Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-02-12
a Bill to Make Military Rule Supreme
in the Southern States.

The following bill was introduced into the
United States Senate on Monday week, by
Mr.. Williams, of Oregon, and referred to the
Committee on Reconstruction:
IWereas, the pretended State governments
of the late so called Confederate Suites of
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana. Flo
rida, Texas and Arkansas were set up without
the authority of Congress, and therefore are
of no constitutional validity; and whereas
they are in the hands and under tn control
OF the unrcpentant leaders of the rebellion,
and afford no adequate protection for life or
property, but countenance and encourage law
lessness and crime; and whereas it is neces-
sary that peace and good order shou!d be en-
forced in the SO called States, until loyal and
republican State governments can be legally
formed therefore,
Be it enacted Gy the Senate and House of
Representatives. Of the United States in Co,I-
grcSs assembled, That each of said so-ca!!cd
States constitute military district, to be sub
Ject to the military authority of the United
States as hereafter prescribed.
Section l. And be it further enacted, That
1t shall be tho duty OF the general of the army,
under the authority of the President of the
United States, to assign to the command Of
each of said districts an officer of the regular
army, not below the rank Of brigadicr GEN
cral, and to furnish such officer with 4 mill
tary force sufficient to enable him to perform
his duties and enforce his authority within
the district to which he is assigned.
Section 2. And be it further enacted. That
it shall be the duty of each officer assigned
rs aforesaid, to protect all pcaceable and law
abiding persons in their rights of person and
70
aud violence, and to punish or cause to be
punished, all disturbcrs of the public peace
and criminals, and 20 this end lie may allow
the local tribunals to take jurisdiction of and
to try offenders, or when in his judgment it
may be necessary for the trial OF offenders he
shall have power to organize military commits
stons or tribunals for that purpose, anything
in the constitution and laws Of the so called
States to the contrary Notwithstanding, and
all legislative or judicial proceedings to pre-
vent or control the proceedings of said militia
ry tribunals and all interference by said IRE
tended State governments with the exercise
OF military authority under this act shall be
void and of no effect
Section 3. And be it further enacted
That courts and judicial officers of the United
States may issue wr.ts OF habcas corpus in
behalf of persons in military CUSTODY ONLY
the districts where the petition originates
shall endorse on said petition statement GER.
ttyinS, upon honor, that he has knowledge
or information as to the cause and circum.
stances OF the alleged detention. and that he
believes the same to be wrongful. and fur
Their, that he believes that the endorsed nett
ton Is made in good faith, ana that Justice
may be done, and not to hinder or delay the
punishment OF crime, and all persons nut I'M
der military arrests by virtue of this act shall
De tried without unnecessary delay, and no
ed
Section 4. And be it further enacted
That no sentence of any military tribunal af
fect'ng the liberty or life ofany persons shall
be executed until it is approved bv the officer
In command If the proper district. and the
laws and regulations for the government Of
the army shall not be affected bv this act ex-
eept in so far as they conflict with its proyi-
siOns.
The Washington correspondent eftbe Bal
timore S"", referring to this bill, says:
1t is said that the bill Introduced in tho
Senate to>day by Mr.. Williams to make mil
ltary 1u.e supreme in the Southern States
meets with considerable favor among the mem
oers OF the majority. 1t will secure the
ends desired, and is Invested of the cumber>
some features of the bills of Sir. Stevens and
other gentlemen.
= The Bankrupt bill was defeated in the
to