Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-09

Il saw that the rebel states furnished more thar
fifty thousand white troops for the federal
army, and ont of that number it is quite
probable all the cfice-holders needed could
have been selected. Some of these soldiers
were applicants for the very positions gwen to
men who could not take the test oath.
The committee report this significant case
Mr.. j. j. Giers, a citizen of Alabama, ap-
piled for an appointment as commissioner for
the collection of direct taxes for that State.
His application was supported by the follow
ing testimonials
| :sHon. Sec'y of Wr:-Please see Mr.. j.
j. GleIs on the propriety of furnishing small
arm ammunition &c the loyal people of North
Alabama. A. LINCOLN.
Nov. IL, 1868"
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Sept. 80, 1864.
To President Lincoln MIR. Giers is a
gentleman OF integrity and responsibility he
is one of the few In that country who stood
firm to the Union. Any kindness you may
show him will confer personal favor upon
me. ANDRLw JOHNSON.
6 Mr. Giers is u loyal citizen Of Alabama
and has done many acts 10 prove his pos itlon.
q. Ii. THOMAS, NJ ajor General
May IA, 1865
- know Mr.. Giers we'll, and | have always
found him ready to aid the Government IN
every way posi- bic. lie is competent and re-
liable. Y. ). GRANT, Lieut.. Cen
Feb. 1S 1866.
Mr.. Giers' friends were not successful in
their efforts to secure fol him the position that
he desired but one T. w Sykes, who was a
member of the rebel Legislature of Alabama,
was nominated to the Office. Other cases
might b. gwen, but il Is deemed unnecessary.
Applications are sill pendi z for the appoint
ment of some OF the loyal men of the South
10 othciAi positions IN those states.
The committee also give this letter
.'sUxTER, ). c., April 10, 1866.
Dear Sir: For four yeats OF the war
Montgomery Moses was collector OF war tax
for JEFF. Davis, grinding the people here ana
now is assessor [c1llectorl vi United States
tax internal revenue, ana all his sons were
rebels and are now sucking government pap
In revenue Is this right? Plenty Union
men here Idle. Your servant,
PETER HAYNES, Freedman.
The curse pursued by The President and
by some of the heads OF departure nts IN setting
ID motion the machinery OF civil government,
appears to be not only Inspired by motives OF
great tenderness toward rebels, tut to be in
L
Johnson's provisional governors could take
the test oath, and So lar as is known not one
was asked to take it. Yet these governors
were federal officers ii they were anything
After this example, set by the chief magls-
srate, Of disregard OF a positive statute, It IL
not a matter of much surprise that his SUI Dor
dInates IN the executive departments should
give like example of disobedence, and ex-
hlblt similar contempt Of the law making
power. L! is about time that mere executive
officers should learn that they are not the gov
ernment, and that the right to repeal statu ties
does n t rest with them. Calhoun once pro-
posed through state action to nulliiy "a law of
Congress. 1t was, however, generally under
stood then that acts OF Congress were bind
ing upon all the people of the country. 1t
has been reserved for our time for officials at
Washington to attempt TO nulliiy law, and
then urge their own unlawful conduct as j
reason why the law should be repealed