The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-02-28
VIOLATIONS orthe CIviI Rights Law.

monthly wages and rations."
Violations oftIle Civil Rights Law.
The President sent to the Senate a
message in answer to a resolution re-
questing him to inform that body il
any violations of the Civil Rights Bill
have come to his knowledge, and if so
what steps, If any, have been taken by
him to enforce the law, and punish
the offenders The President says
"Not being cognizant of any cases
which come within the province of the
resolution, in order that the inquiry
might have the fullest range, ] re-
ferred it to the head of the several ex-
ecutive departments, whose reports
are herewith communicated for the
information of the Senate. With the
exception of the cases mentioned in
the reports of the Secretary of War
and the Attorney General, no viola
lions, real or supposed, of the act to
which the resolution refers have at any
time come to the knowledge Of the
Executive. The steps taken in those
cases to enforce the law appear in
those reports.
Secretary Stanton reports but three
violations of the law, as follows:
"First, the case of DR.. Watson, for
the murder of negro in the depart
ment of Virginia, who, after his dis
charge by civil tribunal, was put on
trial before a military commission,
which was Dissolved on the ground of
the want of Jurisdiction under the de-
cision of the Supreme Court; second,
the case of William Fincher, person
of color, sentenced to the changing
in Georgia as vagabond, which was
referred to the Attorney General, and
is now under his direction and charge !;
third, the case of Perkins, in the State
O. Texas, where protection to a colored
man from alleged illegal acts under
color of civil authority was afforded
by the Assistant Commissioner of the
Freedmen's Bureau, and his action APP
proved by the War Department"
The heads Of other departments
report no violations of the law, but
the Attorney General says that case
has been referred to him by the Sec
rotary of War, which may involve a
violation of the provision Of the act
which forbids discrimination against
people of color, under the penal laws
of the States. 1t is the case of William
Fincher, person Of color, in the
State of Georgia 1t appears that the
Attorney General addressed letter
to the United States Attorney for Geo
gia, instructing him to inquire into
and Immediately report the substantial
circumstances Of this case, the law and
practice of Georgia in full touching
the matter, and full abstract of the
record of the prosecution throughout,
stating particularly whether, and if SO
..,l.u.. s..1a LS-. a. ~---- - 49, "a
Indicated by the highest appellate
court of the State having jurisdiction
of the matter ssYou will understand Il
he adds, "that unless your report shall
show that it is entirely impracticable,
the object of the President is to have
the matter brought forward for adju
by the Supreme Court of the
United States. No report has yet
been received from the attorney, owing
to the absence of material witnesses.
The Attorney General says he is not
advised of any other case which re-
quires Executive action under those
sections which have been enumerated,
or under any other section of the Civ
l Rights Bill.