Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-12-05

The MILITARY DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA.

The MILITARY DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA.
The following is an extract from Gen. Grants
Report: THE first military district compri-
sas the State of Virginia, Breyet Major Gen.
J. NJ. Schofeld, commanding. In assuming
| command the principle was announced by Gen.
Schoie'd that the military power conferred by
act OF Congress on the District Commander
| would be used only SO far as was necessary to
accomplish the purpose for which the power
was conferred. The civil government was IN
terfered with only when necessary, and the
wisdom OF the policy has been demonstrated by
| the result, The instances Of complaint Of the
action Of the civil courts become exceedingly
rare. Still the evil which existed prior to the
! act Of Congress Of March 2, 1867, though miti-
was not removed. 1t was an evil in the jury
| oped BY the natural antagonism between loyal
list and Rebel, or the prtju1ice between white
| and black, existing throughout the South since
| the rebellion. The first idea was to admit
blacks on jurics and prescribe a test Of loyalty.
! But as the requirement Of a unanimous verdict
| must give very inadequate protection where
| strong prejudice OF class or caste exists, and as
| a military change of jury system would be but
temporary, it was determined to leave It's
change to the Convention soon to meet, and re
| content with a system of military commissions
| Such Commissions were appointed from officers
| Of the army and Frcedmen's Bureau for the
| different cities and counties OF the State, with
powers Of Justices Of the Peace, while the State
was divided into sub-dlstricts, under comman-
| ders whose powers were ultimately increased to
| those of Circuit j Judges, taking jurisdiction on
| lyin cases where civil authorities failed to do
justice. The system has given a large measure
| of protection 20. all classes Of citizens, with
! slight interference with the civil courts.
Since the publication of the act of March %,
1867, all elections have be en- suspended. Ex-
igting State, county and municipal officers
we're continued in Office. Vacancies have been
filled by the District Commander. the mum.
Der of removals has been five, and of appoint
ments to fill vacancies l05.
In executing the registration a board Of Off
GERS was first appointed to select registering Off
GERS. The selections were made with great care,
and the officers so selected have, with lew cx-
| captions, done their duty in the most ~satisfac-
tory manner. Carefully prepared regulations
for the Boards OF Registration were issued, be-
ing made as specific as possible, so as to secure
u uniform rule of dislranchisement throughout
the State. In prescribing them the District
Commander was controlled by the belief that
the law made him responsible for is correct
Interpretation as well as it's faithful execution.
The results of the first session of the regis
tcring boards we're all received on September
Is. One hundred and fifteen thousand and
sixty-cight whites, and one hundred and one
thousand three hundred and eighty-two col
| ored registered, one thousand six hundred
and twenty whites and two hundred and
thirty-two colored being rejected. The tax
list Of 1S6G-'67 mot quite complete) returns
white male adults, and eighty-seven thousand
colored male adults. This indicates that the
number Of whites DISTINGUISHED, or who have
failed to register, is about nineteen thousand,
and about fifteen thousand more colored men
have bacn registered than were on the tax lists.
Hence it 1aay be inferred that nearly all mae
adults, white CT colored, not DISTINGUISHED
have been registered.