Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-02-22
Friday, February 22, 1867.
THE CONGRESSIONAL RECONSTRUCTION
SCHEMES,

-
SCHEMES.
The passage in tho House of the Stevens Bill
by vote Of 100 to 55.-the passage Of th'
same Bill ii the Senate, with Sheralan's amend
mept by q cote of 20 10 lo-the rejection o
the amendment in the House, by a vote Of os
to 78..the action of the Senate, insisting upor
its amendment, and the appointment OF a COM
mittee Of conference.-the all parts Of an excl
ting Congressional drama, which during the
past week, has been attracting the eager atten
tion Of the wheIe country, hut especially oi
the Southern people who arc most immediate
Iy Interested ip the proposed legislation. A
review Of the prominent features Of the pro.
posed measures, aud the probable action in
relation thereto. would no doub. be interesting
to our readers.
The Stevens Bill, which was reported by the
Reconstruction Committee. and which passed
the House. provides for the establishment of a
military despotistn at the South. It provides
merely for the present exigency. and does moi
look to Redistribution in that respect it diff
fers from the Sherman amendment. which was
engrafted upon it in the Senate. The Rrenm-
BILE Of tho bill declares that in tho ten so-caled
Confederate States, the State Governments
were set up without the authority Of the peo-
PIE, aud afford no adequate protection 10 prop
erty and life, but encourage lawlessness and
crime. The first and second sections of the
Bill divide the so-called Sintes into five Militia.
ry Districts. and authorize the commanding
general of the are,y to appoint 10 the COM
mapd of each Of tiese districts On officer OF
the regular army, not below tho rank OF Brig
adier-G sneral Tho second and third-the
two moss Important sections ofthe Bill, are in
these words.
$50. 5. And be 1t further enacted That it
shall be the duty Of each officer assigned As
aforesaid to protect all persons in their rights
of person and property. to suppress iusurrec-
tion, disorder and violence. and to punish, or
cause to be punished, all disturbers of the pub
lie peace, and criminais; and to this end he
may allow civil tribunals TO take jurisdiction
of and try offenders, or when, in his judgment,
it may be necessary for the trial of offenders,
he shalI have power to organize military COM
missions or tribunals for that purpose, any
thing in The Constitution and laws of the So
called States TO tho contrary notwithstanding !;
and all legislative and judicial proceedings or
process 10 prevent or control the procsedir e.
Of said military tribunals. and all interference
by said pretended State Governments with
the exercise Of military authority, under this
Act shall be void and Of no effect.
$50. 4. And be Il f,.rsA<r enacted, Tha. the
courts aud judicial officers Of the United States
shk,l not issue writs of ha6eas corpus in behalf
ofpessons in military custody. unless some com
missioner or person on duty in The district
wherein the psrson is detained shall endorse
upon said petition astatement, certifying, upon
honor. that be has knowledge or information as
to the .cause and circumstances Of the alleged
detention, aad that he believes the same to be
wrongiulj and further, that he believes that
the eudorsed petition is prefsrred in good filth
and in furtherAhee ofjustice. and not to hinder
or delay the puhishment of crime. All persons
put under military arrest by virtue Of this Act
shall be tried without unnecessary delay, and
no cruel or unusual pr.;s:,..su;; shall be in
hieted."
The fifth section provides that no sentence
Of military commission affecting life or li5er-
ty, shall bo executed without the approval of
the officer commanding the district.
In the Senate after much discussion, the Bill
passed with an amendment offered by Sherman
as substitute for one of substantially the Same
character proposed BY Blaine.
Shsrman:s substitute has preamble and mill.
tary district provisions similar TO Stevens's
Bill, only the Presiden. instead of the General
appoints officers, and tho death penalty requires
the approval Of The President Hdbeus corpus
is not suspsnded. beyond all interference of the
State authority with the military authority
being nullified. Section s. is as follows.
= "When any rebel State shall form a Consti-
.Hs;o:, ef.sa: |Trs:ed States, framed by "a Con-
"sssea q iE.s&r.>s .!s:.-.: by male citizens
Ri ysars of.age without regard 10 race or col
or. or previous copdition. resident in the State
one year, except persons disqualified BY par
ticipaton in the rebellion or BY felony; aud
when the Constitution shall provide that tbs
elective franchise shall be enjoyed Ly all per-
sons qualified TO vote for delegates, and ha.
been ratified BY a majority of the electors
who voted for delegates, and submitted 10 Con.
gsess and approved, and when the State Legis
laturc elected under said Constitution adop,
the constitutional amendment, and ssid amend
ment becornss part OF the National Constitu-
tion. said State shall be declared entitled te
representation, and Senators and Represents
'iyss thsrefron, shall 30 admitted on taking
shs oath required BY Law. -
This amendment hse been rejected IN III.
House, and aeonnnittss Of conference appoint
cd but With DO prospect Of secsneiling ex:s,ips
ddfsrances. y rFhefe efeAt oriths Sdissgreemen B
!" supposed viii be 10 apFsyeat any lssiai..ior
on the subject during the present session Tbi,
it is said, Is looked upon. ~ : copssryaliv tri:
unph--thas Bingham, Banks, and Other r.
publieaus fayor the plan. xhirh is ,nox, befor
the North Csrolina Legf.lature--snd tho
prominent nisn believe that The adoption Of III
proposed amendment ~ The; State. avill d
much ID Strengthen the hands Of fths'C CenssryA