The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-14
RECONSTRUCTION.
The Power Of the Military Com
manderS Curtailed.
They Have No authority to Remove the Civil
Officers OF a State.
From the wasnins on ln,elllgcncer. June 1871

: From the Washing on lntellgencer. June 1871
we have authority 10. the statement that at very
recent consultation OF the Cabinet II decided that
the military officers in command OF the FIVE districts
into which the ten unrepresenied Southern States
divided nave no power 10 remove civil officers deriving
their authority from the State governments as now
organized The question, understand before the
OF the Governor and other civil officers OF the OF
Louisiana by snera Sheridan but course will apply
10 the action of the other four commanders NO doubt
the forthcoming opinion OF the Attorney General, in
accordance with the reasoning OF which IL under
stood the decision referred TO at will fully
Justify the legality and proprety OF this determination
1t scarcely need be suggested that the issuing Of
orders replacing the deposed officers (which become
necessary as consequence OF this decision OF the gov
erpment) would be no good ground for application
the part OF General Sheridan to be relieved from the
position he holds; much less would II warrant the in
ference that the administration contemplaes desires
his removal for his errors We feel authorized
that the speculaons Of sensational journals upon
point however they may be attempted to be supported
by imagined political manGnvres on the part OF either
the friends or enemies OF the General are wholly with
out foundation.
IFrom the Boston Advertiser June l3)
The powers or military commanders and the removal
or Governor Wells by General Sheridan formed the
mann topic of discussion at the Cabinet meeting on
Tuesday ngh.-thc first which has been held the
OF the President We readily believe that the
debate animated. What the decision Of
the Cabinet seems not 70 be very clearly known, n
indeed, any point was definitely decided IL rs never
theless reported that in the opinion OF the Attor
ney General such removals that OF the
Mayor Of Mobile and the Governor OF Louisiana
be legally made under the unless the
officials have been nyst arrested tried and convicted by
q military commission on the charge OF hindering the
execution of those Mr.. Stanbery is supported In
this view, accounts say by the President and
all the Cabinet, except Mr. stanton. Mr. Johnson,
himself may perhaps find 1t difficult to decide whether
this Interpretation OF the law ought TO be. en-
forced in the Louisiana case; certainly be will
noe be influenced In his decision by an
weenng f0ndness for either the deposed governor
or the military commander. II is not impossible that
the difficulties which may present themselves will
him from fully making up his mind before the
time passes tor July session Of Congress- In the
meantime Mr. s,anbery is preparing another elaborate
report on the powers of military commanders
The Executive in his veto message took the ground
that the effect OF the reconstruction act give up
South into the hands Of the district commanders;
thai " gave the general in command the power Of
absolute monarch What pleasant relief It will be
10 him il with the help OF MI Stanbery he can now
make that the provisions Of the after all
not so errib.cl
Prom the Worcester Spy, June 1871
II the Presidents construction ri the law four months
ago were correct be would certainly have power
interfere with the mid and gentle exercise of tho
from the veto construction OF IT, and yet give the Presl
dent shadow OF right to restrain any district
mander from puttns Office holding rebels and marposs
out Of his way. The President can remove the COM
mauders; but wIic they remain all civil governments
within heir d,s,iSc,s provisional only and all civil
officers hold heir places exercise their functions at
the discretion Of the military power II there is any
thing about the purpose OF Congress the
ing OF the law il thai they conferred precisely this
authority.
frrom the Milwaukee Daily wisconsin June Ill
II be hoped that General Butler is mistaken In
regard 10 the intentions OF the President to override the
OF the generals commanding tho Southern recon-
s,ructon districts The work Of reconstruction now
In fair way progress surely and steadily TO the end
and we hardly think that the Executive win dare 10 in
to stop II into different channels Many
the principal men OF the South have given in their
adhesion 10 the reconstruction OF Congress-
and intervene TO prevent the carrying out OF these
measures would be . crime which would doom him TO
lower level OF infamy than he has yet reached. What
he says Of the opinion OF Stanbery prac
ideally restore almost every rebel TO all civil rights for
he has only 70 take the oath 10 enable him register
and vote.
From the New Orleans Tribune, June 81
From private letters received during this week the
prospects for peace between parties and for the faith
full Of the laws Of Congress not very
couraging. The President, momentarily ovcraved BY
the proceedings before the Judiciary COMMITTEES V nov
exhibiting anew bis bold defiance OF constitutional
powsrA II may b taken 1xed fact that Congress
will meet In July; but ~ soon % that body vii have
separated the President win pursue Q decided
course, calculated 70 advance the rebel interest