The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-06-18

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OPINION OF THE CABINET ON REMOVALS
FROM OFFICE BY MILITARY COMMANDERS
The Washington Intellgencer, which is
garded the Executive organ, has the following:
1--WE have authority for the statement that, at
a very recent consultation of the Cabinet. it
decided that the Military Officers. in command
of the FIVE districts into which the ten unrepre-
scented Southern States divided, have no
power to remove civil officers deriving their au-
thority from the State Governments now organ
lied. The question, understand, before the
Cabinet had more immediate reference to the re-
moval of the Governor and other civil officers of
the State of Louisiana by Gen Sheridan; but, of
course will apply to the action of the other four
Commanders. No doubt the forthcoming opinion
of the Attorney General, in accordance with the
reasoning by which, it is understood, the decision
referred to arrived at, will fully justify the
legality and propriety Of this determination.
1t scarcely need be suggested that the issuing
of orders, replacing the deposed officers (Which
may become necessary as consequence of this
decision of the Government would be no ground
for application. on the part of General Sheridan
to be relieved from the position he holds. Much
less, would it warrant the inference. that the ad
mnstration contemplates or desires his removal
for his errors. We feel authorized to say that the
speculations of sensational journals upon this
point. however they may be attempted to be sup
ported by inag neG political maneuverers. on the
part of either the friends enemies of the Gen
eral, are wholly without foundation"
The New York Herald and Tribune are furious
over the policy thus foreshadowed. The Tribune
says:
ave feel that the President is treading on dan
gerous ground, not only for himself but for the
country"
TIo Til
1t must meet with the resolute will to carry the
movement, now greater and more necessary than
ever, of impeaching and removing Andrew Johnson
from the Executive chair"
The Times says 1t may be wise to restrain such
removals for the future, but it will be grave and
practical mistake to the action taken hitler
to and still greater blunGer to remove punish
the officers for having taken it.
~ We know that there many persons who
actually need aid to keep off starvation, but it
has been long feared that the supplies distributed
by the Government would prove an iuducement
to idleness and vagrancy. We believe the
Bureau Agents, generally, have tried to discharge
their duties fairly in the distribution of supplies,
but there is no doubt that the system is having a
bad influence a certain class of persons.
The Salisbury Banner speaks as follows con-
I'VE learn that Col. Eddie, bureau Agent.) on
Monday morning last, overwhelmed by the
crowd which presented itself at his office for aid.
| He found many persons there, white and black,
WE'LL hearty, and in cases. the owners of
lands, horses, cows, &c, applying for Government
aid. When he first commenced the distribution
of provisions the number of petitioners small;
but it has increased from day to day. until no
| it has swelled to hundreds upon hundreds. The
| Colonel seems to have got the idea that the
benifcence it is his Office to confer. is becoming
| a nuisance-an encouragement to idleness. laZi-
| ness; and as this is far from the purpose of the
! Government. he constrained on Monday to
suspend the distribution of ratiors doubtless with
a view to narrowing the system to the few per-
sons strictly coming within the contemplation of
! the scheme
The Raleigh Standard makes the following re-
marks on the same subject:
..While those who really in want should be
! relieved, care should be taken that the govern
ment is not imposed upon by the idle and vicious.
1t is impos sible to decide correctly in every
but it is better to err the side of kindness than
to be close or harsh in dispensing aid The Off
GERS of the Bureau here treating the suffering
| poor with much kindness. We learn that as
many as 900 rations per day have been issued
| but it must be borne in mind that persons come
hther for aid from Granville Johnston, Harnett
| Chatham and other counties besides w axe, IN
| some cases a distance of twenty five miles. The
suffering must be great when persons walk twenty
miles for little bread and meat, and then, as In
! some Instances. tote it home.''