Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-01-25

- 'Na~@NaA ~ ataAt "
lngar copies:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
MONTGOMERY, ALA, jan Is, 1885.
To the Senate;
On the fifteenth day of December.
eighteen hundred and sixty-fve, a bill
was placed in nv hands, which origina-
ted in the Senate, of the following title
"A bill to be entitled an act to regulate
contracts with freedmen and to enforce
the same" The bill came int my pos
session Just as 5he Legislature was adj
jOuTning for a recess of one month. II
was, therefore, -impracticable at that
time for me to return the bill 10 the Sem
ate with the reasons which induced me
to withhold my approval from il.
1t cannot be denied that we are forced
to many experiments in dealing with the
negroes in their new condition. But 1
am decidedly on the opinion that no spe-
cial law is necessary for regulating con-
tracts with them. The bill makes gene
raj provisions for contracts between
whites and freedmen, which are differ
ent from the common law as ordinary
rules on the subject. The constitutional
right Of the Legislature 10 pass such an
act is u%ndoubted. But considerations of
law and policy should be carefully
weighed before a law OF this kind IS
placed upon the statute book,
The negroes always had their natural
rights, While they We're in slavery
those rights We're protected and main
taind by their masters but now they
are free, they can look 10 the law alone
for the protection of their persons and
property. For this protection, do not
think that discriminating laws are nee
essary.
In celebrating upon a subject Of this
character, we may properly take into
consideration facts and events now ac-
tUaNy occurring. Information from vari-
Gus parts of the State shows that the
negroes are everywhere making com
tracts for the present year upon
terms that are entirely satisfac-
tory 20 the employers. They are
also entering faithfully upon the dis
charge % the obligations contracted.
There IS every prospect that the engage
ment formed will be observed with per-
feet good faith. ! therefore think that
special laws for regulating contracts be-
tween whites and freedmen would. ac-
compiish no good, and might result in
much harm.
With every possible respect for Tue
Department, I consider it a
duty, under all the circumstances, to re-
turn the bill to the Senate without NV
approval.
r. ri PATTON.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
70 The Senate:
The sixteenthsectio ofthe fftfeth arti-
cleO of the Constitution Of Alabama, pro-
viAes that every bill which passes The
two Houses of the Legislature shall he
presented to the Governor for his an
lroval or disapproval. Il is made lie
iuty of the Governor, If ne disapproves
bill 70 return it, with his objection. to
he House in which it originated. In
4Gr thls clause of the Constitution. I am
constrained 10 return TO the Senate
without my approval, the bill To extend
he criminal laws Of this State, applica- !
20 free persons Of color, to freedmen. |
rec negroes and mulattoes,''
THIS bill proposes 30 apply to the freed
nen q system of laws enacted for the
government Of free negroes residing in a
community where slavery existed, I
carefully examined the laws which. 4
.nder this bill would be applied to the
reedmepi and / think that "a mere reci-
al OF some Of their provisions will show
he ImpOlicy and Injustice of enforcinq
hem upon the negroes in this now con-
ition,
Section 1882, of the Code, imprisons in
he D-enitentary for two wears. every
zee negro who comes into the State, and
he does not leave the State when
sleased, he is to be Imprisoned for five
cara.
Section 1885 provides for the punish
lent of free negroes for being present
assemhlage of slaves. This 0ffense,
course, cannot now be committed, as
,ere are no slaves IN the State.
SECTION 1895 provides that for retailing
liquor, free negroes will be
finished with stripes.
Section lO4O prescribes that every free
of the State who may be confined
the penitentiary, shall leave the state
)on ms release. or be liable to auotber
.ntence Of confinement FOR TWENTY-FIVE
-ars. :
Section l044 prescribes punishment for !
cry Tree negro who breaches 10 fyoe Z
ssroes except IN the presence Of 1--we :
aVehOidels. h
section 32s7 Furnishes every person who b
nploys a free negro in drawing Off an y
ling liquor n
'etllon p7ohiotts any one from en- /
o}hig the free negroes 10 sample cotton. il
should this bill become a law. all Of :
statutes wsuld be made applicable :
tle coi9red population Of tue state.
ME slavery existed those laws were
pess4ry and proper, but I think that
necessity for such statutes ceaged
.lh Jhe extinction Of the institution. n
wei! known to rs tia. during the
81 l9bF ysais, a large number
negroes left the State. Many of
EN- are returning and seeking emnIov-
ent with their former owners. Fbeir
Dor Is greatly needed by land owners
q they should be encouraged 10 NJ tiSn
.her la2a be punished for it. Bnt + a
IS phi were passed into a law. ans - D.
"a one thousand and .hirty-three oftbo
enforced, every returning freejnaee q,
'uld be liable 10 Confinement n In D
litenuary for Two years. and avn N.Y. !,
= rom the State w6ea released. y,
VI sHc3 Ftsgts as these, I deem il la
.q,$ 70 Withhold my approval from
Z ~ u urnnar al