The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-12
The Administration and the South
Active Movements Towards RecOnstrc-

The Administration and the South
Active Movements Towards RecOnstrc-
tiOn.
From the Herald.
The White House, it appears, was the scene
of good deal of hustle on Saturday last ON
the important business of Southern Recon-
structOn Among the distinguished visitors
present during the morning was General
Grant who remained in consultation with the
President for quite a long time. The General
had completed letter of instructions, ap-
proved by Secretary Stanton, and which he
submitted to Mr.. Johnson for his cOnsidera-
tion, with the name of five generals for the
five military districts into which the ten ex-
Cluded Rebel States by the new law are
divided. These officers are Generals Thomas,
Sheridan, Schofeld, Sickles. Ord, or Hancock
all good men.
Meantime two enabling acts under the new
general law have been proposed i'll the Senate
one from Mr.. Sumner and the other from
Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts,. Mr.. Summers
'bill to guarantee a republican form of gov
ernment' to each of the ten outside States, and
to provide for their restoration to practicalrela-
tiOns with the Union proposes a provisional
government for each of said States, to consist
of a Governor and Legislative Council of thir-
teen, to be appointed by the President, with
the approval of the Senate, and registration
of voters by said provisional Governments
Excluding various classes of Rebels), in view
of regular State reorganization. Mr.. Will
sons bill proposes the shorter method of en-
powering the military commanders in the
premises, or, with the consent of the COM
mander in any case under his jurisdiction
that the acting Governor shall be charged with
these provisional arrangements, including a
registration of voters. Some enabling bill pro
Of
bly, be passed before the adjournment of the
present session; and Senator Wilson's plan,
substantially, we learn, is approved by the
Judiciary Committee of each House.
While these proceedings are under way in
Washington, the leading politicians and the
people of the States directly concerned are
beginning to recognize their real situation, and
are actively moving to meet its requirements.
In Virginia the Senate Of the existing Legisla-
ture has agreed upon an election of conven-
ton under the terms imposed by Congress;
while the colored population Of Richmond
have taken the initiative towards new party
organization. North and South Carolina and
Georgia are in an active state of fermentation,
while in the name of Louisiana Governor
Wells has issued proclamation that all politi-
cal elections henceforth lin the State must be
regulated by this Reconstruction law of Con-
gress. including the Acknowledgement of Rebels
and the general enfranchisement of the blacks.
He appears, however, on the charge of an un-
stitutional assumption of power in this mat
ter, to have come into collision with the exist
ing pro-Rebel Legislature-a dispute which
the forthcoming military commander over
Louisiana and Texas will most likely have to
settle.
Looking over the whole field, the idea is
entertained in Washington by intelligent par
ties that all the excluded States, from present
indications, viii be reinstated in both House,
of Congress by the lst of January next which
will give them abundant time to organize anC
shape their respective courses in regard to TN
coming Presidential election. On Saturda
night last however, on the occasion of com
plimentary serenade, the new Senator, Morton
late Governor of Indiana, said that ether
might be delays in reconstruction; but b
anticipated that in two years the South woul
be admitted to all its rights" In other words
Senator Morton thinks this great cOnsummi
tion will hardly be reached till after the Pres
dental contest of 1868; but if the States COZ
cerned. each and all, proceed actively to IL
work in meeting, in 1867, the terms of recol
struotion laid down, the dominant party wi
he compelled by Northern public opinion
omen the doors and let them in. From evel
noint of view, and in any event, the industrii
financial, social, and political interests Of u
excluded States invite them to the speedie
possible fulflment of the terms OF Congress