Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-02-22
RECONSTRUCTION.
Military Government Bill.

the ratification of the Constitutional Am
endment, as conditions precedent to their
admission to representation.
The following is a synopsis Of Mr.. Sher-
mans substitute for Dir. Stevens bill, as
it passed the Senate:
The preamble declares that no legal
State governments or adequate protection
for life or pr operty exist in the rebel States
of Virginia, North Carolina, South Caro-
lima, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Lou.
isiana, Florida, Texas and Arkansas and
that it is necessary that peace and good
order should be enforced until loyal and
republican State governments can be le-
gally established.
Section divides the States named into
five military districts, as in the original
bill. ners.s
Sectionl2 makes il the duty Of the Pres
dent to assign to command In each dis
trict an officer Of tho army not below the
rank of Brigadier General, and to detail a
sufficient military force 10 enforce his au.
thority within the district, &c.
GCttlou thahSo ~ tAc uutl VI sum Va
fcor TO protect all persons in their rights
Of person and property, to suppress insur-
rection, disorder and violence, and TO pun
ish or eause to be punished all disturbers
Of the public peace and all criminals. lie
may allow the local aud civil tribunals to
try and punish offenders, or organize COM
mittecs or tribunals for that purpose. All
interference and State authority is docla-
red null and void
Section provides that all persons ar.
rested shall DO tried without unnecessary
delay. No cruel or unusual punishment
shall DO inflicted, md no sentence affect
ing life or liberty shall be executed until
approved by the commander Of the district.
Section provides that when the people
Of any one Of said States shall have form
ed constitution and government in con-
formity with tho Constitution Of the Uni
tod States In all respects, framed by con-
vontion of delegates elected by tho male
citizens Of said State twenty.one years old
and upward, Of whatever race, color or
previous condition, who have been resi-
dents in said State for one year previous
to the day of said election, except such as
may be DISTINGUISHED for participation in
the rebellion, or for felony at common
law, and when such constitution shall pro-
vide that the elective franchise shall be
enjoyed by all such persons as have the
qualifications herein stated for electors of
delegates; and when such constitution
shall be ratified by a majority Of persons
voting on the question Of ratification who
are qualified as electors for delegates; and
when such constitution shall have been
submitted to Congress for examination
and approval. and Congress shall have up
proved the same and when said State, by
a vote Of its Legislature elected under
said constitution. shall have adopted the
amendment to the Constitution Of the Uni
ted States proposed by the Thirty.ninth
Congress, and known as Article H. and
when said article shall have been declared
part of the Constitution Of the United
States, said State shall be entitled to rep
resentatives in Congress, and Senators
and Representatives shall be admitted
therefrom on their taking the oath pre-
scribed by law and then and thereafter
the preceding sections of this act shall be
imperative in said State.
In the House, when the bill came from
the Senate in the shape Of an amendment
to the House military bill, Mr.. Stevens
moved to non.concur in il. A general
debate then opened. Mcssrs. Boutwell,
and Stevens denounced the Senate plan,
while Messrs. Blaine, Bingham. Wilson,
Ainsworth and Baker favored it. The
Democrats did not participate in the de-
bate, but voted with Stevens and twenty
five other Republicans against ordering
the previous question.
The House met promptly at il o'clock
on the 10Th inst, aud in pursuance of the
agreement made, proceeded to vote at once
on the question of accepting tho Senate
Reconstruction bill in lieu Of the one
which passed the House. The vote stood
20 to 90. Every Democrat but Rousseau
voted against the bill. n
The result was Immediately sent to the
Senate, with the request that Conference
Committee adjust the disagreement. The
bill was Immediately taken up in the SEN
ate, where three hours debate followed.
Finally the Senate refused the Conference
Committee, aud sent tho bill back to tho
House, Insisting on its passage.
The House then refused TO reconsider
rs vote disogicciug 10 tho Senate bin, and
thus matters were brought to dead lock.
Referring to the situation Of affairs, the
Commercial Of Wednesday last sOys;
The Thad. Stevens faction have now
reached q condition in which VIC presume
they may have perfect happiness They
are at war with every branch Of the Gov.
ernment, except the House, aud hold
precarious majority In that body, by Mc
help Of NE Democratic members, who arc
keen volunteers in mischief. making. They
have swung completely around the circle.
Tho President, the Supreme Court and
tho Senate, arc against them, aud IL Is
likely that Mr.. Stevens will presently take
tho lead not only IN m effort to impcaeL
the President, aud 10 disorgauize the Su.
prone Court, but that lo will bring ia
bill 10 substitute q court martial, tho OH.
eers to be appointed by tho Speaker Of
tho ilouss 10 tale the place Of the Sen.
ate.