Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-02-08
eOvERNmENTs FoR THE SOUTHERN
STATES.

STATES.
On Wednesday last, in the House OF ice
representatives. of the United States, Mr.
Stevens, from the Joint Committee on he
construction, reported bill to provide for
the more efficient government of the insur-
rectionsry States. 1t was read twice, and or
dered to be printed. 1t is as follows:
Whereas, The pretended State govern
ments Of the late 30 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 with
out the sanction of the people; and
Whereas, The SO pretended governments
afford no adequate protection for life or pro-
perry, but countenance and encourage law
lessness and crime; and
Whereas, 1t is necessary that peace and
good order should be enforced in the said So
called States, until loyal and republican
State governments can be legally establish
ed therefore,
Be il enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States Of
America, In Congress- assembled, That the
so-chlled States shall be divided into military
districts, and made subject to the military
authority OF the United States. as hereinaf
ter prescribed; and for that purpose Virginia
| snail CONSTITUTE Tue liIbt ulbltlCl, NOftn Ohiu
lima and South Carolina the second district;
Georgia, Alabama and Florida the third dis.
trict; Mississippi and Arkansas the fourth
7 district, and Louisiana and Texas the fifth
district.
Section 9. And be it further enacted, That
1t shall be the duty of the General of the
: army to assign TO the command OF each OIL
the said districts an officer of the regulai
+ army, not below the rank of Brigadier Gene
/ ,al nd In datan Nf1ntant military fOrFf
. to enable such officer to perform his duties
Y and enforce his authority in the district Il
J, which he ia assigned.
Section 8. And be further enacted, Tha
Z IL shall be the duty of each officer assigned
n as aforesaid to protect all persons In thei
u rights of person and property; to suppress
~ insurrection, disorder and violence, and Il
y punish or cause to be punished all disturber
i of the public peace and criminals; and Il
this end he may allow civil tribunals to tax
y Jurisdiction of and to try offenders; or when
ie in his Judgment il may be necessary for TIL
l. trial of offenders, he shall have power 1
50 organize military commissions or tribunal
for that purpose, anything in the constitr
r.. ton and laws of the so-called States to III
as contrary Notwithstanding; and all legislt
r tive or judicial proceedings or processes
I'd prevent or control the proceedings Of sal
III military tribunals, and all interference b
" said pretended State governments with tn
sh exercise of military authority under this &C
ul shall be void and OF no effect
~ Section A. And be it further enacted, Thu
W. courts and judicial officers Of the Unite
In States shall not issue writs OF habeas corpI
CO in behalf of persons in military custod,
unless some commissioned officer on duty
the District wherein the person Is detaint
se- shall indorse upon said petition statemen
10 certifying upon honor that he has knowledl
IS, or information as to the cause and circur
an stances of the alleged detention, and that
,m believes the same to be wrongful, and furth
ne that he believes that the Endorsed petition
lld preferred in good faith and in furtherance
ma Justice, and not to hinder or delay Il
ll .tlSS punishment OF crime. All persons put und
WI military arrest by virtue of this act shall
ay' tried without unnecessary delay, and
cruel or unusual punishment shall be infli
The ed.
his Section 8. And be II further enacted, I'll
ter no sentence of any military commission
of tribunal hereby authorized, affecting the !
out or liberty OF any person shall be execui
led until 1t is approved by the superior officer
mt command Of the district, and the laws a
Ter regulations for the government of the arl
safe shall not be affected by this act, except in
men far as they conflict with it's provisions.