Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-12-20
Obstruction OF the Civil Law by Militia y
Ortler-COunty Court Of Craven Sus-
pended.

Order County Court Of Craven Sus-
pended.
At the sitting of the Court of Pleas and
Quarter sessions, in this city, on yesterday,
negro man was tried and convicted on Il
charge of larceny and sentenced by the
court to receive a whipping. The sheriff
of the county was about to carry into ef-
feet the sentence, when a notice was served
upon him by Fl. E. Hazen, 1st Lieut.. U. S.
Infantry, commanding Post, forbldding the
infiction of the punishment The Sheriff
promptly reported this extraordinary inter
ference to the court, and as that body up
to this time had no notification whatever of
the existence of an order TO interfere with
the administration of the laws of the State,
considerable excitement was manifested
and ultimately the court adjourned, tho
general feeling being not to hold the courts
at all, if they cannot be held free from in
reference by the military.
It was resolved, however, that u meeting
of the Magistrates and the members OF the
Bar should be held this morning to take
some final action.
At present, we refrain from any COM
ments on this extraordinary occurrence
When the court shall have marked out its
course we will have something to say.
We may express one belief, however, that
it is unwarranted, and we are strengthened
in our belief by the announcement Of
Washington correspondent of the Baltimore
Gazette, that the Government has not au-
thorized General Sickles to forbid cOrpoTeal
punishment in North Carolina"
The following is copy of the notliica-
ton transmitting General Sickles' order
This copy, as will be seen, was served upon
George Green, Esq, County Solicitor
HEADERS Posi- OF New BERNE, n. c.,
December 18TH 1865. !
To George Greene, Esq, Solicitor CrGreH County
SHIN compliance with instructions received
from the Headquarters, Military Command OF
North Carolina, enclose herewith copy OF Gen
eral Order No. Is, Headquarters, Department OF
the South, dated Charleston, s. c., Oct. /, 1866,
with the information that the provisions of the Or
der will be strictly enforced.
Your attention is respectfully invited more es
pecially to paragraphs 5 and 8 of said Order, l
am sir, very respectfully, your obedent servant
III. L. HAZEN, 1st 1t Sth
U. s. Infantry, Comdg Post.
The following paragraphs are the only
ones affecting the case. They are marked
in the printed order, and "attention" is
directed to them
V. Corporal punishment shall not be
inflicted upon any person other than mi
nor, and then only by the parent, guar
dian, teacher, or one to whom said MINOR
is lawfully bound by indenture of appren-
ticeship. Nor shall any person be sold to
service as punishment for crime or for
other cause, by any authority Whatever
(G. o. No. l, Par, XVIII, Headquarters
Department of South Carolina, Jan. LIST,
1860
VI. The laws of the States, respectively,
in this Department, defining and punish.
ing vagrancy, applicable to white persons
may be enforced against all persons; ney-
ertheless no one who shall have used rea-
sonable diligence to obtain employment, or
who shall be unable to work by reason Of
infrmity, shall be deemed vagrant, ii.
o. No. l, Par. XIII, Headquarters Depart
ment of South Carolina. Jan. LIST, 1866
NelU Beyne COn1n2eTcioL