Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-03-10

usleb DcIuEe LlE -NeCDuSLuClloA AoA
mittee:
LAJ.-GES. THOMAS EXA1GEED BY Mr.
boutwell,.
Question. What States are included il
vaur commando Answer. The States 0'
Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabaml
and Mississippi.
Q. VIII yoa state TO the Committe'
the result OF your observation and lnfor
msti0n in regard 70 the condition Of the
people Of Alabams with reference to thel
loyalty OF disiovalty to the GOvernmeu
q the United States. A. The people O.
Alabama are extremely anxious 10 b
under the Constitution Of the United
States, and 70 have that State in its reg
uiar position in the Union, but they at,
not vet personally friendly 10 the Union
men. They are desir0us % live uudel
the Government OF the United States
snd have attenl UJed 20 pass laws as judi
ciOus as they could at the time 10 regulate
the affairs OF the freedmen. One Of these
bills was not considered constitutional by
the Governor, and was vetoed by him.
He thinks now that the Legislature viii
pass s iust and fair bill 10 recognize the
stFairs IF the freedmen Of the State.
.. In the absence Of personal
good viii towards the Union and
Union D-en IN what is prov .deo, Is Il the
desire Of the people Of Alsbama To live
under the Government Of the United
States? A. They have had q fair trial 10
their attempt 10 gain independence, and
have failed com mpleJelv in that attempt.
They now profess themselves Ge-irous of
returning 30 rhsir relations with the Gov
eminent of the United States.
Q What proportion CT the people Of
Alszsma msv be regarded as radical and
continuing Union men2 A That j. 3
very difficult question 10 answer, for this
reason Originally, and before secession,
and during the discussion OF JhsImeasure,
4 amaioritv Of the people Of Alabama were
T-r die Union. and when the subject was
first submitted 10 the people, majority
voted srzinsr secession, ana ana am
informed that the State Of Alabama was
eventually taken out Of the | Mon by
political trickery On the part Of promi-
nent leading and determined secession
lists in the state Then the people md
ing themselves In that condition, ana
being desirous Of preserving their prop
srtv- acQuiesced IN the result, and in
Ynsnv instances having 70 give mp their
Union sentiments and advocate the cause
of the C7ufederacy and some Of these
original Union people have remained
re5rIz- and sre now strongly in sym
psthv with the enemies Of the Govern
uneur. others have expressed their glad
ness that the rebellion has been crushed,
aud propose 10 desire 10 have the state
bsck in the Union, but their Interests
and svmpathies have such hold upon
them 81 this time, that il Is very difficult
70 obtatn 3 clear expression Of the sentl-
ments OF every man there.
o So far a. you sre ableto judge, what
proportion Of the people OF Alabama, q
the present time, are avowed OulonisJs
10 tie extent Of condemning the rebel
lion and entertaining a desire 20 oe under
the National Government even II IL
were possfble 10 establish the Contede-
racy?- a. Wen, sir, / am inclined 70
think that a very small proportion OF
item vvouI5 be willing 70 sacrifice their
properrv and interests I'm the South for
tba --ake OF the Union. They did not DO
A before-it is fair 70 presume that they
wanted still 20 adhere 10 the advance
fueut Of their own private Interests IN
preference 70 the Interests Of the Ma
uonal Government
Q. What is the state Of feeling existing
between those who have been armed
Enionists through the war and those whe
have been identified with the REBELLION
A Ia some portions Of the state there
l. s. very bitter feeling; in other portions
Of the State the people ali seem 10 desire
70 be friendly with one another, and 10
there 10 the Government.
D. In which part Of the State Is there
e best feeling among the people in ref
-enca 70 the National Government. A
a some portions of Northern Aiauams
he public sentiment Of the people may
be expressed IN this way: III they Thought
,. To- NHa.r Nfarrn n-slFN-
eracv, thev would prefer il; but as 1t
seems there is no hope Of that, they de-
sire 10 live under the Constitution OF the
United states. There is now in Alaoama
!. growing snd decidedly disioyal seutl-
rnent. think the Union sentiment pre-
dominates in many portions o. the state.
O. Do YOU know OF anything being
said. or any measures taken IA reference
10 procuring from the United states pay
rnent for stores, or compensation Tor
loses sustained by the people during the
war; A. / have not heaT1 ofany coplrl-
button lor that purpose.
% Have any measures been taken Oy
The legislature Of Alabama, by any ON
Gers there 10 ascertain the amount OF
guah losses A. ! do not tnllk there mas
been; If any such measures have been
taken il has been done very quietly, 50
as not 10 have been observed by the ON
oers Of the Government siStl0ned ~ that
state, ~ iesst they have not reportod IL
% ne.
O. In the elections that have taken
plales in that state, has il or has Il 2HL
teen common for candidates 70 put them
selyes before the people as having partic-
ipstad more or less actively ia the rebel
Ion A. 10 not know that it was
universal thing for that 20 he done.
There were two distinct parties In Nor. b.
eru Alabama and the Union candidates
for Congress were defeated, but ] think
the Union candidates for the State Leg
Stature were either all Of them elected
ora majority Of them were elected
. How was il ia Central and in South
arS Atahsnla2 A. think the successful
Candidates in Central and Southern Ala
cams were either officers Of the rebel
army or active aud working rebels. A
report o. frauds in the election 10 certain
districts 10 Alabama was forwarded 70
me: I forget now which districts lnese
reports have been forwarded 10 wash
ington, aud / suppose they are no" on
6ie IN the AdJutant General once.
Q. WI you state generally "nat was
the nature Of the alleges fraudsE a.
That improper persons were permitted
81 yora. t3at was the charge, and 70 Was
sl1hstcrtisted, IS ] have been Informed.
o Those persons were not entitled Tor
what reasons 4. On account OF lnelr
psrticipatiou ln the rebellion tllnh
voters were required 10 take the oath OF
aller,iaDce. or were required 10 swear tnat
fbex had not taken part in the rebellion
neither OF which conditions was enforced
In some districts.
q. What is the condition OF the stale
generally with reference 70 personal
ssferv A. Up to this time Union men
epd freedmen baye not been 70 any great
avtent in danger but 3 few instances OF
r,er.ousl violence have been reported 70
nae. Generally speaking, the presence
,7f the United states troops ana OF me
Freedneuis Bureau has been sufficient 10
midtown any emOnstrations oi hostility.
O. What Is your opinion OF lhe eApe-
diency ef removing lle uOop9 oi 'ne
United States from Alaeaiiia a %
not thlnk i would oe eApeuien,l ~ re- ~
rnova he fro8ps until the people snow
- 80, srs themselves wiling and de-
termiued 10 execute tne teN Wv" an
usi Justice 10 81 parties ,,-..i-,,..
o. Do YOU know Of sny eomblhsllohs
susopr Glasses Of employers Win reieF-
sDoe II the wages % be PAID ireedilehi
~ fbe conditions on which they shaA ye
emBloyed9 A. ] have heard oi com OF +,
nations but my Information has been OF
an indefinite nature. have, however
on sll such occasions warned the oIlcefs
Of the Freedmenis Bureau 70 take steps
70 prevent any undue advantage being
taken by employers over lab9rers they
employ, and this has been sufficient 70
prevent any combination from becoming
pyoniDent, even If such had any exist
euce. ] have had no positive reports
made 70 me Of combinations Of such
character being entered into.
@ i there any disposition 70 allow
the freednea 70 become free holders or
20 prevent them RON becoming such
any such disposition BE- would amount
even 70 q positive septiment2 A 4
think the pubiic sentiment Is divided II
that respect; 4 have heard Of no legisla-
tiOn on that subject, either TO empower
them TO become nee holders, or tc forbid
them froa becoming free holders.
Q. 1.-THE national troops and the Freed