Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-02-16
Anew Plan OF Reconstruction.

Representative Williams, on the End,
introduced into the House the follow
ing, which was referred to the Recon
struction Committee:
A bill to provide for more sufficient
government for the insurreetionary
states: Whereas the pretended state gov
ernments of the late so-called confede-
rate states of Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi,
Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Texas and
Arkansas, were set up without the au-
thority of Congress, and are therefore
without constitutional validity; and
whereas they are in the hands of and
under the control of the unrepentant
leaders of the rebellion, and afford no
adequate protection to life and proper.
ty, but countenance and encourage law
lessness and crime, and whereas it is
necessary that peace and good order
should be enforced IN said so-called
states until loyal snd republican gov
ernments can be legally formed; there
fore be it enacted, &C., &C., that each
of the said SO. called states shall consti-
tute military district, to be subject to
the military authority of the United
States as herein enacted and prescribed.
Sec 2. That it shall be the duty of the
General of the army, under the authority OF
the President of the United State, to assign
to the command of said districts, an officer OF
the regular army not below the rank OF
Brigadier General TO furnish such othcer
with military force sufficient to enable him
to perform his duties and enforce his author
ity within the district to which he is assigned.
Sec g.. That it shall be the duty OF each
officer assigned as aforesid, to protect all
peaceable and law-biding citizens in their
rights of person and property; to suppress
insurrection, disorder and violence, and pun
ish or cause to be punished. all disturbers OF
the public peace, az criminals. To this end
he NAV allow the local tribunals to take ju-
risdietion and try offenders, or when IN his
Judgment it be necessary for the trial OF Of
| Tenders, he shall have power to organize a
military commission or tribunal for that pur-
purpose, anything in the constitutions and
laws of said so-called states to the contrary
outstanding, and all interference by said
pretended governments with the exercise OF
the military authority under this act shall
be void and OF no effect.
Sec A. That courts and judicial officers Of
the United States may issue Wits OF habeas
corpus in behalf of prisoners in military GUS
tody, only when some commissioned ofncer
on duty in the district where the petition or
iginates shall endorse on said petition
statement certifying upon honor that he has
knowledge or information as to the cause and
circumstances of the alleged detention, and
believes the same to be wrongful, and that be
believes the endorsed petition is made in
good faith, and that justice may be done,
and not hinder or delay the punishment of
crime. And all persons put under military
arrest by virtue of this act, shall be tried
without unnecessary delay, and no cruel or
unusual punishment shall be inflicted.
SEQ. That no sentence of any military tri-
Dunal effecting the liberty or life OF any per-
son shall be executed until approved by the
officer in command of the proper district, and
laws and regulations of the army shall not
be effected by this act, except so far as they
conflict with its provisions.