North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-07-25


by jury is guaranteed and secured, than to
the caprice or judgment of an officer of the
Bureau, who, it is possible, may be entire.
ly ignorant of the principles that underlie
the Just administration of the law. There
is danger, TOO. that conflict of jurisdiction
will frequently arise between the civil
courts and these military tribunals. each
having concurrent Jurisdiction over the
person and the cause of action the one
jurisdiction administered and controlled by
civil law, and the other by military. How
is the conflict to be settled, and who is to
determine between the two tribunals when
it arises? In my opinion, it 10 wise to
guard against such conflict, by leaving to
the courts and juries the protection of all
civil rights and the redress of all civil griev-
ances. The fact cannot be denied that
since the actual cessation of hostilities, ma
nv acts of violence, such, perhape, as had
never been witnessed in their previous his
tory, have occurred in the States involved
in the recent rebellion. believe, howev.
er, that public sentiment will sustain me in
the assertion that such deeds of wrong are
not confined to any particular State or sec
ton, but are manifested over the entire
country, demonstrating that the cause that
produced them does not depend upon any
particular locality, but is the result of the
agitation and arrangement incident to a
long and bloody war. While the prevalence
of such disorders must be greatly deplored,
their occasional and temporary recurrence
would seem to furnish no necessity for the
extension of the Bureau beyond the period
fixed on the original act. Besides the OBJ
jections have thus briefly stated, / may
urge upon your consideration the addition,
al reason that recent Developments in re-
gard to the practical operations of the Blu
reau IN many Of the States show that in
numerous instances it is used by its agents
as a means of promoting their individual
advantage, and that the freedmen are en-
ployed for the advancement of the person
al ends of the officers. instead of their own
improvement aud welfare; thus confirming
the fears originally entertained by many,
that the continuation of such bnreau for
any unnecessary length of time would inev-
itably result in fraud, corruption, and op-
preston. 1t is proper 10 state that in cases
of this character, investigations have been
promptly ordered, and the offender punish.
ed whenever his guilt has been satisfactori-
ly established.
As another reason against the necessity
ofthe legislation contemplated by this meas
ure, reference may be had to the Civil
Rights bill, now law Of the land, and
which will be faithfully executed so long
as it shall remain unrepealed, and not be
declared unconstitutional by courts Of COM
petert jurisdiction. By that act it is enact
ed "That all persons born in the United
States, and not subject to any foreign pow
er-exclnding Indians, not taxed-are here
by declared to be citizens of the United
States and such citizens of every race and
color, without regard to any previous con-
dition OF slavery, or involuntary servitude,
except as punishment for crime, whereof
the party shall have been duly convicted,
shall have the same right in every State
and Territory in the United States, to make
and enforce contracts, to sue, be parties
and give evidence. to inherit, purchase,
lease. sell, hold, and convey, real and pei
sonal property, and to full and equal benefit
of all laws and proceedings for the security
of person and property as is enjoyed by
white citizens; and shall be subject to like
punishment, pains, and penalties, and to
none other, any law, statute, ordinance, reg
ulation, or custom, to the contrary notwith-
Standing" By the provisions of the act,
full protection is afforded through the Dis
trict Courts of the United States to all per-
sons injured, and whose privileges, as thus
declared. are in any way impaired. and
very heavy penalties, are denounced against
the person who willfully violates the law. I
need not state that that law did not receive
my approval, yet its remedies are far more
feasible than those proposed in the present
bill, the one being civil and the other mill
tary.
By the sixth section of the oil herewith
returned, certain proceedings, by which
the lands in the Parishes of St Helena and
St. Luke, South Carolina. were sold and
bid in, and afterwards disposed Of by the
Tag Commissioners, are confirmed and rat
fed. BY the seventh, eight, ninth, tenth,
and eleventh sections, provisions are made
by law fo. the disposal of the lands thus &C.
quired to particular class of citizens
While the quieting of titles is deemed very
important and desirable, the discrimination
made 10 the bill seems Objectionable, as
does also the attempt to confer upon the
Commissioners judicial powers, by which
citizens of the United States are to be de-
prived of their property in mode contrary
to that of the Constitution, which declares
that no person shall be deprived Of life, lib
erty, or property with due process of law.
As general principle, such legislation IS
unsafe, unwise, partial, Land unconstitutional.
1t may deprive persons of their liberty who
are equally deserving objects ofthe nation ,
bounty as those whom, by this legislation,
Congress seeks to benefit. The title to
the land thus to be proportioned out to a
Eavored class of citiRens must Aenend unon