The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-01-16


all cases in which not moro than o1e hun
dred dollars Is claimed 90 dsmagos OF as
the principal sum due. The criminal iuris-
diction Of the court Is TO Be exercised Ct is
daily sessions, and extends TO all ofenses By
persons Of color Of which exclusive juris-
3ieiiou Is not vested in some other court,
and excludes the jurisdiction in such cases
heretofore vested in justices Of the peace
mayors or intendants. The Court is also 10
hold semi-annual sessions, having concur
rent jurisdiction with other courts Of law in
all civil cases Of which exclusive jurisdic-
ton IS not vested in some other count, inclu-
ding jurisdiction in iegitimstizing persons,
changing names, and granting eorporats
privileges. Ruies Of the Superior Courts
10 govern Il. Appeals may be taken to su-
perior Courts. In cases not specially
excepted, the Judges costs in the semi
annual courts shall be the same as those Of
the Clerks Of the Superior aud Inferior
Courts for like service; in cases OF the daiIv
courts, if the sum or damages claimed ex-
coed fifty dollars, then two thirds Of such
costs, and if not over ffty.dollars, then one
third OF such eosts shall be taxed as Judges
costs; in criminal cases, two dollars for
every case begun, and two dollars addi-
uonal for every case tried or transmitted TO
the Superior Court. Other fees are enu-
merated.
We have not time or space to notice par
ti~eularly the provisions OF the code for the
protection aud government OF freedmen.
They seem to be ample for their protection,
and SUMMARY and searching for the punish
ment Of crimes and misdemeanors. No in
yidious distinctions Of color are made, but
whites and blacks are alike held 10 an &C
countability which the disorders and de-
rsngsments Of the times require to be strict.
Simple larceny, larceny from the house Of =
chattel less than one hundred dollars va
lue, vagrancy, receiving stolen goods, and
attempts 10 commit robbery, burglary, lar
eeny and arson, to be punished by confne-
ment at hard labor on the public works or
public property and in all other cases,
where by law confinement in the Eeni,en-
49, - HsARNA - a HAlAaAAAAtnAH the
Court in its discretion may sentence the
convict to confinement at hard labor on the
public works or public property.
So far as we can form an opinion
from the above, it appears that the
Georgia Commissioner are far in ad-
vance Of their predecessors of Missis-
sippi and South Carolina, and have per
formed their labors with much more
wisdom, magnanimity, Gnd regard for
the rights of the freedmen. We are
greatly encouraged by their report.
The Legislature OF North Carolina
shirked the whole question, and did
nothing to protect the freedmen in
their rights of person or property.
Called together by Gov. Worth to finish
their lsbors, it is to be hoped that the
members, having conferred with the
people, will do all that is demanded Of
them by the exigencies of the times and
the good of the State.
1t is within the power of these States,
before the month closes, TO do much 70
relieve themselves of the p~reiudices
and hostility still prevailing in the
minds Of a very large and influential
portion of the people of the North, who
have been led to believe that it is moi
their desire or intention to do Justice tc
the freedmen. Had they accepted the
situation and complied fully with the
demands Of the President he would
have gone before Congress st the open,
ing Of the session, much stronger, and
it is probable that before this time theiI
Representatives would have been ad
mitted to their seats. But their failure
to come up to the mark weakened him
and has put back the day of their de
liverance.
The question Of chief Importance fol
these and ali the other Southern States
TO determine now, is the negro ques
ton lie must not only be admitted
into the courts as q witness, but ne mus
have the same privileges as the white
man to hold property Of any and al
kinds, and to dispose of the same. In
r word, he must be the equal before the
law with the white man. and upon
this point, we would commend TO then
the sage counsel of JOm BELL in the
recently published letter from his pen
Il is not TO DO supposed, for a moment
that, at a great crisis like the present
when so much is depending upon prop
er action, and so many vital interests
are at stake, be would mislead his ooun
trymen. Whatever he advises may be
regarded as the deep seated convictions
of matured thought and an honest
heart, profoundly impressed with the
responsibilities of the hour, and anxious
only for the good ofhis country and the
welfare of his race. Until the eounseli
of those who are fully alive to the du
ties of the South 10 the freedmen
are given voice and effect in the
form Of law, We cannot hope Il
get rid of the Freedmen's Bureau, on,
Of the very worst infections which
could be visited upon 3 free people, AnC
which, if permitted to remain q few
years. will become q source Of unmeas
ured corruption and prohigacy. Thir'
|, teen millions Of dollars are now asked
10 sustain il the remainder of the pres
ent year-thirteen millions, one-thirC
of what Was regarded in the days o
Andrew jackson as sufficient for 81
the ordinary expenses Of the govern
menti And the thousands of officer
chartered in the States, responsible only
I to the Head Of the Bureau, Rrrsign
ING before their courts, upon the mos
trivial charges, citizens Of the States
and assessing and collecting inei
without the shadow even Of law. Why
if there we're no other reason, tn,
Southern States ought to afford III,
freedmen the fullest protection by Law
} in sIl their rights, and relieve them
, selves Of an institution which mus
prove in the end the greatest Of curses
} But, we trust, they will be governed
by higher motives; by 3 sense Of duty
4 and obligation 10 the freedmen and tia,
country, and to advance their owl
interests
z The P~resident's First LeVee.
NasHiNCroN. Jan. 10. 1880.
The ladies Of the white House. Mr.. Pat