The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-02-20
THE FREEDMEN'S BUREAU AND THE JURIS-
DICTION OF THE COURTS.

THE FREEDMEN'S BUREAU AND THE JURIS-
DICTION OF THE COURTS.
The Raleigh Progress says: Judge Boxton,
being about to open the ceurts> in his district,
addressed letter to Col. Whittlesey, chief of
the freedmen's bureau for this State, PROFOUND
ing certain questions relative to jurisdiction 10
cases where freedmen are concerned The
following is Col Whittlesey's answer, which he
has kindly permitted US To publish for the TO-
formation of the public:
BUREAU OF r. T. l. A. f.,
RALEIGH, February ID, 1866.
Il. +. Buxton, Esq: -
SIR: Your favor of the 10th is just received
In the matters referred to it will not be difficult
to avoid conflict Of jurisdiction. The principles
by which military authorities are governed are
these
1st. In cases of breach of criminal law by
freedmen, no objection will be made to trial by
civil courts (colored testimony being by law ad
mitted,) provided that the sentence against
whites aud blacks, when convicted, be nccessa-
rily the same.
End. In cases where whites are accused of
offences against colored people (colored testimo-
ny not being ADMITTEDLY the military authorities
claim jurisdiction. Should the bill now before
the Legislature be passed, these cases will be
transferred to the civil courts also, on the same
condition as the first. 1t is my earnest desire
to see this effected at an early day. Then the
most Objectionable feature of the freedman's
bureau will be removed. The aim of the gov.
eminent is simply to secure justice t6 all with
out distinction of race or color. Very Respec'y
E WHITTLESEY,
Co.. & Asst. Conner.
Bay The above shows the importance of our
Legislature promptly passing the Code to allow
negroes to testify 10 all cases.
MILITARY ORDER IN S. C.-In our adyer-
Using columns will be found circular from the
Military authorities in reference to compensa
ton to freedmen for labor performed during the
last year. 1t will Be observed that from the
10th day of February 1865, is the time from
which they declared entitled to compensa-
ton. We ARE informed by Capt. Boyce, COM
handing at this Post, that this date has been
designated for the reason that on that day the
Federal authorities took possession of Columbia,
the capitol of the State.-T orktWe Enquirer.
GENERAL SHERMAN MAKES A SPEECH
Gen Sherman was honored with public recep-
ton in Detroit last week, when he concluded
speech as follows:
81 never expect to again command military
force. We are too powerful for our peace to be
destroyed in the future by domestic or for
eign foe. The country has two many men such
as those whom I now see around me, some of
of Georgia and the Caroinas, for its quiet to be
lightly disturbed. Michigan herself alone, and
certainly when backed up by Illinois, Indiana,
and Wisconsin, could raise army large
enough to not only repel, but crush any force or
power that should dare infringe upon our Dor
ders Our national affairs will shortly be re-
stored to safe and permanent basis. Congress
when it has finished certain amount of talk, |
as all popular assemblies must, will speedily set
tie all questions. | know the man at the head |
of affairs in Washington, and all we have to do
is to trust him. Exercise forbearance and pa |
triotsm and give the President our hearty and
earnest support. Applause We certainly
have bright prospect before US.
BALTIMORE CoSFERENcE.--For several
years there has existed two Conferences occupy !
ing the same territory, both claiming to belong |
to the Methodist Episcopal Church, named
baltimore" The one embracing most Of the
Mehodists south Of the Potomac and in the |
Valley of Virginia, has been strongly opposed |
TO the abolition doctrines of the Northern Meth |
odists, the other mostly in Maryland, but strong
" abolition, but both claiming to be the Balti-
more Conference.
On the Sth inst. the bod y. claiming to be an
i abolitionist assembled in Alexandria Va, and
organized by the election Of President and
Secretaries and proceeded to business. After
settling various preliminares as to who belong
ID to the bedy &c, the Conference adopted
y a series of resolutions declaring
hat they do unite with and adhere to the Meth
,dist Episcopal Church, South.
Bishop Early being 10 the city was immedi-
ltely sent for and he at once complied and re-
,ogDized the entire body as members and min
sters in communion with the Church. South
The body is composed of twenty-five ministers
md represent about II 900 Church members.
President johnson has issued an order to turn
,ver to the Northern Methodist Church all the
Churches and parsonages heretofore held 6y the
hove Conference.
The following is one of the established rulings
# the Internal Revenue Bureau:
Suits are commenced in many States by other
process than writ, viz: summons, warrant, pub
ication, petition, &c, in which cases, these, as
he origi-al processes, severaly require stamps.
The Ohio Legislature has passed bill fixing
light hours for day labor.
STATE ITEMS.
PIEDMONT RAILRoAD.-The work Of chang
ne the guage of this road is progressing rapid
y. Trains will soon run through from Rich
nond to Greensboro in day-light.-Gree"sb oro
Patriot. !
re- Yesterday at the auction sale at Dir
laniel Kerns place, several miles from this city,