The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-14
-ALABAM n.

Meeting OF the Legtslature-Abstract of
Governor PatCOn's Annual Message
Laws for the Relief of Debtors and
Creditors PrOpOsed-GeneraIG Good Be-
hRviOr OF the Freedmen-They Need
Further Protection In the Matter Of
Contracts The Governors Arguments
Against the Constitutional Amend
ment, Etc.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, November I3.-The
Alabama Legislature met to-day. Governor
Patton's message is mild and free from the OBJ
jectionable eDithets which have characterized
several similar documents from other Southern
Executives.
LAWS FOR THE RELIEF OF DEBTORS.
He recommends, as a relief for debtors, a law
under which the creditor can collect annually
tie interest and portion of the principal OF his
clam and argues that nothing is more definitely
settled than that state has the rlght TO regu-
late the proceedings OF Its own Courts in regard
10 the enforcement of contracts. Remedies for
this purpose may be made applicable to past
contracts as well as to those OF the future. He
further SAYS that 1t would be as competent for
the LEGISLATURE to prohlbit p preferred and eX.
elusive lien under a judgment, as it would be to
prohibit preference in the assignment Of pro-
perty for the benefit of single creditor.
BEHAVIOR AND TROUBLES OF THE FREEDMEN.
He is of the opinion tnat the freedmen rene.
rally are entitled to credit for good behavior
IN referring to contracts with them, he SAYS
mere have been some exceptional instances of
' uau laitn' Wnicn @ are strongly suggestive of the
are where employers of freedmen have by can
tious unreasoIableness, sought and even created
preteXts for finding fault with their employees,
ana dlscharglng them without pay, alleging a
violation OF contract on the part OF the freed
men. The only remedy LETT the freedman is a
snt Tor his wages, and this is so tardy as to be
scarcely wortn pushing. He is pleased with the
experiment OF admitting colored testimony, and
recommends removal of all restrictions in
that particular. He also recommends that n
portion OF the poll or capitation tax collected
from freedmen be appropriated for the educa
ton of coloIed children.
THE AMENDMENT OPPOSED.
Regarding the Constitutional amendment. he
opposes the first section because it gives enlarged
Judicial powers to the general Government
such as would not only overshadog v and weaken
the authority and influence OF the State Courts
bat might possibly reduce them to complete
nnlltty. 1t would give to the United States
Courts complete and unlimited jurisdiction over
however trivial, which could arise under State
laws. Every individual dissatisfied with the
decision OF State Court might apply to a Fede-
raj tribunal for redress. 1t matters not what
might be the character of his case-it
might be civil or criminal, it might be
simple action of debt OF a suit in
trover, 1t might be an indictment for
assault and battery, for larceny, for bur-
glary, for arson, or for murder, it would be
all the same; upon simple complaint that his
rights either of person or property had been
infringed, would be the bounden duty of the
tribunal TO which he made his application to
hear and determine his case. The granting of
such an immense power as this over the State
tribunals would at the very best, subordinate
them to condition OF comparative unimport-
ance and mslgnidcance, and might prove utterly
destructive of that full security for the enjoy
ment Of all the legal rights of property, and !
those effective guarantees against arbitrary
oppression, which the people have found in our
present judicial system ever since the Organiza-
lion OF the Government. In opposing the second
section, he uses the iavorte argument of this
section, that 1t is unjust in its operations against
tue South, because 1t decreases its representa-
lion in Congress, and does not affect the North
similarly lie says that the third section estab-
| fishes test Of eligibility for office, both
Federal and State, which is not only un.
necessary and uniustly proscriptiYe, but
hlch might possibly lead 10 the most ruinous
consequences. Experience has demonstrated
incoutestaoly that the interest OF the Govern
ment does not require such rigid and discrim-
NATIVE test. The officials chosen since the war
10 conduct the operations of the enon-represented
States, have had numerous and embarrassing
difficulties TO contend with; but, amidst all these
d scouraging embarIassments, they have firmly
and faithfully discharged their public duties in
strict harmony with the Constitution and laws
OF the United States. They as we'll as the people
| Tor whom they act, fully recognize their indis-
soluble identity with the Union, and are
earnestly and honestly aboring 10 maintain it
in ITS constitutional integrity. All these facts
show that the people may be very safely allowed
the untrammelled privilege OF choosing their
Yn agents from among those who are eligible
to positions of public trust under the
G N stitUdon as it now stands, The peo-
pie of the States which are now de-
med representation In Congress would
| not muImur at any standard of patriotism or
test of loyalty to the general Government
which might be applied TO their professions
and conduct since the close of the war. Ifpun-
ishments are TO be inflicted for preceding con.
duct, surely the pains and penalties prescribed
by the laws now standing upon the national
statute-boOk are amply sufficient for thepurpose,
They are certainly rigorous enough to accomplish
trolled by true statesmanship. Ifthe dl7abili.
ties imposed by this third section be intended as
punishment for acts heretofore committed, the
Amendment would operate praetic ally ss an eH