Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-12
rnE RAnTCAL POLAND.

The following is copy of the bill TO pro-
vide a bayonet government for the South,
introduced by the great oommoner" in the
House:
Whereas, the pretended State govern
ments Of the so-called Confederate States OF
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana,
Florida, Texas and Arkansas, were set up
without the authority Of Congress. and
without The sanction of the people
Ard whereas, the s6-eaiied pretended
governments afford no adequate protection
for life or property, hut countensnee aud
encourage lawlessness and crime;
And whereas, it is necessary that peace
and good order should be enforced in said
so-called States until loyal and republican
State governments can be legally estah-
lished therefore,
Be it enacted by the Senate and Ho,,se of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That the
so-called disloyal States shall be divided
into military districts, and made subject to
the military authority Of the United States
as hereinafter prescribed and for that pur-
pose Virginia shall constitute the first dis
trict, North Carolina and South Carolina
the second district, Georgia, Allah anna and
Florida the third district Mississippi and
Arkansas the fourth district, and Louisiana
and Texas the fifth district.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted. That
il shall be the duty of the General of the
army 10 assign to the command of each of
said district an officer of the regular army
not below the rank of Brigadier General.
and 10 detail 4 sufficient military force 10
enable such officer to perform his duties
and enforce his authority within the dis
trict 70 which he is assigned
Sec 3. And be- il further enacted. That
il shall he the duty of each officer ASSIGNED
as aforesaid 10 protect all persons in their
rights Of person and property, 10 suppress
insurreciion, disorder and violence. and 10
punish or cause to be punished all disturb
ers Of the public peace and criminals and
10 this end lie may allow civil tribunals 10
take jurisdiction Of and to try offenders. or
when in his Judgment il may be necessary
for the trial of offenders, he shall have
power 30 organize military commissions or
tribunals for that purpose. anything in the
constitution and laws Ofthe sO-called States
TO the contrary notwithstanding; and all
legislative or judicial proceedings or pro-
cesses TO prevent or control the proceedings
of said military tribunals, and all interfer
ences by said pretended State governments
with the exercise Of military authority I'M
der this act. shall be void and Of no effect. |
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted. That |
courts and judicial officers Of the United |
States shall not issue writ Of iabeas corpaPI
in behalf Of persons in military custody I'M !
less some commissioned officer on duty IN |
the district wherein the person is detained.
shall endorse upon said petition a statement |
upon honor, that he has knowl- !
edge or information as to the case and cir |
cumstances Of the alleged detention, and |
that he believes that the endorsed petition
is preferred in good faith and in further
ance Of justice, aud not 10 hinder or delav
the punishment Of crime. All persons pnt
under military arrest by virtue of this act
shall be tried without unnecessary delay.
and no cruel or unussl punishment shall be |
inflicted
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted That
no sentence Of any military commission or
tribunal hereby authorized affecting the
life or liberty Of any person shall be exc
cnted until it is approved by the superior
officer in command of the district, and the |
laws and regulations for the government of |
the army shall not be affected by this act |
except in so far as they conflict With its pro.
visions.