
> iisnal BY courts Of competent jurissictisl
2 Ny that act. il tis enacted "that all persoI
!. born 10 the United States and not subje,
]. to any foreign power, eIclsding Indiar
e not taxed. are hereby declared to be cit
{ zsns oi the United States; and such cii
G zens Of every race and csior. without z,
gard to any previous condition Of slsve'