The New York herald., 1867-03-14
WASH INGT0N
.-~~~>~~No~.~o~~~>~>>~-,
THE RECONSTRUCTION Law.
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Assignment Of the Military
Commanders.
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ASubstitute for the House Supplementary Re-
construction Bill Reported in the Senate.
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Opposition in the House to the Appropri-
alton for the Relief Of the Suffer
ing People in the South.
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THANKS or CONGRESS- TO GEORGE PEABODY.
THANKS OF CONGRESS- TO GEORGE PEABODY.

WASHINGTON, March 13, 1867.
The Military Reconstruction Law-Assign-
ment Of the Commanders.
The Official announcement of the new military com.
nanders, charged with the duty OF recognizing the
Southern States declared still OF the Unon mas
been made by General Grant, aud confirms TO the letter
prediction OF week ago. All the efforts to change
the original programme failed entirely and therefore the
specuations to Sherman Meade, Mellow ell and Han
cock very wide of the mark 1t Is undoubtedly
true that the Generals fixed upon last Sunday
and would have been announced on that day, had Il
not been for the pressure brought TO bear in
favor Of Sherman and Hancock. Jhe former, as
telegraphed before, offered of the commands,
bu. declined II in favor Of the gallant Phil Sheridan.
Late last night IL that Hancock had been
substituted for Ord but official order proves the
irary. The men appointed the selection Of Gen.
sral Grant himself and recommended by him, ali
statements to the contrary notw outstanding 1t just
possible that even yet, though the official order is
printed and promulgated that few changes may be
made The appontes are, schofed, Sickles G. II.
Thomas, E. 0. Q. Ord and Sheridan.
General Grant, in General Order No TO- publishes
day for the information and government OF all con-
serned, the act provide for The efficient govern
of the rebel states and concludes follows:--
In pursuance Of this President directs the fol-
lowing assignments TO be made:-
Breyet Major General J. NJ schoneld Headquarters
Richmond Va.
Second District Consisting Of North Carolina and
South Carolina, to be commanded by Major General D.
= sickles Headquarters at Columbia, S. G
Third Distrc-Conssting Of the States Of Georgia,
Florida and Alabama, to be commanded by Major
General 6. II. Thomas Headquarters at Montgomery
Fourth Distrc-Conssting Of the States Of Missis-
sipp and Arkansas, to be commanded by Brevet Major
General f. o. q. Ord Headquarters at Vicksburg, Miss.
and Texas. to be Commanded by Major General p. H.
6heridan. Headquarters at New Orleans, La.
The powers Of departmental commanders are hereby
delegated 70 the above named district commanders.
By command of General Grant
E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjuant General.
General schofed to-day issued an order at Richmond
assuming command of Virginia He says all officers
under the existing provisional government will continue
perform the duties Of their respective offices accord
ing law unless otherwise directed in individual cases,
until elected under the act OF Congress-
He says II is desirable that the military power be
cissd only far necessary the objects
for which it conferred and appeals to the people.
especially civil officers to render the necessity for its
exercise slight possible by strict obedience TO the
laws and impartial administration of justice 10 all
classes
The appointment OF the military governors for the five
districts the South the consideration in Congress
Of further amendments the Reconstruction act have
drawn q large number Of the more prominent and in
Auential Southern to this CITY, These gentlemen,
representing nearly all Of the southern Staes manifest
striking similarity in their views the qualities OF
shs Reconstruction act in question The principal cause
Of dissatisfaction with II is that does not they say,
after ALL present fnality to the South. Feel
ing anxious to comply with such requirements
- Congress may deem proper and necessary,
and being greatly discouraged with the state
sT uncertainty in which they have been since
Che close OF the war; they now express themselves
sincerely desrous to reach q settlement Of some kind
They ask that Congress shall define in an utmatum
what they must do that they may see the end Of the
srbuations OF reconstruction The act establishing mil
iasy governments and prescribing the mode by which
military rule may be superseded by civil government
shey regard mere political ignis fdu's, which. when
pursued In good faith and apparently just within reach
win be found just far on They say that after
Ill has done that Congress demands In the sheia-
barger-sherman act and the State constitutions are
submitted TO Congress- that body has still reserved to
Itself by the provisions of the the right deny them
admission to representation, and Of imposing still fur
thor conditions II nnalty should be announced they
believe that the people OF the South would with
renewed hope and increased confidence enter upon the
work Of reformation with willing hearts. One point
upon which they TO agree with remarkable unan
nifty Is the suggestion madc by the New York HERALD
IN reference 10 General Grant being nominated for the
Presidency and General Lee for the Vice Presidency next
year. This idea, they say, is being widely discussed
and s received most favoraby by the people OF the
South On the other hand Of the republicans here
while not saying anything adverse to Grants nomna-
tiou show manifest unwiingness TO regard the late
leader Of the rebel hosts available for the place
named They look upon II sort Of political amalga-
aton that would be likely TO keep parties North
end South wide apart than TO act general harmo-
nizer and pacincator Oil and water they think, would
n,nsia readily, while they thus pooh pooh the
proposition nowArer, II s evident they are not little
startled by IT.
The supplementary ReconstructIou Bii,s.
The chief difference which exists In the amendment
reported by the Judiciary Committee Of the Senate TO
the House bill supplementary 10 the act TO provide for
shs more efficient government OF the rebel States which
vas submitted by Mr. Trumbull today, is the form
Of the oath required Of before being registered
The words hat sincerely and earnestly attached to
che Union and government Of the United States"
omitted in the oath amended by the Judiciary Com.
nittee Of the Senate which deemed illibsra and
harsh requirements Of those who have suffered and
stilI suffering under the power Of the government
The Adjournment Question.
Congress will adjourn take a recess Immediately
after the supplementary reconstruction bil shall ses'
ahw or this there is deapt even u inc rreslueh'
ShalI veto H. which seems certain members OF Con-
gress tbnh tney VIII not oe actsiueu neS
week Tho general opinion is that recess will be taken
unt October In order 10 afford time TO see whether tho
President has the Reconstruction act srsec
Of which the House Committee on the Judiciary VIII
SaAe coxpizancs In connection With that of mpeach-
msnt
Th, Commission crship OF Indian Affairs.
II ia rumored that the President viii nominate ~ 9.
Taylor who 8, present represents the First Congress
souai drct OF Tennessee TO the position Of Commits
sopar Of Indian Arars which has been left vacant BY
ths rejection or Louis " Bogy.
ID Depwfy Comptroller Of the Csrrency.
John lay Knox, having had bis bond rlod and sp-
svoved an tered to-day upon the discharge Official
duties as Deputy Comptroller Of the currency.
The Expedition Against the Indians.
The espedn on sganst the hostile Indians Of Kansas
..su,-., uuaar tba command Of Major General